BOOK REVIEW: Caricature of Colors

Title: Caricature of Colors
Genre: Poetry
Author: Olanrewaju Oranyeli
Publisher: CreateSpace
Year of Publication: August, 2017
Number of Pages: 136
ISBN:  978-1546444114
REVIEWER: Oyindamola Shoola

"Olanrewaju has penned words that authenticate human emotions while concurrently guiding the reader to draw wisdom from experiences. With superb use of imagery, Olanrewaju kidnaps a reader's attention from reality into his expressions. He effortlessly succeeds to create human existence in different hues." 

Caricature of Colors gives an outstanding perception to value. In a poem titled "Possessed" (page 14) Olanrewaju writes; 
"...for I'd always wanted to find something with someone
but not someone with something..."

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Furthermore, in Caricature of Colors, you will find humor that is not strange to the African culture. In a poem that discusses relationships and marriage, Olanrewaju writes of an aunt's concern about the woman that he may bring home. She says;
"Don't bring a masquerade home
with long nails and lips that glow
beautiful to look at in the day when she naps
until the bight comes and she starts a dancing ritual..."

In another stanza of this poem titled "Masquerades", Olanrewaju writes;
"She has so much stuffed in those clothes
a frown, some grudges and even a few farts..." (Page 22)

This poem is honest to the expectations that many African elders have for their children's lovers. I also see the influence of Tolu Akinyemi's poems and a sprinkle of the Halima series in some of Olanrewaju's works. 

In another poem titled "Wahala" (Page 32), a Yoruba word translated as trouble or a terrible mess, Olanrewaju paints the insecurities of love in a lighthearted way. Just like in Luvvie Ajayi's "I'm Judging You", Olanrewaju  doesn't write didactically in a way that punishes a reader. However, with wisdom, and humor, one can learn morals from his works without any form of guilt. 

Caricature of colors is divided into 5 palettes; Yellow, Mint, Grey, Blue, and Orange. The themes of this anthology include, friendship, love, motivation, goals and life's pursuits, self-discovery, time, and death.

I am so proud to say that this book is one of very few poetry collections that represents Nigerian poetry in a distinguishing way. I admire Caricature of Colors and it is a unique collection that transcends into the hues of our humanity and growth.

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