Books : Things Fall Apart (Penguin Red Classics)

Rating: - A work which propelled African literature onto the world stage
In Things Fall Apart, Nigerian author, Chinhua Achebe, presents a vision of a society which existed in southern Nigeria before the arrival of British colonists in the 1890s. Polytheistic religion is deeply enmeshed in the social and cultural values of the Umoafia clan. Okonkwo, the main character, is a leading member of the clan. He embodies their prized virtues: strength, masculinity, hard work and proficiency as a warrior. Okonkwo is a proud and domineering man, who rules over his family as a feared patriarch. In Okonkwo, Achebe shows us that the pre-Christian Igbo had a sophisticated social system, which belies the anarchic vision of African society presented by western writers such as Joseph Conrad in Heart of Darkness. Yet Achebe is not at all sentimental about this pre-Christian society. He is unsparing in his depiction of the cruelty which Okonkwo inflicts on those around him in order to demonstrate his manhood.

The tragedy, which lies at the heart of Things Fall Apart, begins with the arrival of white missionaries. They find converts among the Umoafia, creating conflict with those who wish to retain the traditional ways. The introduction of Christianity is a cancer which rapidly destroys the fabric of the old society and subjugates Okonkwo's people to the mores and institutions introduced by the whites. This is more than Okonkwo can bear; eventually he kills himself.

In addition to its major message about the undervaluing of pre-colonial African societies in subsequent histories of the period, Things Fall Apart has much to say about the importance of kin relationships in preserving social stability. It also attacks the notion that qualities such as masculinity are fixed and unrelated to social expectations. The clash of cultures, which occurred in many parts of Africa during the colonial era, is brilliantly encapsulated in the struggle between the Umoafia and the white missionaries. Achebe is critical of the view that cultural identity is an immutable quality. People such as Okonkwo, who cannot adapt to changing times, are vanquished by new ideas and waves of migration.

Achebe's novel is rightly regarded as a classic of post-colonial African literature, and has made its way onto the reading lists of college courses worldwide. It is also a major bestseller, having sold over eight million copies.

It is recommended as a powerful insight into African history, told from the perspective of a society which existed before British colonists arrived in what is now Nigeria.

Review by Tony Judge, author of Sirocco Express (ISBN: 978-1409204466 )

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Rating: - The first authentic African voice is a loud whisper
Chinua Achebe's acclaimed novel starts out as a thoughtful invocation of the culture and values of the Igbo people in pre-colonial Nigeria at a time when advice is sought from oracles and medicine-men, justice despatched through blood feuds and human sacrifice, and where the manly virtues of the warrior remain the defining quality sought by all self-respecting men. Embarrassed by his weak father Okonkwo sets out to be become a clan leader through steely determination, hard work and plain bullying. A lot of good it does him, though. A fatal accident - not in any way his fault - results in flight from his clan and a humiliating seven year exile. On his return, the missionaries had arrived in his village and we all know what happened next: the end of civilisation as they knew it.
This is an important book inasmuch as it was one of the first authentic African voices to portray the effects of colonialism on a traditional African society, and it came at a time when the British Empire had run its course and was on the verge of disintegration. However, it is an immature work written in a style so concise as to appear almost light, and is not the masterwork that it is claimed to be despite its undoubted virtues of accuracy and honesty. The author - as I'm sure he would admit - was to compose better works.

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Rating: - Wonderful prose and an eye opener
This seminal work of modern African literature tells the story of tribal civilisation in Nigeria just at the point where the British first arrive. The central character Okonkwo is a proud and feared tribal warrior. The wrestling exploits of his youth are legend and established him as an alpha male in the region. He is also a breed apart from his fellow villagers. He is ruthless, hugely ambitious, hard working and acquisitive. Okonkwo's steady path to advancement in the village is cut short however when he is implicated in the death of a villager and sent in to exile for seven years. This is the falling apart of Okonkwo's world and he finds it very difficult to adapt to his new circumstances. But more than this, the civilisation that Okonkwo inhabits is about to fall apart, as it meets the first wave of British imperialism. The new colonial master is depicted dispassionately by Achebe, almost as if he is merely reporting on events - there is no overt judgement of the British. (When you consider Achebe's journalistic training and background this is less surprising). Indeed, though they are alien to each other, Okonkwo understands only too well that the brutal logic of the encroaching imperialist power dictates that might must prevail. As a bully and a strongman, it is the code that he has understood and followed all his life. We also see that many of the changes that the British bring are more readily welcomed than you would expect - religion and western education for example - and that people are lured to what is new and different. This novel depicts a complex tribal society - far more complex than the imperialist power would have understood or given it credit for. It is also a novel about change and adapting to it and the insignificance of the little man in the face of this change.

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Rating: - A most enchanting book
The story in this book takes place in the countryside of Nigeria during the reign of Queen Victoria. The central character - Okonkwo, is a man who despises his father and aspires to be the total opposite. He is ambitious and wishes to live in such a way that will lead to status and respect. In particular he wishes to be awarded a number of titles which could ultimately see him as the chief of the tribe. He shows very little outward love towards his family, especially towards his children, because he wants to make sure that none of become a wastrel like his father. Also he wants to appear to be tough so that his ambitions can be achieved.

As the story unfolds Okonkwo makes a number of mistakes - probably the most serious one where he accidently kills another and has to go into exile in a neighbouring village for 7 years. While he is away things go very badly for his home village. A white commuinity and their church start taking control of the region - very difficult to stop, because some of the villagers are members of the church.

When Okonkwo returns, and later attends a meeting to stop the power of the white colonizers, things continue to fall apart for both Okonkwo and the village as a whole. The ending is a surprise and is in a way depressing. Okonkwo acts rashly again decapitating one of the messengers sent by the while colonisers. He then disappears and is later found hanged - apparently suicide.

This is a wonderful book to read, not just because of the central theme, but also because of the details of African society, that people like myself are totally ignorant of. There are many different things that you can learn by reading this story.

Highly recommended

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Rating: - A disappointing read!
Achebe's feeble and disengaging characterisation is surpassed only by patronising simplicity. In attempting to depict the primal authenticity of pre-colonial African culture he has created a book that not only fails to do full justice to the tribe's struggle against Western imperialism but wholly relies on plot driven devices leaving in its wake a shallow and superficial tribute to one of history's most tragic struggles.