This short novel tells the story of Okonkwo,a traditional African farmer-warrior of the Ibo people of Nigeria. The story describes life in Ibo villages shortly before and during colonization by the British in the early part of the 20th century. The narrator's language is direct and simple, and the story is told as if to an audience comprised of people who share and understand Okonkwo's culture and history, with something of the cadence of a fable or a fairy tale. Okonkwo is proud, capable, and admired by his community for his strength and industry. Yet, he is deeply afraid of failure and of appearing weak, and his fear and inflexibility ultimately cause Okonkwo to have terrible difficulty adjusting to change. This famous African novel explores how both Okonkwo and his people handle the blessings and tragedies they face in both old and new ways. I found it memorable, but without the depth and layering that I prefer in my favorite fiction.

This book didn't do much for me. I never connected to the characters or the events in the village. It read more like a cultural study than a novel based on three-dimensional characters. The last chapter was the best as Achebe reveals the way outsiders view the tribe as opposed to how they view themselves. I've heard great things about it from other people. Overall, not my style.

I spent a good chunk of this book wondering if there was more to it than a retelling of how this Nigerian village and its people went through their days. But when it all comes into focus, be prepared for anger and tears.

Beautiful book. A classic.

The novel tells how a man was destroyed and a culture diminished by the imposition of the values of another culture. Part one discusses the complexity of the culture of the Ibo of late 19th and early 20th century Nigeria. The farmer and fighter Okonkwo’s life is skillfully narrated. To his credit, the author doesn’t hold back about unfairness and injustice of traditional communal customs. The other parts of the book describe how Okonkwo's lack of flexibility prevents him from adjusting to his old village upon his return. A new religion has been insinuated into Ibo country. Its values have undermined the God-concepts of the local people. All the former power relationships are upside down and conflict about basic morals and ethics damages a previously homogenous democracy. This is a justly famous novel that anybody interested in world literature should read. Many Igbo words are used since English words for the artifacts and concepts don't exist (a glossary is provided but the context is enough to understand) and it is interesting to read how members of other cultures use English to tell their stories.

I read this book for a college class and I didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did. If you're into history, I'd definitely recommend this book. Educational and interesting.

I had to read this for two different classes in college. It's one of the books I most enjoyed reading during college. This one should be on just about everyone's "must read" list.

This is a very Sophomore English book - suffering in South Africa. It's told in the style of oral history, with the local dialect mixed in for color and a shifting central character, though all the characters are members of the same clan. The subject/style isn't entirely to my taste, both because I'm generally peeved by the mixing in of foreign words in a novel, whether or not there is a glossary of terms available in the back [which there is in this case], and because I really did read books of this genre all through Sophomore year. The white man takes over with his church/government/ideals, the locals fight back in a vainglorious attempt at preserving their sacred way of life. A couple of characters die tragically, mirroring the death of a culture, crushed on the wheel of progress.
This book has a couple of poignant moments, but it's difficult, as the whitest white white person ever to white whitely, to really empathize with a culture when some of the biggest scenes in the book are things that from my cultural perspective are "barbaric", i.e. killing a kinsman without due process, ritualized human sacrifice, etc. Still, the main character is well developed and I did feel bad for him at the close of the novel.

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Ok, but not one of my favorites.

http://miasbooklist.blogspot.com/2006/12/things-fall-apart-chinua-achebe-rating.html

This was an amazing book...I read it in High School, and ever since...it has stayed with me; haunted me, you could say.

Truly memorable book. Worth your time.

Great book - not my usual type of read, but I really liked it. Gives a glimpse into tribal life/mentality - power structure, numerous gods that the clans worship, etc. How the white man integrated himself into the villages, converted tribesman and caused dissension among a previously unified clan.
Back cover: "A simple story of a "strong man" whose life is dominated by fear and anger... is written with remarkable economy and subtle irony. Uniquely and richly African, at the same time it reveals Achebe's keen awareness of the human qualities common to men of all times and places."

I had to read this book for a Polisci class but if you're interested in the history of Africa you would really like this book.

Really excellent but devastating book about the effect of change on a society.

a must read. great book

Achebe's classic novel of one African's experiences during colonialism is recommended for understanding the african condition today.

a masterpiece

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