Name: Things Fall Apart
Rating: 3.601547388781432 (517 reviews)

Chinua Achebe

A Chronology of Achebe's life and work and a Selected Bibliography are also included."--Pub. desc.

Authoritative Text, Contexts and Criticism

Things Fall Apart

THINGS FALL APART tells two overlapping, intertwining stories, both of which center around Okonkwo, a “strong man” of an Ibo village in Nigeria. The first of these stories traces Okonkwo's fall from grace with the tribal world in which he lives, and in its classical purity of line and economical beauty it provides us with a powerful fable about the immemorial conflict between the individual and society. The second story, which is as modern as the first is ancient, and which elevates the book to a tragic plane, concerns the clash of cultures and the destruction of Okonkwo's world through the arrival of aggressive, proselytizing European missionaries. These twin dramas are perfectly harmonized, and they are modulated by an awareness capable of encompassing at once the life of nature, human history, and the mysterious compulsions of the soul. THINGS FALL APART is the most illuminating and permanent monument we have to the modern African experience as seen from within. From the Hardcover edition.

ikkychan

Following the fall of European power during the Second World War, voices and forces from the nations that were once oppressed have gained a brand-new standing across the globe. As the shackle that was once holding them down diminished, they galvanised into action, seeking to challenge dominant narratives, highlighting marginalised voices, and providing insight into the lived experiences of people in colonised regions. This movement, alive with anger and wisdom from years and years of suppression, emerged as a response to a constellation of qualities: the historical injustices, inequalities, and complexities of colonial rule that forever changed the face of a nation and bore them future debt of lost integrity. Coming from a country with centuries-long history of colonisation (weird flex, but OK), I shared a deep (trauma) bond with the struggles of these people — faraway that they are — as fellow brothers and sisters of the same burden. This is what I saw in Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart”. The story opens with the life of Unoka, a spendthrift, effeminate and cowardly father who forced his family on borrowed time and borrowed dimes upon the mercy of their neighbours. The picture of his father sitting idly in his house conversing instead of working in the field haunts his son, Okonkwo, to his adolescence and adulthood, and further drives him to shed any likeness he could have from Unoka as he couldn’t bare the shame and embarrassment of having such improvident father. He consciously adapts any ideals that directly oppose Unoka; productive, prosperous, brave and violent, firmly against music or anything he deems "soft," like conversation and sentimentality. By embracing these ideals, he succeeded in bringing great materialistic and social wealth to his household where he’s awarded with two titles and three different wives. Tragically, this superiority complex is what ultimately leads to his downfall, when white missionaries started to invade his home and change his surroundings. All of a sudden, he finds himself a stranger in a familiar land. I was quite captivated by the story from the start to finish. It was not a lengthy one but it has the power to entraps you from the get go as you feel more and more for the characters, mainly Okonkwo. True, Okonkwo might not be the most morally upright character in literature, and one could argue that he's a rather flawed individual. He commits some morally questionable acts in the story; like killing, beating his wives and demeaning his children — but understanding the context behind his actions is crucial. What he did may be wrong in the eyes of common practicum, but he did so at the behest of his tradition and long-upheld societal rule and he may justify himself and say that they were done at his best intention, albeit somewhat misguided. This misguidance originates from Okonkwo's desire to distance himself from anything he views as feminine, much like his father Unoka, in his quest to embody what he regards as a superior trait: masculinity. Unfortunately, he likens masculinity to traits like aggression and impulsiveness, believing that displaying anger is the only acceptable emotion for a man. He repeatedly beat his wives and children, even threatening to kill them at times. He refuses to show weakness so excessively that he would rather commit atrocious deeds. When the village men decided to kill Ikemufuna, his adopted son who had live with him for 3 years and call him ‘father’, Okonkwo not only volunteered to join them but also was the one who drew his machete and delivered the killing blow, “afraid of being thought weak” in front of his peer. Ironically, for the most part, Okonkwo’s idea of manhood is at odds with the clan’s. Obierika, Okonkwo’s best friend in Umuofia, who was described as a 'man who thought about things,' is quite the opposite of Okonkwo, who is hasty and acts impetuously. Though Obierika doesn't follow Okonkwo's reckless ways, people do not refer to him as effeminate; on the contrary, they hold him in high regard. When Okonkwo was exiled to his maternal kinsmen’s village, he harbours aversion to the norms that they respect and criticise them for favouring peaceful solutions like negotiation, compliance, and avoidance rather than anger and violence. His propensity for violence to deal with conflict and hostility is what proves to be his undoing. In the time of changes marked with the arrival of Christian missionaries from Europe, beliefs that had been held for a long time were suddenly challenged and Okonkwo finds himself on the verge of an existential crisis. The traditional values that once ensured his social standing was slowly shaken by the new teaching of the ‘white men’. The fact that his son, Nwoye, converted to Christianity felt like a slap on his face, an ultimate betrayal that a member of his own flesh and blood could have such a blasphemous conviction. Unbeknownst to him, Nwoye had long since held a deep grudge toward his father and saw the flaw in his character as he couldn’t accept his treatment of Ikemefuna, who he loved like his true brother. This resentment led him to find fault in his community as a whole. Nwoye’s sentiment toward Umuofia was shared by other villagers, mostly by the Osu, who were outcast living in absolute restrictions. They were persuaded by the opportunities to change their lives and found sanctuary in this new community. But what they didn’t realise is that these European influences jeopardise the need to master traditional practices of farming, harvesting, construction and even culinary skills, which were once essential for surviving in harsh African soil. The white missionaries, especially Reverend James Smith, have little to no regard to the local cultures of Igbo people as they believe it’s primitive and therefore inferior to theirs. This arrogance bred ignorance and worsened the atmosphere between the two, which then escalated to the worst possible outcome: bloodshed. The portrayal of the women in the community may not be as powerful as their gender counterpart since Igbo society in Nigeria is traditionally patriarchal. Throughout the story, they were kept on the outskirts, in the background, and rarely had room to voice their character. Violence against women is also widely tolerated. When Okonkwo beat Ojiugo, his third wife, he was punished not for the act but for the timing of the deed, which is during the Week of Peace. Women are also seen more as an object to be haggle on and bought for from families to families and be exchanged with cowries or livestock. Nonetheless, the book portrays instances where women have autonomy and occupy important roles within the village, although these are exceptions. Ekwefi, Okonkwo’s second wife, chose to flee from her first husband and sheltered in Okonkwo’s instead. Chielo, a priestess in Umuofia who is dedicated to the Oracle of the goddess Agbala. Her words are held in high regard and people listen closely to her words as they are deemed a prophecy from God itself. Ezinma, Okonkwo’s daughter from Ekwefi, is the apple of his eyes and he holds her in higher regards than his other children — even his sons — though he does lament the fact that she is a girl. One thing I noticed the most is how Achebe did not emphasise on who is ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ in the narrative. The Igbo people were not portrayed as this noble, flawless community nor a defenceless, oppressed victims of colonialism. Similarly, the missionaries were never set out to be the ‘bad guy’ whose purpose is only to inflict damage to the local people. He recounts each incident without glorifying nor vilifying the both sides, which allow for a more nuanced and ambivalent discourse surrounding the issues. This sense of neutrality also gives the reader the opportunity to have a more balanced and fair evaluation, to see things without bias, to take things for themselves instead of being spoon fed by the writer. While maintaining objectivity, it's evident that Achebe has a deeply personal connection to this story. In the early chapters, he draws an intimate rendering of the culture of Igbo people through their festivals, language and folktales. We come to know how disputes are settled, how decisions are made and begin to understand that their harsh traditions stemming from difficult circumstances, anxiety, and the anger of ancestral spirits. We feel for them as they struggle to overcome the change imposed upon them, as Obierika said to Okonkwo “Does the white man understand our custom about land? How can he when he does not even speak our tongue? But he says that our customs are bad; and our own brothers who have taken up his religion also say that our customs are bad. How do you think we can fight when our own brothers have turned against us?….. He has put a knife on the things that held us together and we have fallen apart,” he voices Achebe’s own agony and it resonates far through the pages. He may have only used a singular tribe in his story but his writing reflects all of the conflict throughout Africa as it closely resembles one another. These two reflections derived from Achebe’s background of having a Christian father and non-Christian uncle. Having these dual perspectives allowed him to see and understand the two standpoints without needing to sacrifice one to support another. True, it’s not exceptional for post-colonial writers to have a neutral stance against colonialism as it is a widely diverse field — they often depend on the author's purpose, the specific historical context they are addressing, and their own experiences and perspectives. While some writers may take a strongly critical stance against colonialism, emphasising its negative effects on colonised peoples (like Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o and Frantz Fanon), Achebe’s approach is equally compelling. By keeping account on two sides of every coin, he showed that situations are never just straightforward, and complexities are common and should not be prejudiced or thoughtlessly taken for granted. Nothing is ever truly black or white; there’s always a bit of one in another. This is how this book could be read on so many levels for so many different people.

One of the BBC's '100 Novels That Shaped Our World' A worldwide bestseller and the first part of Achebe's African Trilogy, Things Fall Apart is the compelling story of one man's battle to protect his community against the forces of change Okonkwo is the greatest wrestler and warrior alive, and his fame spreads throughout West Africa like a bush-fire in the harmattan. But when he accidentally kills a clansman, things begin to fall apart. Then Okonkwo returns from exile to find missionaries and colonial governors have arrived in the village. With his world thrown radically off-balance he can only hurtle towards tragedy. First published in 1958, Chinua Achebe's stark, coolly ironic novel reshaped both African and world literature, and has sold over ten million copies in forty-five languages. This arresting parable of a proud but powerless man witnessing the ruin of his people begins Achebe's landmark trilogy of works chronicling the fate of one African community, continued in Arrow of God and No Longer at Ease. 'His courage and generosity are made manifest in the work' Toni Morrison 'The writer in whose company the prison walls fell down' Nelson Mandela 'A great book, that bespeaks a great, brave, kind, human spirit' John Updike With an Introduction by Biyi Bandele

deeply complex despite the simplicity of Achebe’s prose - he approaches the narrative with such frankness but I think there is so much to tease out, especially on the ambiguities of colonisation. for me I was grappling with the question of violence and its origins, ie. if gendered violence is not a colonial inheritance, then where does it come from? 

Achebe's portrayal of the Igbo people is unapologetically candid, and he does not try to sanitise or idealise pre-colonial Africa, but rather gives us a glimpse into a self-sustained, self-contained, albeit flawed, community. Okonkwo in particular is a fascinatingly complicated protagonist who is extremely difficult to root for and incredibly unlikeable, but ultimately I feel sympathetic towards him - he’s not a perfect victim in any way, very much guilty of perpetuating violence himself, but still a reminder that we must hold space regardless.

Taira Robles

deeply complex despite the simplicity of Achebe’s prose - he approaches the narrative with such frankness but I think there is so much to tease out, especially on the ambiguities of colonisation. for me I was grappling with the question of violence and its origins, ie. if gendered violence is not a colonial inheritance, then where does it come from? 

Achebe's portrayal of the Igbo people is unapologetically candid, and he does not try to sanitise or idealise pre-colonial Africa, but rather gives us a glimpse into a self-sustained, self-contained, albeit flawed, community. Okonkwo in particular is a fascinatingly complicated protagonist who is extremely difficult to root for and incredibly unlikeable, but ultimately I feel sympathetic towards him - he’s not a perfect victim in any way, very much guilty of perpetuating violence himself, but still a reminder that we must hold space regardless.

Things fall apart. Chinua Achebe, with introduction and notes by Aigboje Higo; illustrated byy Uche Okeke

The book follows Okonkwo, a strong and proud man in a traditional Igbo village. Chinua Achebe shows his life, his family, and the arrival of colonial forces that start changing everything. You get pulled into the community and its customs, then watch everything shift for everyone.

What stayed with me most was Okonkwo's stubbornness. His need to stay strong and never look weak costs him so so much. Achebe doesnt make him a simple hero or villain, He's complicated, Proud, Harsh, honestly, just Human. The way the community responds to the new religion and laws feels painfully real.

TRIZAH CHERONO

The book follows Okonkwo, a strong and proud man in a traditional Igbo village. Chinua Achebe shows his life, his family, and the arrival of colonial forces that start changing everything. You get pulled into the community and its customs, then watch everything shift for everyone.

What stayed with me most was Okonkwo's stubbornness. His need to stay strong and never look weak costs him so so much. Achebe doesnt make him a simple hero or villain, He's complicated, Proud, Harsh, honestly, just Human. The way the community responds to the new religion and laws feels painfully real.

Not a long book but it carries weight. 

🤎

i would like to teach this to students but i was underwhelmed. i think i didnt realize how short this was and was expecting a little more from it?

yasi

Joseph Claro

A Study Guide

Beautifully written. Such a powerful and important story.

shivani karadia

This expanded edition of Chinua Achebe's first novel portrays the collision of African and European cultures in an Igbo village. Okonkwo, a great man in Igbo traditional society, cannot adapt to the profound changes brought by the British conquest of Nigeria. Yet, as in classic tragedy, Okonkwo's character as well as external forces contribute to his downfall. This expanded edition includes new illustrations, maps, additional essays on history, culture,and literature, and reference material to help readers see Achebe's classic novel in social and historical context, and to understand its place in world literature.

This book perturbed me. I can see why it’s required reading in a lot of high schools and colleges. 

Shoob 🧸

So i spent the first half of the book kind of trying to understand what the book was about, and the second half questioning the same thing. It’s not until literally the last page that it becomes evident. Really it’s just an old african boomer that won’t change his ideals. A tale as old as time my dude. Frankly, i don’t have time for that shit anymore. Times change, some people don’t, bad things happen to them because they’re salty and negative. Basically use that last line and put it in a setting in nigeria during what i imagine are the late 1700s. That’s your novel. Given it’s a work of fiction, i’m not actually sure where it falls on the reality spectrum, so won’t even go quoting tribes or cultural learnings to my friends down the pub. 

Is it entertaining, mildly. Is it a different style of writing to the usual, kind of. Did it make me feel good/bad/or something, not really. would i recommend it, nah. Will i review it in this very limitedly user review app, duh. 

connor arnette

So i spent the first half of the book kind of trying to understand what the book was about, and the second half questioning the same thing. It’s not until literally the last page that it becomes evident. Really it’s just an old african boomer that won’t change his ideals. A tale as old as time my dude. Frankly, i don’t have time for that shit anymore. Times change, some people don’t, bad things happen to them because they’re salty and negative. Basically use that last line and put it in a setting in nigeria during what i imagine are the late 1700s. That’s your novel. Given it’s a work of fiction, i’m not actually sure where it falls on the reality spectrum, so won’t even go quoting tribes or cultural learnings to my friends down the pub. 

Is it entertaining, mildly. Is it a different style of writing to the usual, kind of. Did it make me feel good/bad/or something, not really. would i recommend it, nah. Will i review it in this very limitedly user review app, duh. 

Skip it  

Maureen

"He has put a knife on the things that held us together and we have fallen apart."

***

My first venture into African literature! I appreciate how the author included a glossary at the end.
The Ibo society is well-painted by Achebe, and readers will be fully immersed in their culture thanks to the vivid descriptions. The title is fitting for the events that take place in the latter part of the story.

I had only read about the spread of religion, but I've never come across such an in-depth account of colonialism under the guise of spreading religion. Especially through the eyes of the protagonist, Okonkwo—it was made very personal.

Sarah Sammis

Read it for school but loved reading a non white non Asian book. Loved learning about the Ibo Culture without western opinions but that ending threw me off

Anushree Taparia

maybe i didn't like this book entirely but its ending was remarkable + impactful. it was heavy, sad, ironic, piteous, and incendiary. as someone who's seen a history of imperialism in my own country, i relatively sympathize with this book. i wish i enjoyed and understood this as much as other people did but yea . . . good read.

Gavin

You don't see the opinion "tribal feudalism was bad, colonialism was worse" much. Nor here.

Prashanth Srivatsa

While Things Fall Apart belongs to our own world, there is a feeling of seclusion about it, a distance from where we are, in customs, culture, faith and even in words. What remains intact is humanity, our resistance to change, and our eventual capitulation. When the missionaries walk in among the tribe, you feel the sadness of a people who, despite all their differences, had an identity, which was now in doldrums. This shift of a nation, weak as seen from outside but strong as imagined from within, is where Achebe pulls his modest strings, teaching the world about the beauty of Africa.

Things Fall Apart Authoritative Text, Contexts and Criticism

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