Things Fall Apart... A Glimpse of Africa

Things Fall Apart (1958), a novel by Chinua Achebe, is the simple story of a man, of a family, of a clan, of an entire continent, told in a nostalgic tone uncluttered by the complexities of technique. Captivating and intimate, it  reveals the true colors of the "black continent".
The reader is taken to the very 'heart of darkness'. Yet what we find their is not only the seemingly brutal  callousness of an uncivilized race of humans who beat their women, offer their young in sacrifice and throw new born twins into the forests. Instead of a scrutinizing analysis of the wild man, the reader is allowed a glimpse of  their culture, of the underlying humanity of their ways, their norms, their justice, their faith. We are reminded of our own limitations of condemning, of judging on matters of morality, for "who is to tell His will? It is too great to be known."
Achebe's novel animates the struggles of the people of Africa who are torn between the age-old ways of their clans and the modernity that the white man brings from across the borders- religion, government, civilization.

The Penguin Classics edition of Things Fall Apart comes with an introduction by Biyi Bandele. Thought provoking and insightful, it explains Achebe's contribution in redefining the image of Africa in the West as one of the pioneering writers of English fiction from Africa. It is no wonder that the Guardian named him 'The Founding Father of the African novel in English'.


An excerpt from the novel:

"'You say there is one supreme God who made heaven and earth', said Akunna on one of Mr. Brown's visits. 'We also believe in Him and call Him Chukwu. He made all the world and the other gods.'

'There are no other gods,' said Mr. Brown. 'Chukwu is the only God and all the others are false. You carve a piece of wood- like that one' (he pointed at the rafters from which Akunna's carved Ikenga hung), 'and you call it god. But it is still a piece of wood.'

'Yes,' said Akuna. 'It is indeed a piece of wood. The tree from which it came was made by Chukwu, as indeed all minor gods were. He made them for His messengers so we could approach Him through them..."