Things Fall Apart and Related Readings

by Chinua Achebe

Things Fall Apart
The choice: traditional or alien culture?
novel by Chinua Achebe
The Second Coming
A vision of society's breakdown
poem by William Butler Yeats
Genesis 22: 1-19
The Sacrifice of Isaac Father, son, and God's will
the Bible
Mother Was a Great Man
The story of a strong Ibo woman
short story by Catherine
Obianuju Acholonu
Prayer to Masks
A promise of the masked spirits
poem by Leopold Sedar Senghor
Shooting an Elephant
The dirty work of empires
essay by George Orwell
The Significance of a Veteran's Day
How to survive "progress"
poem by Simon Ortiz
Able, Baker, Charlie, Dog
An officer and his loving daughter
short story by Stephanie Vaughn
Exiles
Where can you go when you must go away?
poem by Mark Strand

Genres: Classics, Fiction, Africa, School

222 pages, Hardcover

Published March 25, 1996

About the author

Works, including the novel Things Fall Apart (1958), of Nigerian writer Chinua Achebe describe traditional African life in conflict with colonial rule and westernization.

This poet and critic served as professor at Brown University. People best know and most widely read his first book in modern African literature.

Christian parents in the Igbo town of Ogidi in southeastern Nigeria reared Achebe, who excelled at school and won a scholarship for undergraduate studies. World religions and traditional African cultures fascinated him, who began stories as a university student. After graduation, he worked for the Nigerian broadcasting service and quickly moved to the metropolis of Lagos. He gained worldwide attention in the late 1950s; his later novels include No Longer at Ease (1960), Arrow of God (1964), A Man of the People (1966), and Anthills of the Savannah (1987). Achebe defended the use of English, a "language of colonizers," in African literature. In 1975, controversy focused on his lecture An Image of Africa: Racism in Conrad's "Heart of Darkness" for its criticism of Joseph Conrad as "a bloody racist."

When the region of Biafra broke away from Nigeria in 1967, Achebe, a devoted supporter of independence, served as ambassador for the people of the new nation. The war ravaged the populace, and as starvation and violence took its toll, he appealed to the people of Europe and the Americas for aid. When the Nigerian government retook the region in 1970, he involved in political parties but witnessed the corruption and elitism that duly frustration him, who quickly resigned. He lived in the United States for several years in the 1970s, and after a car accident left him partially disabled, he returned to the United States in 1990.

Novels of Achebe focus on the traditions of Igbo society, the effect of Christian influences, and the clash of values during and after the colonial era. His style relied heavily on the Igbo oral tradition, and combines straightforward narration with representations of folk stories, proverbs, and oratory. He also published a number of short stories, children's books, and essay collections. He served as the David and Marianna Fisher university professor of Africana studies at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, United States.

ollowing a brief illness, Achebe died.

Reviews

[sophia (taylor’s version) · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was fine. it’s not the worst thing i’ve had to read for class but definitely not the best

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like I should give this book a higher rating since it's so acclaimed. And I can certainly understand how 50 years ago when this was first published it probably broke new ground in telling the story of the African tribes. Achebe does a wonderful job of exemplifying the tribal customs that create their "law" and why they would make certain decisions to appease their gods to ensure a good crop which in turn ensures the survival of the tribal community. But until the European missionaries come to really throw their world off balance I found it hard book to really engage in.

The white men, as usual, impose their laws and government which eventually leads to a tragic end.

And I have to agree with one other Goodreads reviewer who calls out that there are story lines that go no where without any explanation (why is Ezinma taken to the cave???).

I suspect I will think about this book over the next few days - we'll see if I need to come back to this site to revise!!

[sam · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Mark Malone · Rating 3 out of 5]

I rate this book 3 of 5 — GOOD. Not sure why this book is so acclaimed. Perhaps the tragedy of European colonization and the cruel subjugation of people all over the world is so well known nowadays that this story does not shock or even surprise anymore.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me after I finished The Beautyful Ones are Not Yet Born which is easily one of my favorite books ever. After finishing Things Fall Apart, I realize now that the person who recommended this book to me didn't really know what it was I liked about The Beautyful Ones,(brutal, grotesque, horrible, disgusting imagery and devastating stagnation).

This book was incredible in a totally different way. It did have moments of brutal-ness, and overall the story is brutal, but in a different way. It's the story of one man's life in an Ibo tribe in Nigeria. The story ends shortly after the white missionaries come and make you want to throw up all over them.

[Leah Arthur · Rating 3 out of 5]

The main theme of this story has to do with how main character Okonkwo specifically, and his tribe, deal with the introduction of alien culture to their traditional ways. Achebe wrote this novel to challenge the white colonial stereotypes of traditional African society and the result is a really powerful story about how corruptive the colonial influences were on their culture. Achebe does a wonderful job of explaining the culture and weaving it into his narrative. I don't want to say more because spoilers but I really enjoyed this book.

My edition of this novel also has related readings which connect in some way to the themes of the main novel, I found these also to be helpful to understanding the story.

Overall, I totally recommend this book. The ending was totally unexpected and sad...

[Nyea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my second time reading this book, the first being with my mother last year and now with my class. This book obviously does not end well by it's very tittle. However to read the culture and heritage of these villages in Africa are truly interesting. The first time reading this book was not as understood as now as I read it a second time. This book is very good./




February 9, 09

I have just finished this book for the second time. Surprisingly I understand it more as I read it with my tenth grade class and Ms. Aguda. A whole culture can be wiped out from just one converting to another culture; such things demolish all things important to a native culture. It even causes one's death......

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be very interesting which surprised me. I enjoyed learning about the culture and religion of the native African people. My favorite characters were Nwoye, because he had the courage to leave his abusive father in the name of Christianity, and the priest Mr.Brown, because he made an effort to learn about African culture and traditional religion. My least favorite character was Okonkwo. He was an abusive, sexist, ungrateful and murderous jerk. I was a little surprised that in the end he hung himself. But now I understand that he hung himself because he was too prideful to allow a white Christian man and his messengers to kill him. The main topics of this book in my opinion are: imperialism, sexism, honor, pride, tradition and faith.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book I really enjoyed reading. The tale centers around the Ibo tribe in Africa, and the journey of a warrior named Okonkwo. The clan is steeped in the rich traditions of their ancestors and have lived the same for generations, until the unexpected happens, British missionaries come to live with the Ibo tribe, and bring with them their religion, government, and western traditions. In many ways a sad story as the tribe falls into confusion over the new customs and traditions of the British.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating and quick read on the Igbo people of West Africa during the middle of the 19th century. Picked as the novel that AcDec students must read in 2017-18, I found it to be eye-opening and informative to lay the groundwork for a year that I hope our school's team members (and I) learn a lot more about West African history and culture. This was Achebe's first novel and it really served as a good introduction for me to a continent I really know very little about save for Americanized views of a people subjected to the destruction by the West.

[Robin Woodcock · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't remember much from this book from the first time I read it, so I thought I'd have another go at it. I found it hard to get into and only towards the very end did I like it most. It's a good book, sort of fable-like. Harsh commentary on British colonialism, but I don't think that's a surprise. Sort of strange the way the narrator changes at the veryvery end, but I guess it's supposed to be a sign that the white man is now in control.

[Mary Andrikus · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was interesting how Achebe told Ibo's culture through this book. He used few African/Ibo words in the book and introduced the Ibo's tribe's culture through Okonkwo's perspective. It was interesting and, yet, it was disturbing also how Okonkwo had three wives and liked to beat his wives and his children.

One thing from the book that stuck to me was that change was inevitable and those who couldn't adapt to it may not survive.

[Nazanin · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a very good book. I never imagined they believed in their traditions this much. Im not sure which side I should pick to support, white people where trying to help. They built the court and church and a community centre. But they also forced Africans to forget what they believed in. Its true that their traditions, their way of beliving in god was wrong but.... I don't know it confused me! Overal, it was a good book.

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

This gave a nice picture of life in this village, the religion, food, lifestyle. I really like the proverbs and sayings they use when talking to each other, calling someone salt for being afraid of water. Even though I disagree with some of the practices of their culture, it hurt to see it disappear.

[Manoshi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book for English class. This was one very thought provoking book. I have never read a book set in Africa(at least during this time period) and it shows all the complexities of the English colonization and how it affected the lives of people in tribes. The ending was not one i was expecting. This is a must read!

[finn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too many characters died to the point to where it pulled me out of it and it became a story in which anyone could die so why be invested? Yet I must also say that, because I read it for A.P. Lit., we learned of Achebe and why he wrote it and for that reason I have to say that as a story and with it’s meaning it deserves at least to be analyzed for the sake of cleverness alone.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

The seminal work of African literature of the last century. The story of one man and how he exemplifies cultural values in a "primitive" society, and how an "enlightened" society changes everyting. A memorable and relevant work after fifty years.

[Leila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be an interesting (and quick!) read. It does tend to take the tone of a parable and it is unsparing in its look at Nigerian tribal life as well as the effect that British missionaries had on that life.

[Ash · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very intriguing book. It reveals a lot about the gender relations in Africa and the various beliefs about deities. Most importantly though, it brings into perspective, the point of view of a native African who experienced the coming of Europeans into Africa. Truely eye-opening.

[ASoner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have enjoyed reading "Things Fall Apart". It was like reading a folk tale of old times. It was written in a way, that it would be told by elders, storytellers, before the time of TV and even books.

[Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't quite understand the fuss. In fact, I don't understand the fuss at all. This was a quick, absorbing read, but I believe I enjoyed it more anthropologically than as a work of fiction.

[Rylan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay. Achebe's a good writer, but I didn't really get the point of the story. The plot was just kind of all over the place.

[Trevor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anticlimactic. Still a good read. You want so bad for Okonkwo to succeed, but like so many things in life, you have to somehow deal with what you've been dealt.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. great piece of African literature.

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really good. It was written differently than the other books I have read and it was really refreshing. Now I have to finish one more book and this spring break will be complete!

[Roshani · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great testimony against organized religions. I really enjoyed reading this and feel all missionaries should read this before going to impoverished countries to convert people.

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I need to stop reading books off of those "Best Books Ever" lists. I tend to be disappointed and feel like an idiot for missing the greatness of the book.

[judy weaver · Rating 4 out of 5]

1959 Okonkwo is tough african head tribesman. mean, ignorant, kills step son,
son Naowbi joins Christian Missionaries. Okonkwo goes into exile, comes home to
changed village, kills himself.

[Magic Shop · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty good book. I read it for my IB English class. It was interesting to learn about a new culture and how colonization can impact changes back in history.

[Kayla Hardie · Rating 2 out of 5]

2/5. Book read for school.