Review of 'Things Fall Apart'

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

This story follows the life of an important man - Okonkwo of the tribe Igbo. The first 2/3 of the novel show the various ceremonies and describe the beliefs of the tribe that eventually cause Okonkwo to leave his village in exile for a number of years. Before he returns sees the arrival of the white man and his church leading to an ultimate collapse in the social fabric of the community and, ultimately, the ultimate collapse of Okonkwo. This is quite a short novel with fascinating cultural aspects and extremely sympathetic characters (Okonkwo, though perhaps not the kindest of individuals, is certainly a product and a revered person in the community). An interesting essay on the collapse of African society with the coming of the white man.

Rating: “Really good but I have some issues”


Genre: African