I remember this book from high school English as the one my classmates would all pick from selected reading lists because it was short, then whine about that choice a few weeks later because it was "boring."

I'm just going to say it: this book should not be taught in schools.

Not because it's not worthy of being taught, but because the story is "slow," in that there are big stretches where not a lot happens. You don't appreciate idleness as a teenager, in the same way that you don't appreciate roasted broccoli as compared to delivery pizza, or the would-be paramour who is not physically your ideal but is a good person. Both the broccoli and the boy will seem amazing to you one day, but not yet. That is how I feel about Things Fall Apart. And I am so glad it was not ruined for me with a surly attempt at reading ten years ago to color my view.

The book, for those who haven't read it, is basically a fable set in the modern Nigerian village of Umuofia. Achebe's main character, Okonkwo, is both straight hero and anti-hero. He beats his wives, has too much pride, and is disgusted by men, including his father, who don't share his ambition. Come the end of the book, he also stands ground against the Christian missionaries who come into his village to "civilize" its people. He is a man with deep flaws, but also a man who can give heroics when necessary. He is an interesting character, but not a likeable one.

As you can see -- with the missionaries and the beating of wives -- this is a book that is very easily politicized. It is Food for Discussion for an intro liberal arts sort of education, and I can only imagine the discussion in those classes now: the possible ascription of Okonkwo's character/beliefs/actions to African culture in general, the insipidly worded moral relativism and lack thereof. This is why people get bored with studying this book! I am not conservative, but I don't want to dissect why the mission of these Christians is wrong or why Okonkwo's treatment of his wives is bad. (Duh, of course they are.) I just want the primary function of my reading this book to be discovering the texture of its humanity and reveling in Achebe's storytelling, not necessarily anthropological judgment.

Things Fall Apart lends itself to political conversation, but for me, it's best read for the experience of this one man Okonkwo's life as it is without discussion buzzwords in mind. When you read it this way, the rich detail of the story makes it tough to put down. And Achebe's messages come across clearly -- if not loudly.