Things Fall Apart (The African Trilogy, #1)

by Chinua Achebe

He knew that he was a fierce fighter, but that year had been enough to break the heart of a lion. “Since I survived that year,” he always said, “I shall survive anything.” He put it down to his inflexible will.

The white man is very clever. He came quietly and peaceably with his religion. We were amused at his foolishness and allowed him to stay. Now he has won our brothers, and our clan can no longer act like one. He has put a knife on the things that held us together and we have fallen apart.”