Reviews

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

alyssafraley's review against another edition

dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

brendini's review against another edition

5.0

Slow to start, once it gets going the narrative and thematic threads of this work come together to tell one of the most compelling stories I have ever read.

evalion231's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective fast-paced

4.0

Ok def need to reread w a closer reading because this was such a rich text. much to say abt gender, world view/religion, pre-colonization/colonization, family/filial piety. idk if I even followed it all or unpacked any of it

andreastopit's review against another edition

challenging fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

cordeliana's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

mittland's review against another edition

5.0

overwhelming. there's an easy repetitiveness to this book that makes it sort of dreamy to read, so the ending really hit me hard. this might be a new favorite, I need to sit with this a moment to recover

btmaddix's review against another edition

dark reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

styxis's review against another edition

3.0

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.

doiread's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death and Colonisation

Moderate: Suicide, Murder, and Xenophobia

mmirjamm's review against another edition

dark reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75