Chinua Achebe Books

"Chinua Achebe is considered the father of modern African literature, the writer who "opened the magic casements of African fiction." The African Trilogy--comprised of Things Fall Apart, Arrow of God, and No Longer at Ease--is his magnum opus. In these masterly novels, Achebe brilliantly imagines the lives of three generations of an African community as their world is upended by the forces of colonialism from the first arrival of the British to the waning days of empire. The trilogy opens with the groundbreaking Things Fall Apart, the tale of Okonkwo, a hero in his village, whose clashes with missionaries -- coupled with his own tragic pride -- lead to his fall from grace. Arrow of God takes up the ongoing conflict between continuity and change as Ezeulu, the headstrong chief priest, finds his authority is under threat from rivals and colonial functionaries. But he believes himself to be untouchable and is determined to lead his people, even if it is towards their own destruction. Finally, in No Longer at Ease, Okonkwo's grandson, educated in England, returns to a civil-service job in Lagos, only to see his morality erode as he clings to his membership in the ruling elite. Drawing on the traditional Igbo tales of Achebe's youth, The African Trilogy is a literary landmark, a mythic and universal tale of modern Africa. As Toni Morrison wrote, "African literature is incomplete and unthinkable without the works of Chinua Achebe. For passion, intellect and crystalline prose, he is unsurpassed""-- Provided by publisher

Collects three of the author's novels, all inspired by the tragedies faced by the Igbo people during the European colonization of Africa.

Chinua Achebe's interviews, spanning over three decades, reveal his profound insights and articulate perspectives on literature and life. Known as a pivotal figure in African literature, he discusses the significance of storytelling from an African viewpoint and the responsibility of writers to address serious societal issues. His engaging conversational style, marked by vivid imagery and clarity, allows readers to connect deeply with his thoughts. Achebe emphasizes the expectation for literature to provide meaningful commentary on human experiences, reflecting his commitment to impactful storytelling.

"The trilogy opens with the groundbreaking Things Fall Apart, the tale of Okonkwo, a hero in his village, whose clashes with missionaries -- coupled with his own tragic pride -- lead to his fall from grace. Arrow of God takes up the ongoing conflict between continuity and change as Ezeulu, the headstrong chief priest, finds his authority is under threat from rivals and colonial functionaries. But he believes himself to be untouchable and is determined to lead his people, even if it is towards their own destruction. Finally, in No Longer at Ease, Okonkwo's grandson, educated in England, returns to a civil-service job in Lagos, only to see his morality erode as he clings to his membership in the ruling elite"-- Provided by publisher

Gives us a portrait of growing up in colonial Nigeria and inhabiting its 'middle ground', interrogating both the author's happy memories of reading English adventure stories in secondary school and also the harsher truths of colonial rule.

Chinua Achebe's poetic output is gathered together in this volume by arguably the most influential African writer of the 20th century.

The collection features autobiographically influenced essays from the recipient of the 2002 Peace Prize of the German Book Trade. Through personal reflections, the author explores themes of identity, culture, and the impact of literature on society. These essays provide insight into the author's life experiences and thoughts on peace, making a poignant contribution to contemporary discussions on literature and its role in fostering understanding and dialogue.

This novel about Nigeria prophesied the 1983 coup.

Twelve stories by the internationally renowned novelist which recreate with energy and authenticity the major social and political issues that confront contemporary Africans on a daily basis

Obi Okonkwo is an idealistic young man who has now returned to Nigeria for a job in the civil service. However in his new role he finds that the way of government seems to be corruption. Obi manages to resist the bribes offered to him, but when he falls in love with an unsuitable girl, he sinks further into emotional and financial turmoil.