Beyond the sensationalism, there is one exposition Yvonne Nelson’s “I am Not Yvonne Nelson” brings to our notice; we are ignorant of the fact that the book industry factually falls under the umbrella of creative art.
Why?
Following the release of the book,
I am yet to see any media outfit’s ENTERTAINMENT/SHOWBIZ programme dedicating enough time to review it in a manner as other creative works are reviewed.
Through it all, I have been asking myself this simple question
“Why hasn’t any media chosen to (rather than to discuss how someone has been or can be affected (whichever way) by a narrative that gives account of specific events in the author’s life (what a memoir is!), chosen to constitute a deserving panel to review the book—its content, style, literary impact, production, economic impact etc?”. It saddens my heart that an extremely minor part of the storyline in the book is what major media portals have subjected the review to. Yes, we can’t run away from its impact on our socio-moral-cultural setting. However, where are the programmes to review the book in a standard way?
Apart from one renowned radio station in Accra (at least that I am aware of) that has dedicated an hour for literary content why can’t traditional media outfits (with impact on society) deliberately create a content for literary reviews, conversations, reading etc, besides the always usual campaign or call for our society to be a reading one?
At least, if not at all this is what “I AM NOT YVONNE NELSON” has come to expose—in light of the fact that all the reviews done so far about the book are from showbiz point of view, not literarily.
Yes, I agree. It may not necessarily fetch money immediately to run literary programmes on air (maybe later) but it surely shall cause a very positive impact if our traditional media should invest in creating such literary contents. Yes, impact which the media outfit shall be proud of in the immediate future if not now.
Whiles we wait for this heaven to descend onto earth, fellows, it is indeed just FAIR to congratulate Yvonne (confused which surname to use after a successful and interesting read of her book) for the outstanding goodwill she has given the literary landscape, result not even national agencies and literary organizations/associations have not been successful in delivering—to cause national discussion around book; to cause indiscernible crave for citizens to read (however short or long the time) and most importantly reminding us all of the potency of book; a fact that has lived from the beginning of times.
What more about the book? I was astonished to find out that all the artists behind it (content creation, design, editing, proofreading, publishing on Amazon and other online etc) were indigenous personalities (Ghanaians). Come on! This book tells more than the story of a beautiful damsel with the bravery of a lion—bold to defy the norm to even tell her ‘must-be-hidden-mess’ towards shaping the society; it tells of the power of the Ghanaian artists when it comes to causing a meaningful stir even at the global stage. “I AM NOT YVONNE NELSON” was among the best Amazon sellers, this is evident.
So I ask “What prevents this review, which has proven to be a literary trailblazer, at least in the time of a new generation? That which adds more to literary activism waged decades back”.
Whatever the reason, I draw the curtain here and yet let me remind us all that writing too is creative art (FINE ART) just as music & film are. Stop orphaning it in its rightful home (ministry of creative arts….) hoping its adopted home (ministry of education) deserves to see its growth.
Nii Okaikoi Okaitei (Oswald)
Poet/playwright/literary activist;
Executive Director, Read Ghana Read Consult
5.07.2023
