Books

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, NICE CONTEMPORARY INSCRIPTION TO FRONT ENDPAPER FROM A HUSBAND TO HIS WIFE FROM IBADAN, NIGERIA & DATED 1962, PAGE FORE-EDGES ARE FOXED. OVERALL IN VERY GOOD CONDITION WITH NO MAJOR FAULTS. PLEASE NOTE THAT ANY WRINKLES OR REFLECTIONS SHOWN IN IMAGES OF DUST JACKET ARE ON THE SURFACE OF THE REMOVABLE PROTECT COVERING. EXTRA POSTAGE COSTS MAY APPLY TO OVERSEAS ORDERS.

"Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe is a landmark in African literature, first published in 1958. It unfolds the story of Okonkwo, a respected leader and fierce warrior in the Igbo village of Umuofia, set in Nigeria before and during the arrival of colonial powers. Achebe masterfully narrates Okonkwo's personal struggles against the backdrop of inevitable cultural change, offering a poignant exploration of the clash between traditional Igbo society and European colonialism. Okonkwo is determined to rise above the shame of his father's laziness and debt. His fears of weakness and failure drive him to a life of rigorous discipline, achieving status within his community through his prowess in wrestling and other feats. However, Okonkwo's rigid adherence to tradition and his inability to adapt lead to his tragic downfall. His personal life is marred by tragedy, anger, and a strict interpretation of masculinity, affecting his relationships with his family and his community. The arrival of Christian missionaries and British colonial officials accelerates the disintegration of the Igbo society. Achebe depicts this encounter not as a simplistic conflict of good versus evil but as a complex interplay of cultures, where the failure to understand each other leads to the erosion of the Igbo way of life. The novel culminates in Okonkwo's ultimate act of defiance and his subsequent despair, symbolizing the broader tragedy of colonization. "Things Fall Apart" is more than a story about colonialism; it is a deep, nuanced examination of the complexities of cultural change, identity, and the human condition. Achebe's narrative challenges stereotypical portrayals of Africans, providing a voice to a culture profoundly affected by external forces. This seminal work remains profoundly relevant, offering insights into the dynamics of cultural confrontation and change.