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.

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超越阈限：Yewande Omotoso 的 Bom Boy

Yewande Omotoso 的小说 Bom Boy (2011) 以主角 Leke 的成长为中心，因此与成长小说的体裁有关。然而，Leke 感到孤立无援，并且正在努力寻找自我。这部小说利用其叙事形式来应对南非的挑战，因为莱克的成长受阻是当代南非社会的象征。通过其人物网络和他们移动的空间，小说不仅解决了基于种族和阶级的划分，而且还涉及移民的经历。此外，“超现代”全球化的影响会加剧孤立、排斥和不平等。最后，就像勒克难以接受过去一样，社会处理历史的方式也被认为是有问题的。