Things Fall Apart

by Achebe, Chinua

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".

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. 

Other Collectible or Notable Editions

The Folio Society published a limited edition hardcover in 2008, London. This particular edition was illustrated by Kareem Ilya and is bound with yellow-gold cloth boards with blue illustration on the front. This item is accompanied by a slipcase. 

Anchor House (Random House) published a First thus paperback edition in 1994, New York.

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Things Fall Apart.
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Things Fall Apart.

by ACHEBE, Chinua.

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Published
1962
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London: William Heinemann Ltd,, 1962. First edition, second impression, of the author's first book, a foundation text of postcolonial African literature. Things Fall Apart was first published in 1958, the year after Ghana became the first African nation to gain independence. It is the first part of a trilogy set in the late 19th century, in the midst of… Read more about this item
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Things Fall Apart
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Things Fall Apart

by Chinua, Achebe

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First Edition
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1958
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London: William Heinemann, 1958. First Edition. Very Good/Very Good. First edition, first printing. Bound in publisher's red cloth with spine lettered in gilt.. Very Good. Cloth mottled and spine sunned, textblock edge foxed and pages toned. In a Very Good unclipped dust jacket with toning, heavy foxing to the white portions and light creasing to the flaps. The… Read more about this item
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Things Fall Apart.

Things Fall Apart.

by Achebe, Chinua

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Published
1959
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New York: Astor-Honor/ An Obolensky Book, 1959. First edition of this "true classic of world literature . . . A masterpiece that has inspired generations of writers in Nigeria, across Africa, and around the world" (Barack Obama). Octavo, original boards. Signed by Chinua Achebe on the title page. Near fine in a very good price-clipped dust jacket. Jacket design… Read more about this item
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Things Fall Apart
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Things Fall Apart

by Chinua Achebe

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African Writers Series 1
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1990
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Good
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A landmark work of modern African literature since its publication in 1958, Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart has become a classic which announced the arrival not only of a major writer but also marked the development of post-colonial literature in Africa and beyond. #1 in the legendary Heinemann African Writers Series. 1990 Heinemann Kenya reprint edition illustrated by Uche Okeke. Includes an… Read more about this item
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Things Fall Apart: Chinua Achebe (Penguin Modern Classics)

Things Fall Apart: Chinua Achebe (Penguin Modern Classics)

by Chinua Achebe

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Paperback
ISBN 10
0141186887
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Things Fall Apart.
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Things Fall Apart.

by ACHEBE, Chinua.

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1959
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New York: Astor-Honor,, 1959. First US edition, hardcover issue, of Achebe's first book which was rapidly established as a foundation text of post-colonial African literature. It was first published in the UK the previous year. Octavo. Original brown cloth, spine lettered in green and red, green patterned paper strip to front board, top edge brown. With dust jacket.… Read more about this item
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Things Fall Apart (African Writers Series) (French Edition)

Things Fall Apart (African Writers Series) (French Edition)

by Achebe, Chinua

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2008
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Paperback
ISBN 10
0435913506
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Heinemann, 2008. Paperback. Good. Disclaimer:A copy that has been read, but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact, and the cover is intact. The spine may show signs of wear. Pages can include limited notes and highlighting, and the copy can include previous owner inscriptions. At ThriftBooks, our motto is: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality… Read more about this item
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Things Fall Apart.

Things Fall Apart.

by ACHEBE, CHINUA.

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London; The Folio Society; 2008.. First Folio Edition; Demy 8vo; pp. vi, 175; illustrated coloured frontispiece, text with six full page coloured illustrations, bound in full orange cloth with printed and blocked with a design by the artist, housed in its original slipcase, very good copy. The authors debut novel first published in 1958. It depicts pre-colonial life in… Read more about this item
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Things Fall Apart: Chinua Achebe

Things Fall Apart: Chinua Achebe

by Achebe, Chinua

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Paperback
ISBN 10
0141023384
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Things Fall Apart: A Novel

Things Fall Apart: A Novel

by Achebe, Chinua

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Paperback
ISBN 10
0385474547
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Things Fall Apart.

Things Fall Apart.

by Achebe, Chinua

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Published
1959
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New York: Astor-Honor/ An Obolensky Book, 1959. First edition of this "true classic of world literature . . . A masterpiece that has inspired generations of writers in Nigeria, across Africa, and around the world" (Barack Obama). Octavo, original boards. Boldly signed by Chinua Achebe on the title page. Review copy, with the slip laid in, fine in a… Read more about this item
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Things Fall Apart: Chinua Achebe (Penguin Modern Classics)

Things Fall Apart: Chinua Achebe (Penguin Modern Classics)

by Chinua Achebe

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Paperback
ISBN 10
0141186887
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Things Fall Apart

Things Fall Apart

by Achebe, Chinua

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Published
1969
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Mass Market Paperback
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Fawcett, 1969. Mass Market Paperback. Good. 6x4x0. Thank you for supporting Earthlight Books and independent bookstores. Mass market paperback. Good condition. Light to moderate shelf wear to covers and pages. Fawcett T450 1st Printing Thus.
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Things Fall apart

Things Fall apart

by Chinua Achebe

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ISBN 10
0385474547
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Things Fall Apart: A Novel

Things Fall Apart: A Novel

by Chinua Achebe

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As New
Edition
2nd Printing
Published
2009
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Soft cover
ISBN 10
0385667833
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Anchor Canada, 2009. 2nd Printing. Soft cover. As New. 8vo - over 7¾ - 9¾" tall. THINGS FALL APART tells two overlapping, intertwining stories, both of which center around Okonkwo, a "strong man" of an Ibo village in Nigeria. The first of these stories traces Okonkwo's fall from grace with the tribal world in which he lives, and… Read more about this item
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Things Fall Apart (African Writers Series) (French Edition)

by Achebe, Chinua

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0435913506
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Heinemann. Used - Good. Good condition. A copy that has been read but remains intact. May contain markings such as bookplates, stamps, limited notes and highlighting, or a few light stains. Bundled media such as CDs, DVDs, floppy disks or access codes may not be included.
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Things Fall Apart.

by Achebe, Chinua.

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Reprint
Published
2001
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Paperback
ISBN 10
0141186887
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London: Penguin, 2001. 152pp. Paperback. Minor edge wear. . Reprint. Soft Cover. Very Good. 8vo.
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Things Fall Apart (Penguin Modern Classics)

by Chinua Achebe

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11/01/2001
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Paperback
ISBN 10
0141186887
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Penguin Classics, 11/01/2001. Paperback. Used; Good. **WE SHIP WITHIN 24 HRS FROM LONDON, UK, 98% OF OUR ORDERS ARE RECEIVED WITHIN 7-10 DAYS. We believe you will be completely satisfied with our quick and reliable service. All orders are dispatched as swiftly as possible! Buy with confidence! Greener Books.
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THINGS FALL APART
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THINGS FALL APART

by CHINUA ACHEBE

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Used - Very Good
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Edition
1st Edition
Published
1962
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Hardcover
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HEINEMANN, LONDON, 1962 SECOND PRINTING. HARDBACK BOUND IN THE ORIGINAL CLOTH BINDING WITH THE ORIGINAL PRICE CLIPPED DUST JACKET, HALF TITLE & FRONTIS PRESENT, SEVERAL FULL PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS. BOOK MEASURES APPROX 8 X 5 INCHES WITH 185 PAGES. SOME LIGHT RUBBING TO EDGES OF JACKET WITH A FEW MINOR CHIPS & A COUPLE OF MINOR CREASES TO EDGES OF JACKET,… Read more about this item
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Things Fall Apart

Things Fall Apart

by Achebe, Chinua; Ckeke, Uche

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Used - Good
Published
1987
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Paperback
ISBN 10
0435905260
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Heinemann Educational Books, 1987. Paperback. Good. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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