Things Fall Apart is the first novel by Nigerian author Chinua Achebe, first published in 1958. It describes pre-colonial life in Igboland (present-day southeastern Nigeria) and the subsequent emergence of European missionaries and colonial forces in the late 19th century. It is considered the archetypal modern African novel in English and one of the first to receive worldwide critical acclaim.
It is a staple book in schools throughout Africa and is widely read and studied in English-speaking countries around the world. The novel was first published in the United Kingdom in 1958 by William Heinemann Ltd and became the first work published in Heinemann’s African Writers Series.
About Book
| Title | Things Fall Apart |
| Author | Chinua Achebe |
| Year of Publication | 1958 |
| Genres | Novel |
| Language | English |
| File Format | |
| Number of Pages | 285 |
Things Fall Apart Summary
The novel follows the life of Okonkwo, an influential leader of the fictional Igbo (“Ibo” in the novel) clan of Umuofia, who is, among other things, a feared warrior and a local fighting champion. The play is divided into three parts, the first describes his family, his personal history, his violent exterior and tortured soul, and the customs and society of the Igbo. The second and third sections present the influence of European colonialism and Christian missionaries on Okonkwo, his family, and the Igbo community at large.
Things Fall Apart Review
A simple story of a “strong man” whose life is dominated by fear and anger, Things Fall Apart is written with remarkable economy and subtle irony. Uniquely and richly African, it at the same time reveals Achebe’s acute awareness of the human qualities common to men of all times and places.
About the Author
Chinua Achebe (1930–2013) was born in Nigeria. Widely considered to be the father of modern African literature, he is best known for his masterful African Trilogy, consisting of Things Fall Apart, Arrow of God, and No Longer at Ease. The trilogy tells the story of a single Nigerian community over three generations from first colonial contact to urban migration and the breakdown of traditional cultures.
Things Fall Apart PDF
