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Things Fall Apart Audiobook
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(3.00) - 105,376 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
With over eight million copies in print world wide, Achebe's work is a definitive novel in African literature. Filled with powerful language and finely drawn characters, Things Fall Apart also shimmers with the sounds and sights of village life. Okonkwo is born into poverty, with a wastrel for a father. Driven by ambition, he works tirelessly to gain the prosperity of many fields and wives and prestige in his village. But he is harsh as well as diligent. As he sees the traditions of his people eroded by white missionaries and government officials, he lashes out in anger. Things Fall Apart traces the growing friction between village leaders and Europeans determined to save the heathen souls of Africa. But its hero, a noble man who is driven by destructive forces, speaks a universal tongue.
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"This novel gains its power from its restraint. We are psychically bound to Okonkwo, we live his life, feel his emotions and think his thoughts. We are members of his family and his clan. We share his gender, his status, his virtues and his faults. We worship his gods. When the British missionaries arrive, we see them through his eyes. We swing his machete. At the end, we share his refusal to live in a world they control. No amount of rhetoric could harvest such deep connection, or such a sense of loss. This book is small, brilliant and essential."
— Joyce (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“As old as the novel is, Things Fall Apart by Professor Chinua Achebe is one book that has captured the heart of most intellects and readers across the world. It is probably one of the books that will live forever going by the calibers of people in the world that testify to its originality…Achebe’s wise and subtle storytelling cuts to the heart of these tribal people with humanity, warmth, and humor.”
— Daily Independent (Nigeria) -
“Peter Frances James offers a superb narration of Nigerian novelist Achebe’s deceptively simple 1959 masterpiece.”
— Library Journal -
“Things Fall Apart packs a powerful punch as Achebe holds up the ruin of one proud man to stand for the destruction of an entire culture.”
— Amazon
Things Fall Apart Listener Reviews
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" It's a very interesting story. Very successful in getting you into the perspective of very foreign characters. The narrative itself, kind of meh. I guess it all holds together, but very little of it feeds into the main plot. A lot of "this happened THEN this happened THEN this happened". "
— Galen, 2/15/2014 -
" Heartbreaking and exquisitely poetic. I loved the simple rhythmic pace of the language which functions to create dramatic tension between the narrator's voice, and the complex inner life of the characters. An interesting supplement to this book is Achebe's essay on The African Writer and the English Language. "
— Sally, 2/15/2014 -
" Didn't like this the first time I read it. I thought the simple writing style sounded a bit uneducated. But on a second pass I really appreciated how beautiful the writing actually was. The story itself is highly intense, emotional, with some very grave and serious events. But the description is extremely detached, as though the writer is only reinforcing the helplessness of the people's position. "
— Lex, 2/8/2014 -
" I learned about the impact of colonialism from the perspective of the people who were directly affected by it "
— Chad, 1/30/2014 -
" For class. Interesting but sad story. "
— Renee, 1/28/2014 -
" I don't think this book even deserves one star. Had I not had to read this book for a class I would have stopped reading it after the first page. There was no plot, no point to any of it. Just down right stupid. "
— Takara, 1/25/2014 -
" I got confused and I read this just because I had it as my book report "
— Zea, 1/16/2014 -
" Yes things do fall apart, but the sad thing about this book is what caused things to fall apart. In this case it was Christian Ministers going into a Nigerian village and pretty much forcing the people to convert ; or else... "
— Kevin, 1/14/2014 -
" I enjoyed this book. I found the story stangely written in a good way. Easy read. "
— Thomas, 1/6/2014 -
" Yes I read this in school, and yes, I appreciate it for it's portrayal of Africa during the time period. But oh god why "
— Zoe, 12/25/2013 -
" Literary classic. The novel is a great work of art but is of even greater symbilic value as the genesis of main stream African Litritaure. "
— Mangaliso, 12/5/2013 -
" This is a book of aquired taste first and for most. The story isn't completely horrible, but I was not a fan of this book. "
— Keyanna, 12/3/2013 -
" Wonderful writing and a moving story. "
— Alicia, 7/11/2012 -
" Read it. You won't regret it--during or after. It's not one of those classics that is difficult to read, and it launched and entire undiscovered genre--Postcolonial or World English novels--onto the Anglophone stage. "
— Christina, 10/4/2011 -
" I had to read this book in college. I didn't love it but I didn't hate it completely, either. It was enlightening as it showed the tension of European colonization for the natives in an Africa village. I learned alot. "
— Nicole-pickens, 8/26/2011 -
" Something I would've hated in high school/pre2001 but absolutely loved now that I'm appreciative of other cultures. Notice how all three parts are written differently in terms of style. Another perspective on colonialism! Heartbreaking! "
— Chad, 8/12/2011 -
" I did not enjoy this book at all "
— Mallory, 5/4/2011 -
" You know the author has succeeded when you feel the same indignation against the white colonial imperialists. It isn't a story of blame but a story of the clash of different cultures and the forced imposition of one on the other. "
— Yun, 3/14/2011 -
" The ending was a bit dramatic, but added in a meaningful way. However, the detailing of the book was much of a bore to me. It was an okay read. "
— Aneta, 1/1/2011 -
" I can see why people like it - just not my style of book "
— Bonnie, 2/7/2010
About Chinua Achebe
Chinua Achebe (1930–2013) was a prominent Nigerian writer who is famous for his novels describing the effects of Western customs and values on traditional African society. His satire and keen ear for spoken language made him one of the most highly esteemed African writers in English. He published novels, essay collections, poetry, short stories, and juvenile fiction. Among his works are Things Fall Apart, Anthills of the Savannah, A Man of the People, Arrow of God, and the notable collections Morning Yet on Creation Day and Hopes and Impediments. A recipient of the Man Booker International Prize, he was the Charles P. Stevenson Professor of Languages and Literature at Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York.
About Peter Francis James
Peter Francis James is an accomplished actor on both the stage and the screen. His theater credits include roles in On Golden Pond, Much Ado about Nothing, and August Wilson’s Gem of the Ocean. His many film and television credits include Jahfree Neema in Oz, Raymond Parks in The Rosa Parks Story, Joe Gould’s Secret, The Guiding Light, Law & Order: SVU, and Third Watch. James’ audiobook narration has won him nine AudioFile Earphones Awards.