Released: 1958
Genre: Society, Drama, Historical
Number of Pages: 152
Widely regarded as one of the greatest books ever written, Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart is a major part of African history and one of the first titles to tell the story of its people from their perspective, rather than that of the western world.
In 1800s Nigeria, Okonkwo is the patriarch of a prosperous family; he is respected among his fellow clansman and forthright in his convictions. But when the first white settlers arrive, the downfall of his society takes place over several years. The book is split into three parts with the first introducing us to the clans, their traditions and how family life is managed. The second sees disaster befall the protagonist and his family, while the third sees colonialism take hold with missionaries and later a full government. Every step of the way, Achebe is very precise with his language, showing Okonkwo’s personal perspective and his opinions on the situation.
The impact of colonisation is also presented vividly; a steady escalation of control from Christianity through the imposition of laws. To the African clans, a slow paralysis takes hold as they are unable to deal with the new civilization, but to Okonkwo, a flawed character himself, the experience is deeply emasculating; a once proud warrior laid low by the destruction of his people. The way Chinua emphasises this feeling in only 152 pages is brilliant.
The only downside of the novel for me is how some characters are pushed to the side in part three. Okonkwo’s family could have offered some additional perspectives on the white man’s crusade, especially his wives and children. How does Nwoye respond to the building and eventual construction of a new church? How does Ekwefi handle the slow degradation of her husband? Presenting these sides may have offered some further depth.
Recommended?
YES: More than sixty years after its release, Things Fall Apart still stands as one of the great African novels. In a concise manner, it presents the destruction of a society and emotional toll it takes on the people. The book’s final message is especially powerful, the fact that history is written by the victor and that colonised civilizations were unable to tell their own stories for decades. The book may have benefitted from a wider range of perspectives, but it is still highly recommended.
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