Things Fall Apart (The African Trilogy, #1)

by Chinua Achebe

the fear of the forest, and of the forces of nature, malevolent, red in tooth and claw. Okonkwo’s fear was greater than these. It was not external but lay deep within himself. It was the fear of himself, lest he should be found to resemble his father.

Why is it that when a woman dies she is taken home to be buried with her own kinsmen?

A man belongs to his fatherland when things are good and life is sweet.

But when there is sorrow and bitterness he finds refuge in his motherland.

“There is no story that is not true,” said Uchendu. “The world has no end, and what is good among one people is an abomination with others.

Living fire begets cold, impotent ash. He sighed again, deeply.