Moving Beyond the Liminal: Yewande Omotoso’s Bom Boy

Yewande Omotoso’s novel Bom Boy (2011), is centred on the coming-of-age of its protagonist Leke and, therefore, is related to the genre of the Bildungsroman. Leke, however, feels isolated and is struggling to find his sense of self. The novel draws upon its narrative form to engage with South Africa’s challenges, as Leke’s hindered coming-of-age is symbolic of contemporary South African society. By means of its network of characters and the spaces they move in, the novel addresses not only divisions based on race and class, but also the experience of immigration. Furthermore, isolation, exclusion and inequality are suggested to be reinforced by the influence of “supermodern” globalisation. Finally, just like Leke has difficulties coming to term with his past, the way history is dealt with in society is imagined to be problematic. Both Leke and South Africa find themselves in a liminal state.