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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
fast-paced
Had to read for Ap Lit. It’s was interesting but a little slow to get to the climax of the story
Interesting insight into the cultures and traditions of Nigerian villages, heartbreaking to read about the destruction of the lives they used to know...
challenging
dark
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I have to think about this book a lot more. I liked it.... I think it does an excellent job showing how white colonists did not understand the complex societies of sub-Saharan Africa and made no attempt to do so.
This book for me lacked any intellectual depth-- limited by the vocabulary and also hindered by the foreign names, tribes, and places. Characters died, but I felt I truly didn't have the connection to miss them.
Wish I enjoyed it more. Maybe next time.
_________________________
My Extended Review:
I want desperately to see this story in the way those who have raved about it might. For this novel to be brilliant, it depends on displacing the blame for Okonkwo's actions to his father. If Okonkwo's aggression and heartlessness is because he is trying to overcome his father's low-prestige and laziness, then Okonkwo is a hero: he rises from obscurity under his own power and without support. He out-wrestles the man called the "cat". He is named chief. He becomes a successful farmer. He marries several wives. All of this is in stark comparison to his father's utter nothingness. It is therefor TRAGIC that Okonkwo felt he had to kill his son. It is tragic.
With all of this said, I am still openly disturbed at Okonkwo's "sins against the Earth": whipping his wives, killing his son, committing suicide. I realize I am casting uncontextualized shame on Okonkwo, and by relation on Achebe. However, regardless of context, murder is wrong, and I do not apologize for my western bias when I say this.
So, it is understatement to say I lacked connection to the characters. I mean, I get that Romeo or Juliet aren't supposed to be empathized with, just as Oedipus must not be. It is only in retrospect that their actions are tragic-- as if fate played its role. So it could be that I read the book all wrong. I just don't understand a world where a character is named chief for winning a wrestling match, and exiled not when he kills his son, but when his gun accidentally explodes. Not that I understand a world where marrying a person is worth murdering over, or one in which a person can become king by solving a sphynx's riddle.
I guess the tragedy of Okonkwo's life is a result of an unjust society. The best part of the story to me is that it muddies up the once polarized imperialist and anti-imperialist perspectives. From an Amero-centric viewpoint, indigenous peoples are the ground-spring from which civilization arose. It is unforgivable what the Christian westerners did to these people, but some argue inevitable.
Wish I enjoyed it more. Maybe next time.
_________________________
My Extended Review:
I want desperately to see this story in the way those who have raved about it might. For this novel to be brilliant, it depends on displacing the blame for Okonkwo's actions to his father. If Okonkwo's aggression and heartlessness is because he is trying to overcome his father's low-prestige and laziness, then Okonkwo is a hero: he rises from obscurity under his own power and without support. He out-wrestles the man called the "cat". He is named chief. He becomes a successful farmer. He marries several wives. All of this is in stark comparison to his father's utter nothingness. It is therefor TRAGIC that Okonkwo felt he had to kill his son. It is tragic.
With all of this said, I am still openly disturbed at Okonkwo's "sins against the Earth": whipping his wives, killing his son, committing suicide. I realize I am casting uncontextualized shame on Okonkwo, and by relation on Achebe. However, regardless of context, murder is wrong, and I do not apologize for my western bias when I say this.
So, it is understatement to say I lacked connection to the characters. I mean, I get that Romeo or Juliet aren't supposed to be empathized with, just as Oedipus must not be. It is only in retrospect that their actions are tragic-- as if fate played its role. So it could be that I read the book all wrong. I just don't understand a world where a character is named chief for winning a wrestling match, and exiled not when he kills his son, but when his gun accidentally explodes. Not that I understand a world where marrying a person is worth murdering over, or one in which a person can become king by solving a sphynx's riddle.
I guess the tragedy of Okonkwo's life is a result of an unjust society. The best part of the story to me is that it muddies up the once polarized imperialist and anti-imperialist perspectives. From an Amero-centric viewpoint, indigenous peoples are the ground-spring from which civilization arose. It is unforgivable what the Christian westerners did to these people, but some argue inevitable.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Chinua Achebe, autor nigeriano de la Trilogía africana, publicó en 1958 su primera entrega: «Todo se desmorona». Esta es la obra africana más traducida del mundo, es lectura obligatoria en varios países y sin duda representa excepcionalmente la humillación que sufrieron los nigerianos a manos del hombre blanco. Decidí estrenarme en el #blackhistoryjuly de @trotalibros con este escrito y debo decir que es la mejor decisión que pude tomar.
En esta historia conoceremos a Okonkwo, un representante claro de la sociedad extremista, un hombre execrable en sus actos y conductas (violento sobre todo con sus mujeres e hijos) pero reconocido como buen granjero y gran guerrero. Sus ideales inquebrantables serán lo que caracterice a este personaje, que prospera y que logra la admiración de todos en su aldea. Aunque a lo largo del camino pueda resultar aborrecible, es inevitable empatizar y emocionarte inconmensurablemente con él llegado el final.
Esta novela nos muestra las más antiguas creencias, ritos, leyendas y sinfín de supersticiones propias de esta cultura que fue arrasada. Todos esos pasajes narrados en su primera parte son sin duda de gran interés social y cultural enriqueciendo al lector no solo a nivel literario. Narrada de manera ágil y sencilla, incluyendo palabras en su lengua, Achebe sorprende y desmenuza un valioso y hermoso testimonio de esta atrocidad.
El tema que toma peso es la colonización, aquella que rechazó y amedrentó las costumbres de tantas personas ferozmente y sin ningún tipo de piedad. Nos brinda una visión espeluznante del inicio del desmoronamiento de una civilización por parte del hombre blanco. Todo sucede paulatinamente, la construcción de iglesias, la conversión de los aldeanos al cristianismo, la ofensa a sus dioses… esto termina sacudiendo a este protagonista representativo de toda la sociedad africana.
En conclusión, solo debo añadir que leer a este autor es infiltrarte y viajar a través de sus páginas a un lugar desconocido con una instrucción y unos conocimientos que difieren tanto de los nuestros que enriquecen y nutren nuestro saber. Un paso adelante para conocer más en profundidad la brutalidad del colonialismo y de la extirpación de identidad que tantos seres han sufrido en la historia de la humanidad. Brutal, acongojante y real.
En esta historia conoceremos a Okonkwo, un representante claro de la sociedad extremista, un hombre execrable en sus actos y conductas (violento sobre todo con sus mujeres e hijos) pero reconocido como buen granjero y gran guerrero. Sus ideales inquebrantables serán lo que caracterice a este personaje, que prospera y que logra la admiración de todos en su aldea. Aunque a lo largo del camino pueda resultar aborrecible, es inevitable empatizar y emocionarte inconmensurablemente con él llegado el final.
Esta novela nos muestra las más antiguas creencias, ritos, leyendas y sinfín de supersticiones propias de esta cultura que fue arrasada. Todos esos pasajes narrados en su primera parte son sin duda de gran interés social y cultural enriqueciendo al lector no solo a nivel literario. Narrada de manera ágil y sencilla, incluyendo palabras en su lengua, Achebe sorprende y desmenuza un valioso y hermoso testimonio de esta atrocidad.
El tema que toma peso es la colonización, aquella que rechazó y amedrentó las costumbres de tantas personas ferozmente y sin ningún tipo de piedad. Nos brinda una visión espeluznante del inicio del desmoronamiento de una civilización por parte del hombre blanco. Todo sucede paulatinamente, la construcción de iglesias, la conversión de los aldeanos al cristianismo, la ofensa a sus dioses… esto termina sacudiendo a este protagonista representativo de toda la sociedad africana.
En conclusión, solo debo añadir que leer a este autor es infiltrarte y viajar a través de sus páginas a un lugar desconocido con una instrucción y unos conocimientos que difieren tanto de los nuestros que enriquecen y nutren nuestro saber. Un paso adelante para conocer más en profundidad la brutalidad del colonialismo y de la extirpación de identidad que tantos seres han sufrido en la historia de la humanidad. Brutal, acongojante y real.
informative
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
I think one of the great tragedies of this book is how the tribe laments the breakdown of unity within the tribe after the colonial missionaries arrive.
However, as we see the missionaries gain so many followers because so many are made to feel or are literally ostracised and outcasted by the tribe, often due to imposed patriarchal values and beliefs where those seen as effeminate or week are shamed.
"A child cast out from the village will burn it down just to feel its warmth"
However, as we see the missionaries gain so many followers because so many are made to feel or are literally ostracised and outcasted by the tribe, often due to imposed patriarchal values and beliefs where those seen as effeminate or week are shamed.
"A child cast out from the village will burn it down just to feel its warmth"
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No