A Short History of Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart
Ohio Short Histories of Africa
This series of Ohio Short Histories of Africa is meant for those who are looking for a brief but lively introduction to a wide range of topics in African history, politics, and biography, written by some of the leading experts in their fields.
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A Short History of Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart
by Terri Ochiagha
A Short History of Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart
Terri Ochiagha
OHIO UNIVERSITY PRESS
ATHENS
Ohio University Press, Athens, Ohio 45701
© 2018 by Ohio University Press
All rights reserved
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Printed in the United States of America
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Cover design by Joey Hifi
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Ochiagha, Terri, author.
Title: A short history of Chinua Achebe’s Things fall apart / Terri Ochiagha.
Other titles: Ohio short histories of Africa.
Description: Athens, Ohio : Ohio University Press, 2018. | Series: Ohio short histories of Africa | Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2018043018| ISBN 9780821423486 (pb : alk. paper) | ISBN 9780821446546 (pdf)
Subjects: LCSH: Achebe, Chinua. Things fall apart.
Classification: LCC PR9387.9.A3 T53643 2018 | DDC 823.914--dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018043018
This book is dedicated to the memory of my beloved
grandfather,
Isidro Plaza Prestel,
who was born on Christmas Eve, 1926,
and passed away on July 16, 2018.
El Yayo was my Rock, my Dream Maker.
To his love and support I owe this book and
all of my life’s accomplishments.
He gave me wings to fly, and his example,
wisdom, and love will forever guide me
as I fly higher and higher.
Contents
Part 1: Turning and Turning in the Widening Gyre
2. Encounters with the Colonial Library
3. The Lost Manuscript and Other Harrowing Adventures
Part 2: The Blood-Dimmed Tide Is Loosed
5. Things Fall Apart and Its Critics