Chinua achebe s book is impassioned and well written, but unfortunately it is analytically defective. A personal history of biafra by chinua achebe isbn. Sep 30, 2008 nigerian author chinua achebe talks about slavery,colonialism, africa and the african diaspora. Chinua achebes famous first novel, things fall apart, conspicuously borrows from yeats. The memoir with which he bookends his long career, there was a country, is a far more literal explanation. In his influential first novel, things fall apart 1958, chinua achebe retells the story of european colonialist intervention in nigeria in the 1890s from an african point of view. Surprisingly, chinua achebe wrote this book decades ago, but the realities he spoke about are still largely evident today in the present nigerian society. Newsrescue in a recent book stoking up huge controversy, there was a country, written by nigerian writer, chinua achebe. It has taken 42 years for nigerias and africas greatest writer, chinua achebe, to produce a book of the tremendous passion as his personal recollection of biafra. It is seen as the archetypal modern african novel in english, one of the first to receive global critical acclaim. He also published several other novels, short stories, childrens books, and essays. A personal history of biafra emerges into this landscape of memory and remembrance, 42 years after the war ended. The trouble with nigeria by chinua achebe african book addict.
It has the tense narrative grip of the best fiction. Of course, it is not that kind of book, but that is the point it is only that kind of book that can help a country such as nigeria. On march 21, 20 chinua achebe passed away after a brief illness in boston, in the united states. The igbo man doesnt kneel down for anybody except his chi. Chinua achebe, author info, published books, bio, photo.
In the following chapters, achebes personal story reemerges. Achebe was also involved in politics in the era when the region of biafra broke away from nigeria. His memoir of the moment describes when the country, yoked together artificially by british colonizers, split apart at a cost of more than a million lives. It took him this long to write because the story is too personal and too painful to write. An igbo himself, chinua achebe became an unofficial envoy for the biafran government. His writings, including the novel things fall apart, have introduced readers throughout the world to creative uses of language and form, as well as to factual inside accounts of modern african life and history. Yet, apart from an interview with transition magazine in 1968 and a book of biafran. Mar 22, 20 chinua achebe, nigerianborn novelist and poet poses at his home on the campus of bard college in annandale on hudson, new york, where he is a professor, in this jan. In the book achebe, a few weeks before his 82nd birthday, finally sets out to tell the story of his biafra. Radio biafra nigeria is haunted by biafran war chinua. The trouble with nigeria by chinua achebe, paperback barnes. He became fascinated with world religions and traditional african cultures, and began writing s.
Chinua achebe was grandfather of african literature. List of books and articles about chinua achebe online. Achebe s most recent book, his longawaited memoir of the nigerian biafra war, is both sad and angry, a book by a writer looking back and mourning. N o writer is better placed than chinua achebe to tell the. No writer is better placed than chinua achebe to tell the story of the. Published in 1958, its story chronicles precolonial life in the southeastern part of nigeria and the arrival of the europeans during the late nineteenth century. The author is one of africas finest novelists, the subject is one of africas greatest tragedies, the accusations he makes could not be more serious, and his prognosis for nigeria, africas most populous nation, is grim indeed.
Literary great chinua achebe on prose and politics. His first novel things fall apart, often considered his masterpiece, is the most widely read book in modern african literature. His first novel, things fall apart was published in 1958 and is still the most widely. Chinua achebe was a nigerian novelist, poet, professor, and critic. There was a country, by chinua achebe the new york times. One of africas best known authors, mr achebes debut 1958 novel things fall apart has sold more than 10 million copies. The memoir with which he bookends his long career, there. A celebration, edited by kirsten petersen and anna rutherford 1991. Stream and download audiobooks to your computer, tablet or mobile phone. A personal history of biafra and his article published in the guardian on 2 october 2012, there have been many debates about the biafra war.
Things fall apart is a novel written by nigerian author chinua achebe. However recent documents from a biafra public relations. In the aftermath of the release of chinua achebes book titled there was a country. Chinua achebes book is impassioned and well written, but unfortunately it is analytically defective. Raised by his parents in the igbo town of ogidi in southeastern nigeria, achebe excelled at school and won a scholarship to study medicine, but changed his studies to english literature at university college. The defining experience of chinua achebes life was the nigerian civil war, also. Nigeria is haunted by biafran war world news the guardian. May 25, 2015 corruption, indiscipline, tribalism, lack of patriotism, illiteracy and greed are killing administrations in several african nations. We remember differently, by chimamanda ngozi adichie. Documents contradict achebe book there was a country on. Chinua achebe is most famous for his novel things fall apart, published in 1958, which tells the story of an igbo villages reaction to british missionaries and colonial authorities. Every library should add ezenwaohaetos book to its collection.
A personal history of biafra, follows those people into 1967 when they, confronted by economic marginalization, and, ultimately, physical attack by nigeria, declared independence and called themselves biafra. News about chinua achebe, including commentary and archival articles published in the new york times. Driven by his belief in the political obligations of the writer, he became biafras international envoy, promoting the cause in canada, europe and senegal. Chinua achebes memoir about the moment when nigeria split apart at a. Chinua achebe remains the most read african author in the world. It is also a revelatory entry into the intimate character of the writers brilliant mind and bold spirit. We honestly need to do better as a people and this book explains why with boldness, style and sharp wit. The author of the spider kings daughter tells us how she grew up reading european classics in nigeria, consuming her african literature orally until discovering chinua achebe when she was 14. From the legendary author of things fall apart comes a longawaited memoir about coming of age with a fragile new nation, then watching it torn asunder in a tragic civil war the defining experience of chinua achebe s life was the nigerian civil war, also known as. The titular country of achebes latest book is biafra, a breakaway republic founded. He attended the university of ibadan where he studied english. Oct 22, 2012 chinua achebes famous first novel, things fall apart, conspicuously borrows from yeats. Achebe, 16 november 1930 21 march 20 was a nigerian novelist, poet, professor, and critic.
A personal history of biafra 2012 adds a fresh perspective to the discordant symphony of autobiographical voices that have greeted the politically turbulent postindependent nigeria, which reached its crescendo of hysteria in the nigeriabiafra war 1967 1970. A personal history of biafra, remained in the works. Renowned nigerian author chinua achebe publishes his longawaited memoir, there was a country, about the brutal threeyear biafran war. Four novels followed, along with books of essays and short stories. Chinua achebe had an active and generous role in encouraging other african writers by starting the literary journal okike, by founding a publishing house in wartorn nigeria and by introducing, in his role as the founding editor of the african writers. His volume of poetry christmas in biafra was the joint winner of the first commonwealth poetry prize. Achebe was the son of a prominent family in the town of ogidi in eastern nigeria, the region that later became biafra and was home to the igbo people. One of the outstanding contributions of chinua achebes there was a country, a personal history of biafra the last work the renowned author published before he passed away in march 20 is his eloquent explanation of the link between these two problems. His enormously successful first novel, things fall apart, first published in 1958, has sold millions of. It was africas first televised humanitarian crisis. He has published novels, short stories, essays, and childrens books.
He is the son of a teacher and the most widely read african novelist in history. Literary great chinua achebe on prose and politics the acclaimed nigerian writer recently won the prestigious man booker international prize for his literary career. In this book achebe broke his silence about the 1983 nigerian elections. Aug 28, 2012 there was a country a personal history of biafra chinua achebe.
A great veteran of a bitter conflict looks back in sadness, and reflects on the role of words in war. Haunted by the dying and displaced of the worlds first televised war. Chinua achebe biography cliffsnotes study guides book. It seems, therefore, that the book, the trouble with nigeria is a prognosis, a prophetic writing with unrivaled effect. Of course, it is not that kind of book, but that is the point it is only that kind of book. Those wishing for a closer reading of the novels which was clearly not the authors intent should read simon gukandis reading chinua achebe ch, may92 or chinua achebe. His first novel things fall apart 1958 was considered his magnum opus, and is the most widely read book in modern african literature. But, however wretched the circumstances and devastating the consequences, the biafran story, as achebe tells it, remains inspiring and continues to attest to the power of revolt. Chinua achebes famous first novel, things fall apart. Acclaimed writer chinua achebe, whose full name was albert chinualumogu achebe, was born in 1930 in ogidi, nigeria and died in 20 in boston, massachusetts. There was a country by chinua achebe the boston globe. Apr 25, 20 chinua achebe, the superb nigerian and igbo novellist, has turned his hand to creating a personal history of biafra in this book. There was a country a personal history of biafra by chinua achebe the penguin press. Chinua achebe had an active and generous role in encouraging other african writers by starting the literary journal okike, by founding a publishing house in wartorn nigeria and by introducing, in his role as the founding editor of the african writers series, new writers to a worldwide audience.
Mar 17, 2020 chinua achebe, in full albert chinualumogu achebe, born november 16, 1930, ogidi, nigeriadied march 21, 20, boston, massachusetts, u. Despite the war, he lived a remarkably productive life. Much of achebe s work focuses on the themes of colonialism, postcolonialism, and the tumultuous political atmosphere in post colonial nigeria. For more than forty years, chinua achebe maintained a considered. His first novel things fall apart 1958, often considered his masterpiece, 2 is the most widely read book in modern african literature. Chinua achebe pronounced cheenooah ahchaybay is considered by many critics and teachers to be the most influential african writer of his generation. Chinua achebe s memoir about the moment when nigeria split apart at a cost of more than a million lives. Christmas in biafra, and other poems by chinua achebe and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Larson many of usold african hands, like myself, and chinua achebe s millions of readershave waited for this book. Achebes there was a country risks opening old wounds the. Following school, he joined the staff of the nigerian broadcasting corporation in lagos.
Biafra was the worlds first properly televised conflict, and millions. His childrens stories introduced the young and their parents to the excitement of books. Odumegwu ojukwu declared that the republic of biafra, a small region of. Chinua achebe of nigeria was one of the most famous 20th century african writers he published his first novel things fall apart in 1958 and has since published four more novels and a series of short stories, essays, and other literature. A personal history of biafra by chinua achebe the telegraph. Sep 27, 2012 renowned nigerian author chinua achebe publishes his longawaited memoir, there was a country, about the brutal threeyear biafran war. It contains scarcely any insights from economics, social science, or historical perspective. Chinua achebes reputation as africas greatest novelist rests largely on his first. For forty something years chinua achebes 2012 book, there was a country.
Chinua achebe books list of books by author chinua achebe. For the first 30 years of his life nigeria was a british colony and it was controlled and exploited by the british for agricultural goods such as cocoa. A personal history of biafra, published by penguin books. Like much of achebes other work, this book about the progress of war. Chinua achebe skip to main search results amazon prime. Mar 29, 2009 chinua achebe of nigeria was one of the most famous 20th century african writers he published his first novel things fall apart in 1958 and has since published four more novels and a series of short stories, essays, and other literature.
Inness chinua achebe cambridge, 1990 and simon cikandis reading chinua achebe. While in many ways autobiographical, he successfully manages to also cover the backgrounds to and the conflict more broadly, and given his involvement in it, surprisingly even handedly. He was raised in the large village of ogidi, one of the first centres of anglican missionary work in eastern nigeria, and is a graduate of university college, ibadan. While in many ways autobiographical, he successfully manages to also cover the backgrounds to and the conflict more broadly, and given his. The style and wit in part cover his deep despair over the direction of change in his home. There have been several good books in recent years on achebe, the worldrenowned african writer, including c. A personal history of biafra audiobook by chinua achebe. A graduate of university college, ibadan 1953, achebe, an igbo who wrote in english, is one of africas most acclaimed authors, and is considered by some to be the father of modern african literature. His unique writing style, use of english fused with igbo language enabled him narrate the african story from an african point of view, earning him several literary prizes throughout his career. Foreign policy must read 2012 by books from global thinkers chinua achebes history of biafra is a meditation on the condition of freedom. The trouble with nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership, concludes internationally acclaimed writer chinua achebe. Chinua achebes history of biafra is a meditation on the condition of freedom. Nov 16, 2017 channels television updated november 16, 2017 lovers of literature and the world at large are celebrating one of africas greatest storytellers, chinua achebe, who would have been 87 on november 16.
Nigeria did fracture once, however, and it is this story that chinua achebe, a giant of african letters, tells. Inventing a solemn, heightened english to represent nigerian dialect, he portrays the dignity and beauty of ibo civilisation. In 1960 achebe published a sequel called no longer at ease. Chinua achebe is a recognized name in literature across the world, author of the most notable novel in african literature, thing fall apart. Chinua achebe, in full albert chinualumogu achebe, born november 16, 1930, ogidi, nigeriadied march 21, 20, boston, massachusetts, u. Chinua achebe, the superb nigerian and igbo novellist, has turned his hand to creating a personal history of biafra in this book. Foreign policy must read 2012 by books from global thinkers chinua achebe s history of biafra is a meditation on the condition of freedom. Chinua achebe is a nigerian novelist and author of things fall apart, a work that in part led to his being called the patriarch of the african novel. A decade earlier, his brilliant debut novel things fall. Was biafra ever really a country, as achebe would have it. Nov 04, 2012 chinua achebes memoir about the moment when nigeria split apart at a cost of more than a million lives.
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