The
historical fiction novel, Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, is a story about
life within one of Africa's many tribal groups. Achebe writes of his culture's
rich heritage, and how it was affected by the coming of the Europeans
imperialists. The title of the book sums up the theme very well, about how the
African way of life was disrupted by European conquest, and eventually fell apart.
His simple writing style makes the book easy to read, but his use of Ibo
language and phrases makes it interesting and unique.
Although Chinua Achebe's method of writing may have been very simple and bland at times, it was generally very effective. His knowledge of both Ibo and English language and literature is very apparent, and he manages to mix both very well into a wonderful story. His strong feelings against the imperialization of his home are widely expressed, but he manages to remain passive, with little real anger ever becoming obvious.
Achebe uses a very simple and `matter-of-fact' style of writing, which proves very effective in describing people, places, and objects. He is able to create vivid scenes in the reader's mind with few, if any, adjectives. Often, more time is spent on explaining someone's or something's importance in society, rather than what it looks, sounds, or feels like. Personal achievements also seemed to be held in regard, rather than personality depth of character. Okonkwo, the main character in the novel, is first introduced among his famous feats, such as his skill at wrestling, rather than with his appearance.
Throughout the novel, Achebe includes short phrases and words in his native language of Ibo. This adds an interesting cultural flavor to the story, and serves to create a more realistic setting. For example, contempt for weak males in the society was shown by their being called agbala, or woman. Also, words which have no English translation are written in Ibo, and then described to their roughly English equivalent. An obi, which was a circular hut, was one such word.
The novel is - culturally and historically - very accurate. His explanation of social status are very thorough, and include everyone and everything: from the highest village elders to the locusts that fly in only once every several years. The roles of men and women are made very clear: nothing in such an African society was ever out of its place. Unfortunately for all of us, European empires sought out the lands and riches of Africa, and the culture has been declining ever since. This is a story about colonization. True, the colonization of the Ibo takes place only in the last third of the book, but that is what makes this book so interesting. Colonization did not occur in a vaccuum; it was imposed upon already existing and sophisticated cultures. I think it is Achebe's purpose to show us a portrait of such a culture in order for us to better understand exactly what effect colonization had.
Achebe raises several interesting questions. One of these is the question of an idea of universal rights and wrongs. In traditional Ibo culture, twins were left to die at birth as they were harbingers of evil spirits. The colonizers come and vanquish this custom in order to save innocent children. In doing so, they upset Ibo culture. In this case, who is right? Achebe also raises questions about the culpability of the colonizers. In Western education today, colonization is blamed for a great deal of the present-day woes in Africa and Southeast Asia. Achebe's portrait of pre-colonial Africa is neither peaceful nor utopian. Local tribes war against each other without the artificial divisions later imposed by the colonizers. In this context, the modern-day conflicts in Nigeria between the Ibo, Hausa-Fulani, and the Yoruba come into clearer focus.
Achebe's writing style is simple and aggressive. You will be hard pressed to find a passive sentence, which makes for some choppy and dynamic literature. I felt like it read more like a translation than a book that was originally written in English. It is a quick read, 3 days at the most should do it. However, unless one has at least a passing interest in Africa and its cultures and histories, this book may be a bit dull. As a entertainment novella I wouldn't rate this book too high. However, this is a culturally diverse book, and I believe it is important enough to say that everybody should read it.
Book rewiew by Paulo R.
Although Chinua Achebe's method of writing may have been very simple and bland at times, it was generally very effective. His knowledge of both Ibo and English language and literature is very apparent, and he manages to mix both very well into a wonderful story. His strong feelings against the imperialization of his home are widely expressed, but he manages to remain passive, with little real anger ever becoming obvious.
Achebe uses a very simple and `matter-of-fact' style of writing, which proves very effective in describing people, places, and objects. He is able to create vivid scenes in the reader's mind with few, if any, adjectives. Often, more time is spent on explaining someone's or something's importance in society, rather than what it looks, sounds, or feels like. Personal achievements also seemed to be held in regard, rather than personality depth of character. Okonkwo, the main character in the novel, is first introduced among his famous feats, such as his skill at wrestling, rather than with his appearance.
Throughout the novel, Achebe includes short phrases and words in his native language of Ibo. This adds an interesting cultural flavor to the story, and serves to create a more realistic setting. For example, contempt for weak males in the society was shown by their being called agbala, or woman. Also, words which have no English translation are written in Ibo, and then described to their roughly English equivalent. An obi, which was a circular hut, was one such word.
The novel is - culturally and historically - very accurate. His explanation of social status are very thorough, and include everyone and everything: from the highest village elders to the locusts that fly in only once every several years. The roles of men and women are made very clear: nothing in such an African society was ever out of its place. Unfortunately for all of us, European empires sought out the lands and riches of Africa, and the culture has been declining ever since. This is a story about colonization. True, the colonization of the Ibo takes place only in the last third of the book, but that is what makes this book so interesting. Colonization did not occur in a vaccuum; it was imposed upon already existing and sophisticated cultures. I think it is Achebe's purpose to show us a portrait of such a culture in order for us to better understand exactly what effect colonization had.
Achebe raises several interesting questions. One of these is the question of an idea of universal rights and wrongs. In traditional Ibo culture, twins were left to die at birth as they were harbingers of evil spirits. The colonizers come and vanquish this custom in order to save innocent children. In doing so, they upset Ibo culture. In this case, who is right? Achebe also raises questions about the culpability of the colonizers. In Western education today, colonization is blamed for a great deal of the present-day woes in Africa and Southeast Asia. Achebe's portrait of pre-colonial Africa is neither peaceful nor utopian. Local tribes war against each other without the artificial divisions later imposed by the colonizers. In this context, the modern-day conflicts in Nigeria between the Ibo, Hausa-Fulani, and the Yoruba come into clearer focus.
Achebe's writing style is simple and aggressive. You will be hard pressed to find a passive sentence, which makes for some choppy and dynamic literature. I felt like it read more like a translation than a book that was originally written in English. It is a quick read, 3 days at the most should do it. However, unless one has at least a passing interest in Africa and its cultures and histories, this book may be a bit dull. As a entertainment novella I wouldn't rate this book too high. However, this is a culturally diverse book, and I believe it is important enough to say that everybody should read it.
Book rewiew by Paulo R.
