Things Fall Apart
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Things Fall Apart
Chinua Achebe
Literature
James Mustich
Jul 26, 2018
Composed in English and published in 1958, two years before Nigeria declared independence, Things Fall Apart was the first African novel to attain a wide international readership. It is a short, sparely told tale that nevertheless embraces themes of enormous import: fate and will, the determining influences of familial inheritance, the consequences and consolations of custom, the legacy of colonialism. It also illuminates the personal and political crises provoked by the failure of individuals and societies to grow while maintaining their identities in the face of change. And while the novel is steeped in Achebe’s native Igbo culture and alert to the conflicts inherent in the historical moment it depicts, its action seems to unfold on a universal stage; it is as rich in human substance as Greek tragedy, and just as mysteriously powerful in its effect.
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Pearl McElheran
Oct 30, 2018
beautifully written and an insightful glimpse into village life in Nigeria before it was ruined by imperialism
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Beth Powers
Nov 28, 2018
Gives great perspective on a different world and time.
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Elizabeth A Margolis
Dec 3, 2018
Yes
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Jane Buggle
Dec 4, 2018
Superb allegory
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Susan Rowley
Dec 25, 2018
It really affected me, and I think I really need to reread it sometime
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Kendra Bilderback
Jan 7
transforms you to another time and place
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Lyle Lamb
Feb 5
We all need to learn about and understand different cultures...even if through novels.
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Tricia Sean Goodman
Feb 19
I read this in my freshman year of college. It shows the impact of colonization of Africa...
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Ben Shoemaker
Mar 12
Great book!
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Steve Knier
Mar 26
Always something
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Brandon Millwood
Mar 26
Fantastic tale. It really made me think about how societies change and how the colonization of Africa changed it so much.
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RICHARD HANSON
Mar 27
Did not really enjoy the story but the themes involved were very jarring to my Western experience. They pop back into my mind from time to time
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Kip Voytek
Mar 30
Been meaning to.
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Benjamin Elliott
Apr 1
This is as good an entrance into African literature as exists.
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Chris Bonham
Apr 7
Inspiring core reading from a Postcolonial Geography module I took in the final year of my degree.
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Tina Lau
Apr 17
good book!
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T. S. Russell
May 30
This is an absolutely haunting book that has stuck with me ever since I read it. I can never hear the phrase "things fall apart" now without experiencing a sinking feeling in my stomach because of the poignant melancholy the book elicited from me. I really felt as if I had been there in Okonkwo's village.
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glen young
Sep 30
An important counterpoint to all the colonial narratives told from European perspectives.
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Greg
Oct 3
Great book
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Trina Hayes
Oct 7
This novel tells the story of colonialism and despite it, pride.
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Jane Huttner
Oct 8
Insightful look at village life in Nigeria before Brits took over. We all need to understand other cultures, even if it's only from novels.
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"1,000 Books To Read Before You Die" is a registered trademark of Workman Publishing, Inc. Based on the book: 1,000 Books to Read Before You Die by James Mustich, Jr. (Workman Publishing Co., Inc.: © 2018)