REVIEW: A BOOK THAT NEVER DIES II( the creation story)

INTRODUCTION

“A BOOK THAT NEVER DIES II (the creation story)” is a narrative poem by J.Y.Frimpong. The poem is noted by its simplicity and also by its semi cosmic atmosphere. The poem tells of how Nyame created the world and the jealousies of his brother, Bonsam.

“A BOOK THAT NEVER DIES II” is the 2^nd of 3 poem which constitutes the “A BOOK THAT NEVER DIES trilogy, the first one titled “The Myth of the Rainmaker” and the last one also titled “The End of the World.” The poem is inspired by J.Y.Frimpong’s favourite poem “The Raven” which was written by “Edgar Allan Poe”, the Greek mythology and also by “Tales from the Arabian Night” and as such borrow much of its theme and direction from the works mentioned above.

SYNOPSIS

 The poem follows an unnamed narrator and an unnamed nephew on a night where both parties discusses myth and tales from “A BOOK THAT NEVER DIES.” This myth and tale is about the poet’s rendition of how the world was created.

In the beginning, the poem makes us aware of a God called “Chaos” who undergoes mitosis to birth to Nyame and Bonsam. As these two were born, the latent perspective of good and evil are also introduced to the world. The poem also makes us aware that during Chaos’ reign, the world was without form and was void. After Nyame and Bonsam were born, things began to change. Nyame wanted to create something of his own kind but then Bonsam being greedy wanted to remain special and was against the whole principle of (re)creation.

Nyame does not get perturbed by his brother’s jealousy. He however visit Asaase Yaa and tells her His quest of creating a world. Asaase Yaa agrees and allow God to build her world inside her. After the world had been created, Bonsam sees his brother’s handwork, gets jealous and vows to destroy and rule over his brother’s creation. The poem however ends on a sudden note and the reader is left in the middle of the sea as to what will happen next; as whether Bonsam was going to succeed in his dubious agenda or not.

POETIC STRUCTURE

 The poem is made up of 7 stanzas of 8 lines each. The poem has no rhyming schemes. It however borrows heavily from the Greek mythodology, the Biblical creation story and the Asante traditional folklore. 

RATING : 65%

Emma K. Smith = 8 (A+)

Amma Konadu = 5 (C) 

Average = 6.5



I DEDICATE THIS POEM TO 2 PEOPLE "IMMANUELLA NYARKO" AND ALSO TO THE ONE THAT NEVER DIES (GOD)