Things Fall Apart (The African Trilogy, #1)

by Chinua Achebe

He was called the Cat because his back would never touch the earth.

He had no patience with unsuccessful men. He had had no patience with his father.

Among the Ibo the art of conversation is regarded very highly, and proverbs are the palm-oil with which words are eaten.

He had discerned a clear overtone of tragedy in the crier’s voice,

drops of frozen rain melting on the dry palate of the panting earth.