75 pages 2 hours read

Chinua Achebe

Things Fall Apart

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1958

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe follows Okonkwo, a determined and strong-willed man in the Ibo village of Umuofia, as he strives to overcome his father’s legacy of shame. His journey is shaped by personal triumphs and tragedies, local customs, and the disruptive impact of European colonialism, which eventually leads to profound changes in his community and his fate. Topics of physical violence and suicide appear in the book.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe has been widely praised for its profound depiction of African culture and the impact of colonialism. Critics commend its rich storytelling and complex characters, particularly Okonkwo. Some readers find the pacing slow and the language dense, but its literary significance is undeniable. Overall, it remains an essential read in world literature. MLA: Achebe, Chinua. Things Fall Apart.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Things Fall Apart?

A reader who would enjoy Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe is interested in African culture, history, and colonial impacts. Fans of Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad or One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez will appreciate its rich narrative and exploration of complex societal changes.

Recommended

Reading Age

15+years

Lexile Level

890L

Book Details

Themes

Relationships: Daughters & Sons

Society: Colonialism

Period

Colonialism / Postcolonialism

Heinemann African Writers

Genre

African Literature

Topics

History: African