Things Fall Apart Summary & Book Review
Things fall apart book summary, by Chinua Achebe
Book review of the most widely read African literature novel, Things fall apart.
But first, some absorbing facts about Things Fall Apart
The Novel was First published in 1958 and is a historical fiction story.
Things Fall Apart is a socio-political narrative with a pre-colonial setting in Nigeria. It a masterpiece that is considered the most widely read book in modern African literature.
The book is the first of a trilogy of Achebe’s critically acclaimed books.
The writer the late Chinua Achebe has written several books. Among them three of which got intense praise and positive review from many critics.
The Book has sold more than twenty million copies and been translated into more than fifty languages.
The Plot: Things Fall Apart Book Summary
The main character is Okonkwo, is a strong, wealthy, and fearless Igbo warrior of Umuofia, Nigeria who is wilful and proud. The story is set in the late eighteen hundred.
He tries with little success to preserve his Igbo traditions which become inferior to the incoming religious and political influence of the British colonizers.
Okonkwo loses the battle as his people and community encompasses and embraces the new British ways of living and beliefs, while he struggles to adapt to the dramatic transformation.
The indifference and insensitivity of British colonial administrator wins over the traditional ways of the Ibgo people.
The book paints the sharp difference between western culture and African culture in Nigeria in colonial era. It paints the effects of colonial influence to the village life of Nigeria.
The worst moment comes when Okonkwo’s own son converts to Christianity which he strongly opposes.
This is a good book for insight into the minds of the first people to experience colonialism in those days.
Things Fall Apart is written in a simple manner to showcase the bright side of African culture and its flows. Therefore it is quite a good book to read, given that it is short as well.
The story cuts across various social and political aspects, such as language, gender roles, relationships, family and religion. There is also the advent of imperial powers in African societies.
