Rating:  Summary: A strong man troubled by fear and anger Review: Chinua Achebe's "Things Fall Apart" works on many levels, a story of Nigerian tribal life before the colonization by whites, and the tale of Okonkwo, a tribal leader.The prose is simple, yet descriptive in immersing the reader within the daily life of a village. We learn the customs, see the people both struggle and prosper with their farming, and watch as Okonkwo rises to prominence within his group. Determined not to become like his ne'er do well but well-liked father, Okonkwo is a hard worker, ambitious leader, but cruel to his family. As the story unfolds, he allows his pride and sense of duty to tradition overcome what in his heart he knows must be wrong. There is a moving portion involving an adopted son from a rival village where the reader suspects that a tragic outcome awaits. Eventually, an accident, but serious transgression, results in his exile from the village. Okonkwo remains determined to return and take his place among the tribal leaders, but then the white men arrive with their new religious ideas. This is one of those books that you wonder about as your reading, until you've completed it and then realize you have to read it again to catch all of the ideas between the lines. Okonkwo is a well-drawn character, full of strengths and character flaws that make this novel compelling. It's a thinker.
Rating:  Summary: Good Seller, Would recommend Review: they did a good job packaging and shipping and had a GREAT price. the only thing the didn't do is send an email confirming that they shipped the item. besides that little, they are a great seller and would recommend.
Rating:  Summary: ITS LITERARY DYNAMICS IS PERPETUAL Review: Having been translated into all the major languages, "Things Fall Apart" commands an attentive audience world-wide. It is a superlative novel whose literary dynamics seem perpetual. Brimming with intrigue and suspense, it has remained Professor Achebe's most famous work; and many experts would not hesitate to call it his best.
Rating:  Summary: A SImple Story with a Powerful Ending Review: A read this book as it was cited as one of the 100 greatest books of all time by a group of Scandinavian Scholars. I usually do not like reading books in translation and, in the beginning; I felt I would surely be disappointed. The language is simple (more complex language is sometimes misspelled in this text-- I found a few mistakes)... but as the story progresses, the characters gain dimension. Until the last two pages I felt the work was solid. Then comes the end. Powerful when put in perspective... akin to the end of 'Grapes of Wrath.' Another word of advice, don't read the commentary on the back flap of the book... I had a hard time believing that whoever wrote it and I read the same book...
Rating:  Summary: Best fiction book I ever read Review: I don't like reading fiction at all. The only time I ever read fiction was in school. That is when I read this book. Could you imagine, I still remember this book after reading it more than ten years ago!? It had a much long-lasting impact on me. Of course, the writing is superb and hypnotizing, but what I treasure most is the irony at the end. A cleverly, truthful, and untimely uncovering of the hypocrisy we live with in this world. As a non-fiction reader, I highly recommend it!
Rating:  Summary: Pre-Colonial Life without the Rose colored glasses Review: Achebe is one of the best writters of all time, without any doubt. "Things Fall Apart" follows the not so perfect life of Okonkwo in a not so perfect Ibo society in modern day Nigeria. A most interesting aspect of the story is how Okonkwo is well off, and a nearly perfect protagonist, but still ends up going through un-told hardships. The feeling of this book is further completed with the use of the native religion of the Ibo being real. This book makes one question colonialization in a different light as well, because the book shows how the process of colonialization was slow but largely unstoppable... and scary in a sense.
Rating:  Summary: A Great Book Review: Achebe has done it again! Things Fall Apart is a book filled with subtle diregarding Christianity from the Ibo's point of view. What it right and what is wrong? Think about that while you read this wonderful book!
Rating:  Summary: Okwonko Shows to be Tough but has a Softside Review: In the epic of "Things Fall Apart" Okwonko is a tough man. He has 8 wifes which he keeps in 8 different huts. Okwonko is a very tough man because he defeated the Cat who had not been defeated for seven years. Okwonk wishes his daughter would have been a son because his son is a very lazy person. Okwonko is always beating his son because he is always laying around. Okwonko shows his softside when one of his sons friends has to leave and then later is killed. this book is a wonderful book for you to read. Take it from a student. This book has very dispcriptive writing because back then the didn't have television all they had was imagination. Take the time to read this book because its a great one.
Rating:  Summary: A Excellent View into Missionary Christianity Review: I read this book as part of an assignment for a cultural diversity course, and it really makes you think about the spread of Christianity and non-Christian religion. The title is very fitting, as you read, you see the life of the main character fall apart, no matter what he tries to do. It is also an excellent view into tribal African culture. Very easy to read, and not too long!
Rating:  Summary: A Mind Changing Novel Review: Hello. My name is Rebecca and I am 13 years old. I am an avid reader- it is my favorite thing to do! I like to read review of books I enjoy, so I read the one on Things Fall Apart. I am humiliated by the lack of good reviews from young people! I am absolutely horrified! As a classmate of 6th, 7th, and 8th graders in my school that have read it (and loved it, mind you!)that I cannot believe it. One common thing I noticed was the lack of understanding with the bad review. At my school we always have to do extensive research on a book before we read it; that way we will know what to expect. I would suggest you do that for all the books you read; it may help you decide what you are prepared for.
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