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Summary: Things Fall Apart- Ms. Scott
Review: Umofia was a very religious and great African tribe with many wise and respected men. One of these respected men was Okonkwo. Okonkwo was Unoka's son. Unlike many other sons who respected their fathers in Umofia, Okonkwo hated his father. He hated his lack of strength, his failure, and the fact that he had not taken a title in Umofia during his life. Okonkwo however had taken a title and became a well known and respected man at a very young age. Okonkwo lived in his own farm with his three wives and children. Okonkwo and the elder men of Umofia were called for a meeting. It was concerning the death of a clansman's wife of Umofia, who had been killed by another tribe. As compensation for the loss a young man and a virgin was brought to Umofia. Ikemefuna, the young man, was decided by the elders to stay in Okonkwo's care. Okonkwo and his family soon grew fond of the boy. Nwoye, Okonkwo's son, and Ikemefuna became very close and came to see each others as brothers. As the years passed Okonkwo was able to grow a good harvest. Nwoye was becoming a man in Okonkwo's eyes and this was because of Ikemefuna who had taught him so much. Ikemefuna had spent three years in Okonkwo's household. One morning a group of elders came to Okonkwo's house and called Ikemefuna to be sent back to his homeland. Nwoye cried over this. Okonkwo, Ikemefuna, and the elders set for the journey. After a long walk Ikemefeuna had been killed by the men and by Oknokwo as a sacrifice.When Okonkwo returned home Nwoye knew Ikemefuna had been killed. Nwoye feared his father after that night.
Umofia was at mourning for Ezeudo's death and everyone in the village attended his funeral. During th traditional ceremony a cry of agony was heard it was Ezeudo's son. He layed dead on the floor. Okonkwo's gun had accidentally exploded and a piece of iron had pierced the boy's heart. Okonkwo's only option was to flee with his family to Mbanta, his mother's homeland. He would be able to return to Umofia after seven years. He build his own home and settled in Mbanta for seven years. During these seven years a white man had been traveling to every tribe spreading christanity. The white man and his followers built their own churches and schools. Among these followers was Nwoye. He became a christian and Okonkwo disowned him. Okonkwo returned to Umofia, but it was differnt then the way he had left it seven years ago. Okonkwo was angered and saddened by how christianity had changed his homeland. The only answer Okonkwo saw was war.
A masquerader who impersonated one of the ancestors spirits of the village destroyed the church. A couple of days after the destruction of the church the District comissioner of the church sent for the leaders of Umofia to meet in his headquarters. Among the leaders was Okonkwo. They were held captive until they agreed to pay 200 pounds of cowries as a fine. They were held prisoners and were whipped and mistreated. After their release a town meeting was held and Okonkwo feared his tribe's lack of strenth to call a war. The district comissioner's messengers were sent to sop the meeting. Okonkwo drew his machete and killed the man. The comissioner and other clansmen arrived at Okonkwo's home and found him dangling from a tree. He had comitted suicide.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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...
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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!
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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!
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