Byanyiko keeps his readers involved in each of the stories that make up the collection, wanting to turn the next page
A book, Beautiful Thief & Other Stories, has been described as “a mix of the sweet, the sour and the seductive in a stirring literary picnic.
Mr Iheanyi Iwuofor, who reviewed the book, authored by Alex Abesadu Byanyiko, said this while delivering his paper at the book’s public presentation and launching held on June 12, 2022, at the Raw Materials Research & Development Council, Maitama Abuja.
He said Byanyiko’s use of vernacular in simple-flowing prose shows promising literary ability.
“And he also showed searching eyes even in the most mundane stories like that of the extra cheeky boy in Aflame and Boys Can Be Broken Too.”
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Adding that Byanyiko’s work talks at us for social consciousness in the anti-corruption stories, he adds: “Though they only sound inspirational and not factual in a morally blunted society like ours. But even as we suspend our incredulity for a while, the brash climax of The Servant, the gripping hold of Runaway Angel, and White Sheep speak of talent unfolding like a flower in an early sunrise. And I think it is beautiful to behold.”
The President of the Abuja Writers Forum (AWF), Dr Emman Shehu, said: “The thinking that science is more important than arts is the greatest fallacy that you can find in the world.”
He said this at the book launch of Byanyiko’s debut collection of short stories.
He said if you checked the indices, the greatest countries in the world are those that have the best literature. And he added that there is a connection between science and arts because they all come from the imagination of man.
He gave an instance of a writer, Arthur C. Clarke who said what if we could throw something out of the world and we were able to communicate through those things and it is because of that that today we have satellite communications.
Dr Shehu added that ideas rule the world and ideas come from thinking, writing and publishing.
He charged all well-meaning Nigerians who have the wherewithal to support literature in Nigeria because a country with vibrant literature easily attains desirable development and, or advancement.
Mrs Andrea Gaza Gbefwi, who presented Beautiful Thief and Other Stories, and who also represented her husband, a member representing Karu, Keffi and Kokona Federal Constituency, Rt. Honourable Gaza Jonathan Gbefwi, at the book launch, said that Byanyiko had given people the reason to read by publishing his book which she described as a short burst of imaginative engagements.
She said in 5 pages, 6 pages Byanyiko keeps his readers involved in each of the stories that make up the collection. “Alex gets you wanting to turn the next page…”
While expressing profound appreciation for Byanyiko’s work, Mrs Gbefwi encouraged the Abuja Writers Forum (AWF), the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) and other literary organizations to go to schools and teach teachers the art of creative writing so that in turn, they could also teach their own students how to write effectively.
Professor Andrew Ezadueyan Zamani, a professor of clinical psychology with the Nasarawa State University and the current President-Elect, of the Pan African Union of Psychologists, said Byanyiko is a survivor of a people who appeared to be endangered, that is the Gbgagyi people of central Nigeria.
He said this while delivering his keynote address at the book launch. He added that Byanyiko had shown that the Gbagyi people could thrive. He encouraged everyone to get a copy of his book to find out what the author had in mind when he wrote the Beautiful Thief.
Chairman of the Occasion, Honourable Ezekiel Dalhatu Musa, who spoke through a representative, Honourable Andrew Gwani, encouraged Byanyiko to keep up the good work as, by doing so, he would go down in history as a reference point to many generations to come.
Minority Leader, Distinguished Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda, MFR, through his S.A Admin, Mr Julius Gado, commended Byanyiko for a job well done and assured the author of every necessary support going forward. He said they were proud of Byanyiko’s work and encouraged all the people present to support such an effort.
Mr Gado advised the author to put his trust in God, never look back and not despise his days of small beginnings for such was the way to greatness.