James Hadley Chase novels bounce back with Nigerian flair

On Friday, July 16, at The Palms Shopping Mall Lekki, Great Books of Africa organized its grand opening with a launch of James Hadley Chase novels in Nigeria. The event, which took at the Hub Media Bookstore, had many publishers and fans of the crime fiction series in attendance.

The event was anchored by an on air radio personality, Gbemileke Oscar Oyinsan, who thrilled the audience with his jokes and stories. It started with an introduction of the guests such as Chairman of the Good Books Africa, Gbenro Adegbola; Marketing Manager, Good Books Africa, Mrs. Oyefeso; and artists such as Timi Dakolo, winner of West African Idols.

Good Books Africa is a new publishing company, which operates nationwide. According to Mr. Adegbola, the company's "major aim is to promote and encourage the reading culture among Nigerian youth." In fulfilling this mission, therefore, the company decided to re-introduce the works of James Hadley Chase, notably one of the best British writers in the 1970s; and whose books were popular with Nigerian readers in the 1980s. "Hadley Chase is an interesting writer," he said. "He writes simple, correct grammatical sentences. Generations of young men and women have to learn to write very correct sentences. This is the reason we thought of bringing back his novels to this present generation so that they could learn logical thinking through reading detective novels."

The launch offered a raffle draw for purchase of the books. Mr. Adegbola explained that the rationale behind this was "to encourage the reading culture among youths in our country, we want to capture (readers) with good and interesting stories, as well as through the introduction of promos and consolidated prizes, when they purchase any novels of James Hadley Chase." The raffle draw winners will be announced in September, with the star prize winner winning a 2009 Kia Picanto. Consolation prizes include: refrigerators, television sets, laptops, and digital cameras.

James Hadley Chase

James Hadley Chase was born in London in 1906. The son of Colonel Francis Raymond, a member of the army, Chase was expected to follow in his father's steps, which he did briefly when during World War II he served in the Royal Air Force, eventually achieving the rank of Squadron Leader. Before this, however, he had left home at age 18 to start out on his own, working as a children's encyclopedia salesman, and as book wholesaler before embarking on his writing career. James Hadley Chase published his first novel titled, ‘No Orchids for Miss Blandish' in 1939. He went on to produce over 80 novels, 20 of which have been adapted into movies, including more popular titles such as: ‘You Are Lonely When You Are Dead,' ‘Just a Matter of Time,' ‘Knock, Knock! Who's There,' ‘Goldfish Have No Hiding Place,' among many others works. Chase died on February 6, 1985.

The unveiling

This session was anchored by winner of the first West African Idol, Timi Dakolo, who gave a short speech before the unveiling of the books, extolling Good Books Africa for its initiative in publishing the books in Nigeria, "Right from my young age, I have always been a big fan of (James Hadley Chase) novels, everyone present here should also read his books," he said. Eleven of the more famous Hadley Chase titles were unveiled with markedly different book covers, which features Nigerian models in less provocative poses than the originals, which were notorious for featuring scantily clad European models.

A number of the models gracing the paperback covers were introduced during a photo session following the unveiling, each holding a copy of the book, with their pictures on the front cover.

Excerpts were read from three of the novels by musician and jewellery maker, Jodie. After the reading, opportunities were given the audience to answer questions, and win free copies of the books. Mrs Bidemi, one of the lucky winners, expressed her appreciation, saying, "Though I am not a fan of James Hadley Chase, these will encourage me to read his books." Mr. Adegbola, perhaps reacting to criticisms about failing to encourage new Nigerian writing, declared that Good Books Africa will, besides publishing old favourites, also henceforth seek to promote new and established local writers.