Reviews with content warning for Murder - Things Fall Apart

"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."
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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

aleksander_at_sea's review

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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

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jeremie's review against another edition

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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

dreamwifu's review

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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

wellreadandhalfdead's review against another edition

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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

abmochapman's review against another edition

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challenging dark informative mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

“A man's life from birth to death, was a series of transition rites which brought him nearer and nearer to his ancestors.”

Things Fall Apart remains a literary masterpiece almost three decades since its release. At first slow and meandering, offering a survey of Igbo culture prior to the devastation of British forces, this novel shows just how quickly and suddenly a people can be made to fall apart when faced with colonial rule and violence.

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