Things Fall Apart Paperback - 1986
by Chinua Achebe
About this book
In his debut novel, Chinua Achebe challenges our written perspective of history and portrays the devastating influence of colonization in late 19th century Nigeria. Things Fall Apart explores one man's futile resistance to the devaluing of his Igbo traditions by British political and religious forces and his despair as his community capitulates to the powerful new order. The story follows Okonkwo, a man known for his fierce heart and physical strength, as he navigates his personal demons and his ability to protect those that he loves during the upcoming face of destruction. It is a conflict of both his personal identity as a traditionally masculine protector, as well as the desperate struggle to retain freedom.
Things Fall Apart has been translated in over 60 different languages, remaining a powerful influence to individuals worldwide and one of the first African novels written in English to receive global critical acclaim. The title of the novel comes from William Butler Yeats' poem "The Second Coming".
Reader reviews for Things Fall Apart
Review summary
Readers broadly regard Chinua Achebe’s novel as a landmark work: a clear, nuanced portrayal of Igbo life and the cultural upheaval wrought by British missionaries and colonial rule. Many praise its rich social detail, proverbs, and balanced refusal to romanticize either indigenous practices or the colonizers, as well as its devastating, perspective-shifting ending. Okonkwo, the fiercely masculine protagonist, divides opinion—seen by many as abusive and difficult to like, yet also a tragic figure crushed by historical change. While widely deemed essential and thought?provoking, some find the book slow or episodic, with a thin plot and limited emotional access, and a few view its anti?colonial message as muddled. Even detractors acknowledge its historical importance and suitability for discussion.
Readers say this book is:
classicpowerfulthought?provokingnuancededucationaldevastating endingslow?pacedepisodicunlikable protagonistbleakWrite a review for this book
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First edition identification
William Heinemann Ltd., published a First UK Edition, First Printing hardcover in 1958, London. The edition is bound by red cloth boards and gilt lettering on the spine.
Astor-Honor/Obolensky published a First US Edition, First Printing in 1959, New York. This particular edition has a dust jacket designed by Ronald Clyne.
William Heinemann Ltd., published a First UK Edition, Second Impression hardcover in 1962, London. The edition is characterized by its orange cloth boards, and gilt lettering on the spine. The original dust jacket was designed with C. W. Bacon, and the illustrations were created by Dennis Carabine.
Details
- Title Things Fall Apart
- Author Chinua Achebe
- Binding Paperback
- Edition Reprint
- Pages 152
- Volumes 1
- Language ENG
- Publisher Heinemann Educational Books, Westport, Connecticut, U.S.A.
- Publication date June 1986
- ISBN 9780435909888 / 0435909886
- Reading level 890
- Category Fiction - General
- Dewey Decimal Code FIC
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