5 things to know about Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

- Legit.ng has outlined 5 important facts to know about the masterpiece which was written by the late great Chinua Achebe, Things Fall Apart

- The book follows the life of the main character, Okonkwo, the leader of Umuofia, as the cultural landscape was changed by colonialism and Christianity

- Since its first publication in 1958, Things Fall Apart has sold over 8 million copies around the world, and earned Achebe the title of ‘Shakespeare of his genre’

Things Fall Apart is a novel which was written by the late great Nigerian author, Chinua Achebe, and first published in 1958.

Bookstellyouwhy.com describes the book as a 'unique, thought-provoking, literary masterpiece'.

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Legit.ng notes that Things Fall Apart is the most popular book in African literature, which has now been translated into more than 50 languages, even though it was originally written in English.

The novel was set in a fictional pre-colonial village in Nigeria called Umuofia, and follows the life of the main character, Okonkwo, as the cultural landscape was changed by colonialism and Christianity.

Here are 5 important facts to know about Achebe’s masterpiece:

1. The book’s title was gotten from a poem by W.B. Yeats, titled The Second Coming.

It reads: “Turning and turning in the widening gyre

The falcon cannot hear the falconer;

Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;

Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,

The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere

The ceremony of innocence is drowned;

The best lack all conviction, while the worst

Are full of passionate intensity.”

2. While writing the book, Achebe sought to take a different approach from the primitive view of Africa that was widely held, and instead present the image of a thriving, dynamic African society, to western readers. Through his work, the author worked to change perceptions about the continent and its people.

3. The manuscript for the book was lost for several months after being misplaced at the publishers’ London office. However, it was eventually found, and work proceeded on the project.

4.The writing of Things Fall Apart followed similar patterns and theme used by another influential author, Charles Dickens, who Achebe greatly admired.

5.Chinua Achebe was considered as 'the Shakespeare of his genre', after writing Things Fall Apart. This was because the book brought attention to the previously-ignored African literature scene. The book has sold over 8 million copies to date.

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Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that on Wednesday, November 16, Google Doodle celebrated Nigeria writer, critic and professor, late Chinua Achebe, on what would have been his 87th birthday.

Born Albert Chinụalụmọgụ Achebe on November 16, 1930, Achebe died on March 21, 2013 at the age of 82.

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Source: Legit.ng