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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
challenging
tense
medium-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:
Complicated
dark
informative
medium-paced
Things Fall Apart had a slow start, but once those dang Europeans come along, it gets really good and far more depressing. That being said, you learn a lot about precolonial Igbo, how a polygamic family operates, how men are supposed to react to change and uncertainty when strength is valued above all else.
The novel wrestles with how a man of tradition and honor has to wrestle with the constantly changing society. By the end of the novel, Okonkwo's world has entirely fallen apart (I see what you did there!) and we get to experience him trying to deal with his worldview being shattered around him. But I love that he sticks to his values, despite the many broken relationships he causes, oftentimes within his own family.
Perhaps my favorite relationship is between Okonkwo and his daughter Ezinma, who is shunned by the village but loved by her father. Also her backstory is very tragic in the best of ways! Really the entire family has other complicated relationships, reflecting and contrasting with Okonkwo through all sorts of ways: His eldest is weak and thus unloved. His daughter is strong, but a girl so he cannot show her affection lest he be viewed as weak. His adopted son challenges him, leading to some very fun conflict.
Been a while since I read this, so I might be remembering some things wrong; BUT you should totally read this as a firsthand witness of late Igbo tribalism and early colonization of Nigeria. I especially loved seeing how both the privileged and weak Igbo reacted to this new power coming in.
The novel wrestles with how a man of tradition and honor has to wrestle with the constantly changing society. By the end of the novel, Okonkwo's world has entirely fallen apart (I see what you did there!) and we get to experience him trying to deal with his worldview being shattered around him. But I love that he sticks to his values, despite the many broken relationships he causes, oftentimes within his own family.
Perhaps my favorite relationship is between Okonkwo and his daughter Ezinma, who is shunned by the village but loved by her father. Also her backstory is very tragic in the best of ways! Really the entire family has other complicated relationships, reflecting and contrasting with Okonkwo through all sorts of ways: His eldest is weak and thus unloved. His daughter is strong, but a girl so he cannot show her affection lest he be viewed as weak. His adopted son challenges him, leading to some very fun conflict.
Been a while since I read this, so I might be remembering some things wrong; BUT you should totally read this as a firsthand witness of late Igbo tribalism and early colonization of Nigeria. I especially loved seeing how both the privileged and weak Igbo reacted to this new power coming in.
The white man is very clever. He came quietly and peaceably with his religion. We were amused at his foolishness and allowed him to stay. Now he has won our brothers, and our clan can no longer act like one. He has put a knife on the things that held us together and we have fallen apart.
I only read Things Fall Apart for a seminar and wouldn't have chosen it based on my personal interests, as this is not a book I would typically read.
I am not a fan of Achebe's writing style and there was sadly no clear plot going on that managed to keep me interested. The last few pages were very powerful, but otherwise it was just an average book with an average story. What I did like though, is that it introduced me to the Igbo culture with its customs and traditions, which succeeded in piquing my interest for a bit.
I completely understand why this is regarded as a classic and why it is such an important part of postcolonial literature, but it sadly didn't do much for me in terms of enjoyment.
I only read Things Fall Apart for a seminar and wouldn't have chosen it based on my personal interests, as this is not a book I would typically read.
I am not a fan of Achebe's writing style and there was sadly no clear plot going on that managed to keep me interested. The last few pages were very powerful, but otherwise it was just an average book with an average story. What I did like though, is that it introduced me to the Igbo culture with its customs and traditions, which succeeded in piquing my interest for a bit.
I completely understand why this is regarded as a classic and why it is such an important part of postcolonial literature, but it sadly didn't do much for me in terms of enjoyment.
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
the first half didn't get me, at all. i found the writing dry, coarse, and hard to swallow. narratively, it caught my eye quickly. fantastic interactions, but other than that, i didn't initially adore it. those last 70 pages, that last paragraphe, make the entire book worth reading again and again. couldn't have been happier to pull through.
emotional
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It took me awhile to become interested in this book. While I was interested in the historical details and the setting, I had no sympathy for the main character. The book's summary talks about Okonkwo's fall from grace, the clash of cultures, and the arrival of missionaries. All of that didn't happen until the second half of the novel and was wrapped up very quickly.
Achebe presents a fascinating look at everyday life in Nigeria. Unfortunately, the characters just didn't resonate with me. Still a worthwhile read.
Achebe presents a fascinating look at everyday life in Nigeria. Unfortunately, the characters just didn't resonate with me. Still a worthwhile read.