Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

[flaming_quills]

I also had to read this for a unit in my uni course and I can't complain. At the time I really didn't enjoy it but looking back I'm glad I read it and thankful for the wisdom it imparted on me. A great read, would definitely recommend to everyone.

[VAwkOb12]

This is one of favorite books!
Chinua Achebe(The late author) manages to potray the lives of the people in Africa before and after colonisation in a very captivating way. He writes in the novel how the change of customs and absence of freedom can lead to tradegy.

[VAwkOb12]

I say you should try this book because it's an interesting read. The language used is simple and understandable.

The novel is about the lives of the people in Africa during colonialism. The author uses characters like okwonko who lives in a village called umuofia to show the way life was before colonialism spread and became dominant.

The focus of the novel is on african traditions and the Daily lives of the people during that time.

[chaseygatha1]

It's an excellent depiction of African village life. Through Okonkwo, we see the representation of a successful man as seen through the eyes of his society. His eventual downfall clearly causes the reader to question society's measurement of success. In his case, he was considered successful because of his ability to maintain and run his household and his farming business. When his crops were lost,it seemed as if he was no longer a successful man.
Consequently, one should question whether wealth and material possess truly exemplifies success and if not, what should?

[DennisK]

It's an excellent depiction of African village life. Through Okonkwo, we see the representation of a successful man as seen through the eyes of his society. His eventual downfall clearly causes the reader to question society's measurement of success. In his case, he was considered successful because of his ability to maintain and run his household and his farming business. When his crops were lost,it seemed as if he was no longer a successful man.
Consequently, one should question whether wealth and material possess truly exemplifies success and if not, what should?

That is a very interesting perspective toward this story. I've been asking the same things about my own culture. You make me want to reread this book using your point of view.

[ss-nelly21]

I’ve read this book and it is awesome. Achibe does such a great job of connecting you to the struggle of the protagonist. I believe this was his rebuttal to certain sentiments in “Heart of Darkness”.

[emerson fitti valdi]

yes..
I agree with you

[iced_sunshine]

I read it for a class in uni and I absolutely loved it. I think everyone needs to read this book, it was spectacular and Chinua Achebe is one of the best writers I have ever come across.

[Magnify3]

I didn't get a chance to read it at school. I still would love to read it but it does not easily stay on the shelves. I will be on the look out to buy it.

[DennisK]

Reading some of these comments made me want to reread THINGS FALL APART. So, I did. This time, I read it from a different perspective, and it was like reading a completely different story. My first reading began with certain expectations. This was just another story about One culture taking over and destroying another culture – a very old story that has been told over and over again. One of the oldest examples that I can think of is the Bible. That expectation dominated my reading, and I missed a good deal of this story's depth.
Perhaps Chinua Achebe was writing about more than just some African tribe's culture and it's demise – he may have written about all cultures and their vulnerabilities. Is this a universal story that goes beyond its stage setting? When I start thinking in these terms, I must ask myself if I am simply inventing through my own expectations and prejudices, the author's intent. The title to this book is interesting – perhaps, telling.
I found a YOUTUBE recording of an interview with Chinua Achebe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHF_w0gkyiI
In it, he stated that he wanted the story to be an honest representation of that culture during that time, and that he hoped the story would resonate with people of different cultures. If I had a choice of authors with whom I could share a cold beer: Chinua Achebe would have been my choice.

[Nisha Ward]

I read it in my first year at Uni and found much to be learned through the language and imagery. It's an age old story indeed, but the African influences from the author's life and the way it's told tends to stick with you.

[Wambui-nj]

I have read Things fall apart and many of Chinua Achebe's books. It is a classical African themed and I can relate to the characters. Would definetely recommend it to anyone curious abut African culture.

[cdhundley]

Read it three times for classes and twice on my own. It's definitely one of the relatively few required reading books I enjoyed and found compelling.

[LeDiplomatique]

One of my best African reads. I read it in high school.

[MustaHarleen]

Things Fall Apart is a classic that will make it into the future. I loved Chinua Achebe's writings and they live on even after his death. Things Fall Apart is one of the best African writings till date.