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bites_of_books's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Things Fall Apart is fiction but truly read like nonfiction at times, in a good way. I felt like all the characters were real and that made me feel even more for them as the story went on. Okonkwo is a complex character, a strong-willed man, proud of his heritage, and willing to do anything to protect all he cares about. The ending saddened me deeply, I have no words for that but I will say that it will stay with me for a long time.
I highly recommend, do take care and check content warnings though, not an easy read!
I highly recommend, do take care and check content warnings though, not an easy read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Suicide, War, Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Child death, Death, Miscarriage, Body horror, Animal cruelty, Colonisation, Grief, and Emotional abuse
antidietleah's review against another edition
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Death, Miscarriage, Sexism, Pregnancy, Suicide, Physical abuse, Violence, Infertility, Murder, Child death, Abandonment, Misogyny, Colonisation, Domestic abuse, and Child abuse
galiiey's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Suicide, Child abuse, Murder, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Rape
olivessam's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I want someone to teach me how to cook yams
Content Warnings
Moderate: Colonisation, Domestic abuse, Murder, and Racism
miranda_coward03's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Racism, and Murder
willowbiblio's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
"Not even the oldest man in Umuofia had ever heard such a strange and fearful sound, and it was never to be heard again. It seemed as if the very soul of the tribe wept for a great evil that was coming - it's own death."
------------------------------
I think I love this book even more the reread (#5?), if possible. Achebe strongly established a beautiful culture of rituals, traditions, self-governance, religion, and society. He represented a highly complex society.
Okonkwo showing up at the cave despite his harsh exterior, and that it was his fourth trip, was an excellent display of the complexity of human nature. The use of proverbs to convey lessons and emotions also established the reader in the setting and culture. The stories being told as lessons and warnings grounded us in the depth of history and mysticism.
I loved the use of sounds and fairly simple prose. Removing Okonkwo from his home and returning to it after the colonists established themselves was an excellent way to juxtapose the changes their society had undergone. In addition, the way Achebe bracketed the killing of Ikemefuna and murder of a convert, both by machete and by Enzemia convincing Okonkwo to eat again was truly inspired.
I feel like every time I read this novel I see a new layer to it, and I'm even more astounded by Achebe's brilliance. This is the first time I realized it was the first in a trilogy, so I'm beyond excited to continue this excellent story.
------------------------------
I think I love this book even more the reread (#5?), if possible. Achebe strongly established a beautiful culture of rituals, traditions, self-governance, religion, and society. He represented a highly complex society.
Okonkwo showing up at the cave despite his harsh exterior, and that it was his fourth trip, was an excellent display of the complexity of human nature. The use of proverbs to convey lessons and emotions also established the reader in the setting and culture. The stories being told as lessons and warnings grounded us in the depth of history and mysticism.
I loved the use of sounds and fairly simple prose. Removing Okonkwo from his home and returning to it after the colonists established themselves was an excellent way to juxtapose the changes their society had undergone. In addition, the way Achebe bracketed the killing of Ikemefuna and murder of a convert, both by machete and by Enzemia convincing Okonkwo to eat again was truly inspired.
I feel like every time I read this novel I see a new layer to it, and I'm even more astounded by Achebe's brilliance. This is the first time I realized it was the first in a trilogy, so I'm beyond excited to continue this excellent story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
aleksander_at_sea's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Suicide, and Racism
Moderate: Murder and Violence
jeremie's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Suicide, Colonisation, and Misogyny
Moderate: Murder and Child abuse
dreamwifu's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
this was a school read, but it was truly so interesting until it came up to the second half of the book that made my brain hurt a little. i was so interested and immersed in the culture, but the colonalism aspect truly ruined such a beautiful story which i guess was the point of adding it. the end was actually a great way to end this, so i still think of the book highly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Suicide, and Colonisation
Moderate: Murder, Violence, and Child abuse
Minor: Gun violence
wellreadandhalfdead's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Colonisation
Moderate: Suicide