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Things Fall Apart: A Novel
 

Things Fall Apart: A Novel

by Chinua Achebe

Things Fall Apart tells two intertwining stories, both centering on Okonkwo, a “strong man” of an Ibo village in Nigeria. The first, a powerful fable of the immemorial conflict between the individual and society, traces Okonkwo’s fall from grace with the tribal world. The second, as modern as the first is ancient, concerns the clash of cultures and the destruction of Okonkwo's world with the... (read more)

Top tags: fiction,  africa,  classic,  colonialism,  african literature (all tags)

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Other Reviews

Amazon Reviews
 

Most Helpful Reviews

Liked It

1 of 1 members found this review helpful.
Play Book Tag Shelf
  • Rated 4 stars

“Virgaux78 said: Rated: 4 stars
The book is about a man named Okonkwo who is a leader in his clan the Umuofia. The story centers on his relationship with his three wives, children, and the effects of the Christian missionaries that come to "save the savages" as well as the effects of British colonialism.
It's not my usual topic choice, and while I felt at first that it just started in medias res, it came together, moved quickly and I consider it a worthwhile...”

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Didn’t Like It

Jonathan L
  • Rated 2 stars

“Teaches about an isolated tribe in the lower Niger in the 1920's. It tells of Okonkwo's rise to status, then fall from an accidental murder leading to exile, then the arrival of Whites which drives the mentally unstable Okonkwo to even farther lengths, and he kills himself, leaving his four wives and many children. Things aren't what they used to be anymore; a decent story but nothing great.”

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Community:
  • Rated 3.77252 stars
Amazon:
  • Rated 4 stars
  

Newest Comments

  • Godswill Ayezele

    godswill ayezele said:

    “Chinua Achebe captures the true essence of 'Africanism' as we have come to know it today.
    His stories are all very entertaining especially the world acclaimed THINGS FALL APART. Great Read!!!”

    posted 4 days ago
  • Godswill Ayezele

    godswill ayezele said:

    “Chinua Achebe captures the true essence of 'Africanism' as we have come to know it today.
    His stories are all very entertaining especially the world acclaimed THINGS FALL APART. Great Read!!!”

    posted 4 days ago
  • Thandiwe U

    thandiwe u said:

    “Western influences also created self-hate and oppression that is continuing to destroy most groups of people on this earth. The barbaric influences of westerners have created more undermining situations than any listed in this book.”

    posted Sunday, July 13 2008 ( | view 3 replies )
  • eblue

    eblue said:

    “the following comment is a reply to dig d's comment posted 3weeks ago.”

    posted Saturday, July 5 2008
  • Elizabeth a

    elizabeth a said:

    “Great African novel a classic to say the least. Not surprised that some people would want to gorge or gauge their eyes out... you have to open your mind to the experience of a different culture to appreciate it if you are not weaned on "coco yam and cola nut". The book is about the inevitability of change... the lone tale of a man who struggled so hard to make a name in the old order only to find that a new reality was in place of his cherished traditions. I agree with brandy c that there is no white guilt here at all only African truth and reality... if you take every line at face value you could miss the point in the novel and the use of poetry, African imagery and proverbs (the sun shines on those who stand under it before it shines on those who kneel under it’) robs many a reader of the chance to appreciate the story - but again that’s the beauty of it all... Chinua Achebe captures the African experience like only a few can.... no fast cars and the neon lights we are all so familiar with. Nice read and I would recommend it any time.”

    posted Friday, July 4 2008
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