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001's review
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
kcrouth's review against another edition
3.0
I read this book because it was on my bookshelf and it appears on several "must-read" lists i have. This is a cool story that offers insight into pre-modern African culture, and also some perspective on how western influences of the 20th century affected their society. It is sad to read yet another story of the western white man coming in with supposedly superior religion and culture and imposing it on the native peoples in the name of progress and "salvation". The characters are especially interesting in that we see how very much alike they are to us "moderns", even though on the surface they seem so different. I'm glad i read this, but i feel that much of its acclaim probably has as much to do with when it was written as with its content. I see that it may have influenced Barbara Kingsolver in her Poisonwood Bible, which is a much better book, IMO.
trizie81's review against another edition
4.0
Story about an african clansman living in the times of christians trying to convert all people to their belive. First the tale is about his normal life and only in the last third it's about white men coming to his region and imposing new laws and a new ethical system/order that doesn't at all seem to be better or more equal or more just. I like the stories and explanations of their believe and social system. It's a very well written story in simple words though about the clash of indigenous people and missionaries.
__gungun__chakraborty___'s review
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
spectracommunist's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
“There is no story that is not true, [...] The world has no end, and what is good among one people is an abomination with others.”
The African literature after the colonialization was mostly written by the Europeans, so this series of books a.k.a 'The African Trilogy' was written by Achebe an African Cristian who then rejected his Christian name and settled on the traditional one in the response of the books such as 'Heart of Darkness' by Joseph Conrad who claimed Africans as cultureless savages.
The plot was an utmost fascination for me to read this book as I was seeking for historical religious conflicts. Overall, this book is awesome, but the initial half of it is too much revolving around culture, tradition, and values to unprove the European's perspective that it lost its structure and charms at many a times. But the half of it - after the arrival of Christians - it's damn interesting.
There's a lot of varieties in characters - Okonkwo being stubborn, manly, aggressive, a hustler, a classic hero with tragic flaws to bring his own wrath. Nwoye and Unoka being the opposite with traits and flaws. Even the British were distinguished from each other - the benevolent Mr. Brown and the totally Black/White Reverend Smith. There are great symbols and motifs that personify every aspect of the history.
Despite some of its flaws, it was a great read to understand Africa ...
“There is no story that is not true, [...] The world has no end, and what is good among one people is an abomination with others.”
The African literature after the colonialization was mostly written by the Europeans, so this series of books a.k.a 'The African Trilogy' was written by Achebe an African Cristian who then rejected his Christian name and settled on the traditional one in the response of the books such as 'Heart of Darkness' by Joseph Conrad who claimed Africans as cultureless savages.
The plot was an utmost fascination for me to read this book as I was seeking for historical religious conflicts. Overall, this book is awesome, but the initial half of it is too much revolving around culture, tradition, and values to unprove the European's perspective that it lost its structure and charms at many a times. But the half of it - after the arrival of Christians - it's damn interesting.
There's a lot of varieties in characters - Okonkwo being stubborn, manly, aggressive, a hustler, a classic hero with tragic flaws to bring his own wrath. Nwoye and Unoka being the opposite with traits and flaws. Even the British were distinguished from each other - the benevolent Mr. Brown and the totally Black/White Reverend Smith. There are great symbols and motifs that personify every aspect of the history.
Despite some of its flaws, it was a great read to understand Africa ...
osaruyi44's review
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
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
mollybloom's review
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
alfie_reads's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.25
One of the essential classics on colonialism. This is a very important book that doesn’t read like a boring history lesson, rather it’s an engaging look from the other side of the empire. Need to finish the rest of this trilogy!
katykelly's review against another edition
3.0
One of those 'should really try this' reads. Culturally informative.
I've never read the author, but seen the titles around in libraries, I took the plunge with an audiobook, which actually did feel more immersive, though it did require concentration, keeping track of the names.
The culture of the Nigeria in the book feels present, strong and visual. Okonkwo's story is that of a man raised high and his fall, as well as that of his community and how it changes with the arrival of those from outside.
For me, the story of the man, his family, his culture and values was the more interesting, seeing a very different world, how women are treated, how disgrace changes the prospects of not just one man but the entire family and even tribe.
I found this very hard to listen to at times, with some very similar names to track, but I'm glad I pursued this as reading outside my comfort zone is something I believe stretches me and my awareness of the world.
While I probably won't continue with the trilogy, I am glad to have sampled the author and broadened my horizons a little.
I've never read the author, but seen the titles around in libraries, I took the plunge with an audiobook, which actually did feel more immersive, though it did require concentration, keeping track of the names.
The culture of the Nigeria in the book feels present, strong and visual. Okonkwo's story is that of a man raised high and his fall, as well as that of his community and how it changes with the arrival of those from outside.
For me, the story of the man, his family, his culture and values was the more interesting, seeing a very different world, how women are treated, how disgrace changes the prospects of not just one man but the entire family and even tribe.
I found this very hard to listen to at times, with some very similar names to track, but I'm glad I pursued this as reading outside my comfort zone is something I believe stretches me and my awareness of the world.
While I probably won't continue with the trilogy, I am glad to have sampled the author and broadened my horizons a little.