From the celebrated author of "Things Fall Apart" comes a new collection of autobiographical essays--his first new book in more than twenty year... read full description
reviews
Apr 27, 2010
Susan
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Achebe is a skillful writer, which makes these essays a delight to read. His view that Nigeria is not a mother- or fatherland, but rather a child that needs its citizens to raise it was particularly striking. He makes cogent points about the toxic legacy of colonialism, which I think is especially obvious in the way some aid organizations want(ed) to impose fixes, rather than participate in finding solutions.
On a technically picky note, the LOC wants to catalogue this in 823.914, w More...
On a technically picky note, the LOC wants to catalogue this in 823.914, w More...
Feb 22, 2010
Dave
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"Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu" should be repeated every hour on the hour by every school child all over the world until it becomes the mantra of all societies. It is Bantu for "A human is human because of other humans."
The simple but profound adage is the theme of Chinua Achebe's collection of essays, The Education of a British-Protected Child: Essays.It may also be the theme of his life's work, judging by the simple message it conveys about the importance of the comm More...
The simple but profound adage is the theme of Chinua Achebe's collection of essays, The Education of a British-Protected Child: Essays.It may also be the theme of his life's work, judging by the simple message it conveys about the importance of the comm More...
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Oct 28, 2011
Alanna
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I've been reading this very slowly (which is why I have no other books reviewed recently), but I have been really enjoying it. I feel like Achebe is one of the more honest and compassionate writers out there, but at the same time he's just as "there" intellectually as the more cutthroat types. I adore him. Unless you have an interest in colonialism or African literature, though, I doubt this selection of essays would appeal to you very much.
Me, nothing thrilled me more tha More...
Me, nothing thrilled me more tha More...
Apr 04, 2011
Cynthia
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This is book is worth reading because China Acheba speaks with authority and candor about Africans (specifically Nigerians), African-Americans, post-colonialism, post-post colonialism and more. He reminds me of an elder relative who has seen and done a lot and offers up words of wisdom. I do not always agree with him but from the tone of his essays, I almost can hear him say, "well, it's something to consider, dear." Another thought I walked away with after reading his essays is th
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Sep 10, 2011
Lindsey
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This book of essays can be summed up by two quotes from it. The first is from Achebe himself: "Africa is people." The second is the Bantu dictum: "A human is human because of other humans." Once you acknowledge the truth of the former, the latter implies how our actions should trend. This may all seem utterly obvious, but as Achebe points out, after centuries of intentional degradation of a people by those who speak and write about them, nothing should be taken for grante
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Jul 15, 2010
Rachel
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This book was a struggle for me to get through.
So many of the essays lack a cohesive structure, are repetitive, or feel like "filler"... If we take the personal essay as an exercise in storytelling (and I do), it's hard to tell if a book like that is a success or a failure, nearly impossible to determine what standards to judge it by.
On the one hand, it's frustrating for me read the work of a master storyteller that so utterly undermines what I feel is a true s More...
So many of the essays lack a cohesive structure, are repetitive, or feel like "filler"... If we take the personal essay as an exercise in storytelling (and I do), it's hard to tell if a book like that is a success or a failure, nearly impossible to determine what standards to judge it by.
On the one hand, it's frustrating for me read the work of a master storyteller that so utterly undermines what I feel is a true s More...
Oct 14, 2009
Greg
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Perhaps not the place to start if you haven't read Achebe, but if (or once) you find that "Things Fall Apart" and "Arrow of God" are essential books, then this collection of essays, by turns biographical, political, literary, is an excellent supplement, revealing the character and personality of the man behind the masterpieces. The account of his one and only meeting with James Baldwin, in 1980, is one for the history books. (A google search on Baldwin's punchline gives only
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Dec 08, 2009
Iva
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Achebe's careful observations come from having grown up in Africa, having experienced the English there, and then living most of his adult life in the U.S. This is a collection of 17 speeches and essays most appreciated by those who have read "Things Fall Apart", the "first" novel from Africa which has recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of its publication. It is quite current and deserves its celebration. Achebe shares enough of his remarkable life to make this loosely
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May 07, 2010
Masamune's Song
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Another brilliant work from Achebe, my favorite of the modern African writers. Insightful, thoughtful, and well-reasoned. Not five stars, because some of the essays do repeat some thoughts and information (ie Achebe's enormous distaste for Conrad's "Heart of Darkness").
Learned a great deal about African ties with America, and African-Americans like James Baldwin, who was initially ashamed of his African roots, buying into the myths about Africa which were propagated by Eu
Learned a great deal about African ties with America, and African-Americans like James Baldwin, who was initially ashamed of his African roots, buying into the myths about Africa which were propagated by Eu
Jul 05, 2011
Debmeinke
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I remember reading Things Fall Apart as a white high school student in the late 1960's. Although it was riveting, I did not really understand the context and history at the time. This fine author reflects on his times, family, and career with wisdom and love that are global. Thanks for enlightening me on Joseph Conrad's unfortunate immersion in imperialism and for the beautiful essay on Martin Luther King.
Sep 18, 2011
Jain
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Interesting and beautifully written essays on colonialism, African (specifically Nigerian, though he discusses other countries as well) history and politics, and literature. More personal than the other essay collections by Achebe that I've read; this book will probably appeal more to readers who've read his work and/or about him before.
Dec 28, 2009
Kristin
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While I didn't like this collection of essays nearly as much as Achebe's fiction, it was nice to have something new from the writer. The essays are all on familiar topics for Achebe and they're very sharp, though there are moments where the connections between them begin to feel a bit repetitive. Overall, it was quick enough to make it worth picking up, and it ends on a hopeful note, which I found encouraging.
Jan 01, 2010
Kristin
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Intriguing essays- I picked up this book off the "new" shelf at the library and did enjoy it. Appreciated reading a bit about post-colonialism again- one of the best essays discussed (and defended) why African literature is often in English. A bit repetitive, as it was a 20-year retrospective of essays and speeches, but this repetitiveness seemed to clarify the message, rather than bore me.
Mar 04, 2011
Kit
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I would have quite liked any individual handful of essays but as a collection it's a little too repetitive in places. Great stuff on Baldwin, Things Fall Apart, issues of language.
Feb 08, 2010
Bill
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The essays are important, and Achebe is very likeable. Read this to get a less biased view of Africa, the issues today and the history that hasn't been told in the West.
Oct 20, 2009
Jenny
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This is Achebe's first new book in decades. It's a collection of essays that concern his thoughts on colonialism, Nigeria, and the success of "Things Fall Apart."
Mar 16, 2010
Nick
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Beautifully written essays by Chinua Achebe, almost all involving both his personal history and the themes he has treated all his writing life.
Nov 12, 2011
Nina
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A collection of essays written by Chinua Achebe over the last twenty or so years. Many are quite personal. All are eminently readable.
Mar 10, 2010
Deb
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A collection of Achebe's ephemera - speeches, etc, Ok but not extremely interesting except when he speaks about Biafra.
May 06, 2011
Tuck
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believe it or not, a very readable and brilliant survey of Achebe's intellectual and family pursuits over the years. So you get both insider personal information about his family, what it's like living in usa as a brown person(not fun most of the time), Nigerian fuckedupedness both homegrown and from the outside (see missionaries and oil companies), pan-African literature and politics, and much much more. This is the Achebe version of the great great Eduardo Galeano and his "Upside Down"
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Mar 30, 2010
Tiffany
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Some of these essays are thought-provoking. Indeed Achebe is at his best when he is criticizing Nigerian leadership, imperialist thought, and the power of narrative and language.
But there is a lot of fluff here too. There are too many essays that are too short to deliver any depth, or that assume you know the subject. Not a fan.
That's not to say every essay should be Deep and Meaningful. But at least be interesting or funny if you're not going to provoke thought.
But there is a lot of fluff here too. There are too many essays that are too short to deliver any depth, or that assume you know the subject. Not a fan.
That's not to say every essay should be Deep and Meaningful. But at least be interesting or funny if you're not going to provoke thought.
Jan 10, 2010
Ruthmarie
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Much of the material is informative background material for understanding Achebe's approach to his Things Fall Apart.
Apr 05, 2010
Drew
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This book is a series of essays, making it an easy read.
Achebe is an angry man but with justification. He uses his anger well, expressing very clearly the hypocrisy, greed and cruelty of the colonial citizen. His message that all persons are to be dealt with with dignity and respect is witnessed by the way in which he deals with the colonizers and those who are blind to the injustice of it all.
Achebe is an angry man but with justification. He uses his anger well, expressing very clearly the hypocrisy, greed and cruelty of the colonial citizen. His message that all persons are to be dealt with with dignity and respect is witnessed by the way in which he deals with the colonizers and those who are blind to the injustice of it all.
May 13, 2011
Anastasia
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Achebe's writing is strong, but this collection of essays was a little random and better suited to someone (not me) who is already familiar with his novels. Still, he presented some interesting analysis on the West's views of Africa and other topics. One major downside was all the sexist writing. It was tiresome to read "he," "him," and "man" over and over and over and over again.
Jan 18, 2010
A personal look at Chinua Achebe's experiences growing up in colonial Nigeria. "Africa is people."
Mar 09, 2011
Alison
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Disappointingly slight and lacking in focus. He touches on a subject but doesn't develop it. Granted, these aren't really essays, they're from random talks that he gave.
Didn't finish it for lack of interest.
Didn't finish it for lack of interest.
