Things Fall Apart
"A true classic of world literature . . . A masterpiece that has inspired generations of writers in Nigeria, across Africa, and around the world." --Barack Obama
"African literature is incomplete and unthinkable without the works of Chinua Achebe." --Toni Morrison Nominated as one of America's best-loved novels by PBS's The Great American Read Things Fall Apart is the first of three novels in Chinua Achebe's critically acclaimed African Trilogy. It is a classic narrative about Africa's cataclysmic encounter with Europe as it establishes a colonial presence on the continent. Told through the fictional experiences of Okonkwo, a wealthy and fearless Igbo warrior of Umuofia in the late 1800s, Things Fall Apart explores one man's futile resistance to the devaluing of his Igbo traditions by British political andreligious forces and his despair as his community capitulates to the powerful new order. With more than 20 million copies sold and translated into fifty-seven languages, Things Fall Apart provides one of the most illuminating and permanent monuments to African experience. Achebe does not only capture life in a pre-colonial African village, he conveys the tragedy of the loss of that world while broadening our understanding of our contemporary realities.BUY THE BOOK
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Community Reviews
This was very different from what I usually read and while it is not the first one that touches on issues of race it is the first one I have read that touches on colonialism as it is happening instead of post-colonialism. I enjoyed the very straightforward narration of the novel as it kept the story constantly flowing and how Achebe intertwined folklore stories to help move it along. I did think the last half of the novel happened very quickly and was wrapped up before I was ready, however, I enjoyed the genius that was the last two pages which commented on how the Commissioner would frame the main character Okonkwo's story as if the whole novel wasn't Okonkwo's story which helps to re-emphasize the main points and truths of the novel.
This book teaches you a lot about traditions in Africa. You get a glimpse of the daily life of Africans from different tribes.
Chinua Achebe is one of my favourite authors. This book is so emotional. It's written just right before Nigeria is colonised by Britain. You feel the loss of their culture and the irreversible effects of colonialism.
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