Elvis Gbanabom Hallowell est un écrivain dont l'œuvre explore les complexités des sciences sociales et de la littérature. Sa formation académique, y compris un doctorat et un MFA, informe ses explorations réfléchies et nuancées de ses sujets choisis. L'écriture de Hallowell se caractérise par un engagement profond envers ses thèmes, offrant aux lecteurs une perspective profonde et perspicace.
The stories in the anthology flash different pictures of being in their unique time capsules. The writers have examined the toll the collective human trauma has taken and brought on board on the Sierra Leonean way of life, a way of life that now requires a new way of life. 'In the Belly of the Lion' represents the voices of the generation of writers whose works came of age in the middle of the war and after...
In a West African university campus, a battle of wit and love is at the center stage of interaction and academic growth for students in the English Honours class. Propelled by a professor's liberal approach to learning, students are challenged to take their destinies into their own hands. A Case of Four Pillows is a romantic drama centered around four lovers in an intricate mesh of destiny over desire and a twisted bend in the curves of human affairs on the anvil of real life experience. "Gbanabom-Hallowell is able to spin out a play that is laden with poetic lines...a splash of...fitting allusions... he is able to deploy contrast in order to play out the action for all to see." Abdulai Walon-Jalloh, author of the play, Hungry Vultures
"Gbanabom Hallowell's poems are free flowing and he delivers them with flourish, aplomb, and satirical agility. His poems do not lack the classic surrealism, which are pertinent to poems of anguish. Reading Hallowell seems to confirm that beyond art form, poetry can be a soul-searching vehicle that offers a glimpse into the conscience of mankind, a nation and a poet's mindset---some form of refractive mirror. He has met the litmus test of having transcended the threshold that all aspiring poets must accost, which American poet and critic, M. L. Rosenthal, says, "was to practice the art of poetry on as high a level as possible, and with much honesty as possible." -Oseloka Obaze, Critic and Author of Regarscent Past: a collection of poems.
1) "Prominent in [The Art of the Lonely Wanderer] is the journey motif, the desire, if not obsession with leaving one's homeland in search of a more stabled and prosperous, society. Working with this trope, Gbanabom Hallowell explores the interconnections between geographical space and individual and national identity within the conflicting and paradoxical contexts of staying and leaving, and memory and forgetting. A traumatic society confronting the legacies of its past, the journey is metaphorically one of self-discovery, of retracing the lost pathways, restoring lost values, addressing the causes of the societal malaise, engaging the social uncertainties and political anxieties of the present, and reclaiming the soul of the nation." Ernest Cole, author of 'Theorizing the Disfigured Body: Mutilation, Amputation, and Disability Culture in Post-Conflict Sierra Leone' 2) "Hallowell creates intense suspense and humour in his poems......a logical progression of thoughts and ideas. His lines are complex, but work efficiently in their originality." Bakar Mansaray, author of 'A Suitcase Full of Dried Fish and Other Stories' (SLWS 2015) 3) "Gbanabom Hallowell's [The Art of the Lonely Wanderer] is a masterpiece; elusive and dual: there is the conscious and the subconscious interplay in the persona's psyche that is dragging me along in this drift...this trance..." Philip Yamba Thullah, Njala University, Sierra Leone
Recurring themes of exploration and connection to nature define this collection, where the poet gazes through windows into expansive landscapes and seascapes, including the Lion Mountains. The imagery evokes a deep engagement with the environment, as the poet listens to the sounds of rivers, birds, and the voices of his people. Gbanabom Hallowell expresses a profound sense of duty as a poet to his homeland, highlighting the interplay between personal reflection and national identity.
Focusing on the complexities of African politics and Sierra Leonean society, this collection of essays explores knowledge production, higher education politics, nationhood, and the challenges of democracy and human rights. It delves into the significance of literary arts, cultural values, and media's role within African contexts, prompting critical discussions on these vital issues. Through its in-depth analysis, the book offers valuable insights into the post-conflict landscape of Sierra Leone and broader African experiences.
Exploring the complexities of love, this collection features a diverse array of romantic and heartbreak poems that blend emotional depth with philosophical insights. It captures the essence of love's highs and lows, ranging from choleric and erotic themes to moments of joy and sorrow. With vivid imagery, the poems resonate with both lonely hearts and those seeking solace, offering a rich tapestry of feelings that serve as a universal love potion. Each piece invites readers to reflect on the multifaceted nature of love.
