A personal history of biafra emerges into this landscape of memory and remembrance, 42 years after the war ended. Chinua achebe skip to main search results amazon prime. There was a country by chinua achebe the boston globe. Chinua achebe pronounced cheenooah ahchaybay is considered by many critics and teachers to be the most influential african writer of his generation. A personal history of biafra, published by penguin books.
He became fascinated with world religions and traditional african cultures, and began writing s. A personal history of biafra by chinua achebe the telegraph. But, however wretched the circumstances and devastating the consequences, the biafran story, as achebe tells it, remains inspiring and continues to attest to the power of revolt. Achebe was the son of a prominent family in the town of ogidi in eastern nigeria, the region that later became biafra and was home to the igbo people. He was raised in the large village of ogidi, one of the first centres of anglican missionary work in eastern nigeria, and is a graduate of university college, ibadan. He is the son of a teacher and the most widely read african novelist in history. Of his novels, arrow of god won the new statesmanjock campbell award, and anthills of the savannah was a finalist for the 1987 booker prize. It took him this long to write because the story is too personal and too painful to write. List of books and articles about chinua achebe online. Larson many of usold african hands, like myself, and chinua achebe s millions of readershave waited for this book. His childrens stories introduced the young and their parents to the excitement of books. One of africas best known authors, mr achebes debut 1958 novel things fall apart has sold more than 10 million copies. Chinua achebe books list of books by author chinua achebe. Chinua achebe s book is impassioned and well written, but unfortunately it is analytically defective.
His first novel things fall apart 1958, often considered his masterpiece, 2 is the most widely read book in modern african literature. The memoir with which he bookends his long career, there was a country, is a far more literal explanation. Was biafra ever really a country, as achebe would have it. Literary great chinua achebe on prose and politics. It has the tense narrative grip of the best fiction. A personal history of biafra 2012 adds a fresh perspective to the discordant symphony of autobiographical voices that have greeted the politically turbulent postindependent nigeria, which reached its crescendo of hysteria in the nigeriabiafra war 1967 1970. Chinua achebes memoir about the moment when nigeria split apart at a. Chinua achebes famous first novel, things fall apart, conspicuously borrows from yeats. For more than forty years, chinua achebe maintained a considered. Mar 29, 2009 chinua achebe of nigeria was one of the most famous 20th century african writers he published his first novel things fall apart in 1958 and has since published four more novels and a series of short stories, essays, and other literature.
The defining period of achebes life was the nigeriabiafra war 196770. N o writer is better placed than chinua achebe to tell the. Foreign policy must read 2012 by books from global thinkers chinua achebes history of biafra is a meditation on the condition of freedom. His first novel things fall apart, often considered his masterpiece, is the most widely read book in modern african literature. His first novel things fall apart 1958 was considered his magnum opus, and is the most widely read book in modern african literature. Literary great chinua achebe on prose and politics the acclaimed nigerian writer recently won the prestigious man booker international prize for his literary career. Chinua achebe, author info, published books, bio, photo. The igbo man doesnt kneel down for anybody except his chi. Chinua achebe of nigeria was one of the most famous 20th century african writers he published his first novel things fall apart in 1958 and has since published four more novels and a series of short stories, essays, and other literature. We remember differently, by chimamanda ngozi adichie. Chinua achebe is a nigerian novelist and author of things fall apart, a work that in part led to his being called the patriarch of the african novel.
The style and wit in part cover his deep despair over the direction of change in his home. Chinua achebe was a nigerian novelist, poet, professor, and critic. Foreign policy must read 2012 by books from global thinkers chinua achebe s history of biafra is a meditation on the condition of freedom. However recent documents from a biafra public relations. His enormously successful first novel, things fall apart, first published in 1958, has sold millions of. Haunted by the dying and displaced of the worlds first televised war. An igbo himself, chinua achebe became an unofficial envoy for the biafran government. Those wishing for a closer reading of the novels which was clearly not the authors intent should read simon gukandis reading chinua achebe ch, may92 or chinua achebe. Chinua achebe was grandfather of african literature. Newsrescue in a recent book stoking up huge controversy, there was a country, written by nigerian writer, chinua achebe. Achebes there was a country risks opening old wounds the. While in many ways autobiographical, he successfully manages to also cover the backgrounds to and the conflict more broadly, and given his. No writer is better placed than chinua achebe to tell the story of the. Chinua achebes book is impassioned and well written, but unfortunately it is analytically defective.
Chinua achebe, in full albert chinualumogu achebe, born november 16, 1930, ogidi, nigeriadied march 21, 20, boston, massachusetts, u. The novelist chinua achebe november 16, 1930 march 21, 20, a fine stylish and an astute social critic, is one of the bestknown african writers in the west and his novels are often assigned in university courses. Radio biafra nigeria is haunted by biafran war chinua. Chinua achebe is a recognized name in literature across the world, author of the most notable novel in african literature, thing fall apart. Chinua achebe is most famous for his novel things fall apart, published in 1958, which tells the story of an igbo villages reaction to british missionaries and colonial authorities. Mar 17, 2020 chinua achebe, in full albert chinualumogu achebe, born november 16, 1930, ogidi, nigeriadied march 21, 20, boston, massachusetts, u. It seems, therefore, that the book, the trouble with nigeria is a prognosis, a prophetic writing with unrivaled effect. His volume of poetry christmas in biafra was the joint winner of the first commonwealth poetry prize. Aug 28, 2012 there was a country a personal history of biafra chinua achebe. It has taken 42 years for nigerias and africas greatest writer, chinua achebe, to produce a book of the tremendous passion as his personal recollection of biafra. A graduate of university college, ibadan 1953, achebe, an igbo who wrote in english, is one of africas most acclaimed authors, and is considered by some to be the father of modern african literature. Nov 04, 2012 chinua achebes memoir about the moment when nigeria split apart at a cost of more than a million lives. His memoir of the moment describes when the country, yoked together artificially by british colonizers, split apart at a cost of more than a million lives. Mar 22, 20 chinua achebe was grandfather of african literature nigerian novelist chinua achebe died thursday in boston.
The trouble with nigeria by chinua achebe african book addict. The trouble with nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership, concludes internationally acclaimed writer chinua achebe. The titular country of achebes latest book is biafra, a breakaway republic founded. A personal history of biafra, follows those people into 1967 when they, confronted by economic marginalization, and, ultimately, physical attack by nigeria, declared independence and called themselves biafra. Mar 22, 20 chinua achebe, nigerianborn novelist and poet poses at his home on the campus of bard college in annandale on hudson, new york, where he is a professor, in this jan. Biafra was the worlds first properly televised conflict, and millions. Like much of achebes other work, this book about the progress of war. The defining experience of chinua achebes life was the nigerian civil war, also. Things fall apart is a novel written by nigerian author chinua achebe. Sep 27, 2012 renowned nigerian author chinua achebe publishes his longawaited memoir, there was a country, about the brutal threeyear biafran war. The trouble with nigeria by chinua achebe, paperback barnes.
There was a country a personal history of biafra by chinua achebe the penguin press. Acclaimed writer chinua achebe, whose full name was albert chinualumogu achebe, was born in 1930 in ogidi, nigeria and died in 20 in boston, massachusetts. Chinua achebes reputation as africas greatest novelist rests largely on his first. Despite the war, he lived a remarkably productive life. Stream and download audiobooks to your computer, tablet or mobile phone. While in many ways autobiographical, he successfully manages to also cover the backgrounds to and the conflict more broadly, and given his involvement in it, surprisingly even handedly. A decade earlier, his brilliant debut novel things fall.
One of the outstanding contributions of chinua achebe s there was a country, a personal history of biafra the last work the renowned author published before he passed away in march 20 is his eloquent explanation of the link between these two problems. His unique writing style, use of english fused with igbo language enabled him narrate the african story from an african point of view, earning him several literary prizes throughout his career. Chinua achebe, the superb nigerian and igbo novellist, has turned his hand to creating a personal history of biafra in this book. A personal history of biafra, remained in the works. Nigeria is haunted by biafran war world news the guardian.
Achebe, 16 november 1930 21 march 20 was a nigerian novelist, poet, professor, and critic. He also published several other novels, short stories, childrens books, and essays. A personal history of biafra and his article published in the guardian on 2 october 2012, there have been many debates about the biafra war. News about chinua achebe, including commentary and archival articles published in the new york times. The memoir with which he bookends his long career, there.
Achebe was also involved in politics in the era when the region of biafra broke away from nigeria. A personal history of biafra audiobook by chinua achebe. For forty something years chinua achebes 2012 book, there was a country. A great veteran of a bitter conflict looks back in sadness, and reflects on the role of words in war. In his influential first novel, things fall apart 1958, chinua achebe retells the story of european colonialist intervention in nigeria in the 1890s from an african point of view. Chinua achebe had an active and generous role in encouraging other african writers by starting the literary journal okike, by founding a publishing house in wartorn nigeria and by introducing, in his role as the founding editor of the african writers series, new writers to a worldwide audience. It was africas first televised humanitarian crisis. Odumegwu ojukwu declared that the republic of biafra, a small region of. Four novels followed, along with books of essays and short stories. Published in 1958, its story chronicles precolonial life in the southeastern part of nigeria and the arrival of the europeans during the late nineteenth century.
Of course, it is not that kind of book, but that is the point it is only that kind of book that can help a country such as nigeria. Christmas in biafra, and other poems by chinua achebe and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. One of the outstanding contributions of chinua achebes there was a country, a personal history of biafra the last work the renowned author published before he passed away in march 20 is his eloquent explanation of the link between these two problems. Inness chinua achebe cambridge, 1990 and simon cikandis reading chinua achebe. It is also a revelatory entry into the intimate character of the writers brilliant mind and bold spirit. On march 21, 20 chinua achebe passed away after a brief illness in boston, in the united states. Documents contradict achebe book there was a country on. Renowned nigerian author chinua achebe publishes his longawaited memoir, there was a country, about the brutal threeyear biafran war. For the first 30 years of his life nigeria was a british colony and it was controlled and exploited by the british for agricultural goods such as cocoa. Chinua achebe s lament for his native biafra and the decline of nigeria is powerful and moving.
A personal history of biafra by chinua achebe isbn. There have been several good books in recent years on achebe, the worldrenowned african writer, including c. Chinua achebes famous first novel, things fall apart. Inventing a solemn, heightened english to represent nigerian dialect, he portrays the dignity and beauty of ibo civilisation.
Of course, it is not that kind of book, but that is the point it is only that kind of book. He has published novels, short stories, essays, and childrens books. Chinua achebe s memoir about the moment when nigeria split apart at a cost of more than a million lives. It is seen as the archetypal modern african novel in english, one of the first to receive global critical acclaim. In 1960 achebe published a sequel called no longer at ease. Sep 30, 2008 nigerian author chinua achebe talks about slavery,colonialism, africa and the african diaspora. It contains scarcely any insights from economics, social science, or historical perspective. His first novel, things fall apart was published in 1958 and is still the most widely. Following school, he joined the staff of the nigerian broadcasting corporation in lagos. In this book achebe broke his silence about the 1983 nigerian elections. In the following chapters, achebes personal story reemerges. The author of the spider kings daughter tells us how she grew up reading european classics in nigeria, consuming her african literature orally until discovering chinua achebe when she was 14. Chinua achebe had an active and generous role in encouraging other african writers by starting the literary journal okike, by founding a publishing house in wartorn nigeria and by introducing, in his role as the founding editor of the african writers.
In march 1990, achebe was involved in a car accident on his way to lagos that left him paralysed from the waist down. May 25, 2015 corruption, indiscipline, tribalism, lack of patriotism, illiteracy and greed are killing administrations in several african nations. From the legendary author of things fall apart comes a longawaited memoir about coming of age with a fragile new nation, then watching it torn asunder in a tragic civil war the defining experience of chinua achebe s life was the nigerian civil war, also known as. There was a country, by chinua achebe the new york times. Driven by his belief in the political obligations of the writer, he became biafras international envoy, promoting the cause in canada, europe and senegal. Raised by his parents in the igbo town of ogidi in southeastern nigeria, achebe excelled at school and won a scholarship to study medicine, but changed his studies to english literature at university college. He attended the university of ibadan where he studied english. Apr 25, 20 chinua achebe, the superb nigerian and igbo novellist, has turned his hand to creating a personal history of biafra in this book. Nigeria did fracture once, however, and it is this story that chinua achebe, a giant of african letters, tells. Achebe s most recent book, his longawaited memoir of the nigerian biafra war, is both sad and angry, a book by a writer looking back and mourning. We honestly need to do better as a people and this book explains why with boldness, style and sharp wit. A celebration, edited by kirsten petersen and anna rutherford 1991. Chinua achebe has 87 books on goodreads with 578948 ratings. In the book achebe, a few weeks before his 82nd birthday, finally sets out to tell the story of his biafra.
Yet, apart from an interview with transition magazine in 1968 and a book of biafran. The author is one of africas finest novelists, the subject is one of africas greatest tragedies, the accusations he makes could not be more serious, and his prognosis for nigeria, africas most populous nation, is grim indeed. His writings, including the novel things fall apart, have introduced readers throughout the world to creative uses of language and form, as well as to factual inside accounts of modern african life and history. Chinua achebe remains the most read african author in the world. Every library should add ezenwaohaetos book to its collection. The trouble with nigeria by chinua achebe goodreads. Much of achebe s work focuses on the themes of colonialism, postcolonialism, and the tumultuous political atmosphere in post colonial nigeria. Oct 22, 2012 chinua achebes famous first novel, things fall apart, conspicuously borrows from yeats. Nov 16, 2017 channels television updated november 16, 2017 lovers of literature and the world at large are celebrating one of africas greatest storytellers, chinua achebe, who would have been 87 on november 16. In the aftermath of the release of chinua achebes book titled there was a country. Chinua achebe biography cliffsnotes study guides book. Surprisingly, chinua achebe wrote this book decades ago, but the realities he spoke about are still largely evident today in the present nigerian society.