Book #54 Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

Things Fall Apart

Things Fall Apart, the title taken as a quote from a Yeats poem is the story of tribesman Okonkwo, a man who has worked hard within his tribe to achieve recognition having suffered the burden of an embarrassing father. A number of unfortunate incidents befall Okonkwo and he is forced into exile. Upon his return white colonialists have come to his village, and nothing will ever be the same again.

A relatively short novel by any standards, Things Fall Apart shows tribal life before European colonisation reflects upon morality, belonging and social standing within different cultural norms to our own. It also shows the beginning of what became the almost total erosion of tribal culture due to Western interference. This gives cause for reflection because whilst the West generally had a negative impact in its dealings with Africa, certain horrible cultural acts based upon superstition such as leaving twins to die of exposure in the forest vanish too.

It reminded me of a somehow reverse Heart Of Darkness, however I did not feel that the ending rang true to Okonkwo's character of spirit.  A good book, and given its brevity worth the time it takes to read it. Part of me would have liked a longer, more detailed novel, which said more and followed history as it had developed over time 7/10

Book #40 Tiny Sunbirds Far Away by Christie Watson

Tiny Sunbirds Far Away

When I was 14, Alan Paton's Cry, The Beloved Country became my favourite novel. Nothing's changed. A South Africa set novel, I have always wanted to go to the continent of Africa since (never have) and when I come across an African novel look forward to reading it.

Tiny Sunbirds Far Away by Christie Watson is set in Nigeria. Siblings Blessing and Ezikiel live in Lagos, they have a comfortable apartment, a driver, and attend the International School. But, when their father suddenly leaves their mother for another woman, they find they must move to their grandparents compound in a small village.

The compound has no running water, no electricity, and the local school is cramped. Their grandfather Alhaji has converted to Islam and so must they. The life they lead is under constant financial strain and their safety is threatened by armed gangs that roam the jungle.

Blessing from whose perspective the novel is told makes a likeable protagonist as we see the events in their world and family life through her perspective. Alhaji is a bombastic frustrated man and yet he is loved by his family even with his flaws. Socio-political issues in Nigeria are dealt with with a somewhat "light" hand from armed militia groups, to the petroleum industry to the practice of female genital mutilation, and I would have preferred to have seen more depth of reflection here.

What didn't quite work for me was the level of culture shock and adjustment for these privileged city children, who seem to adapt to their circumstance a little too easily and without much complaint. However I loved the ongoing story arc of Blessing's relationship with her Grandmother and the portrait of loopy junior wife Celestine.

Overall it was engrossing enough to be considered a good read. Not the best I've read this year, but moving, enjoyable, and unusual nonetheless 8/10