Like probably 90% of his fans, I’ve only read Things Fall Apart, but what a great book that was. It’s funny, but I was just thinking about it last week after I heard another quote from, The Second Coming. Rest in piece, Mr. Achebe. You gave a lot of first-worlders a perspective on colonization they wouldn’t have had otherwise.
I taught *Things Fall Apart *once; some students got it, some didn’t.
I’ve been toying with assigning his essay on Conrad. If you haven’t read it, give it a look.
Very coincidentally, a few days ago I was reading an academic article on World Englishes (the concept that non-standard, local varieties of English are just as valid as the British, North American, and Australian versions) and the the author of that quoted at length an essay by Achebe.
To tell the truth, I had no idea the man was still alive. I thought he had passed away years ago.
Anyhow, I’ve read “Things Fall Apart” twice now, and I’ll probably read it again. Wonderful book.
R.I.P. Mr. Achebe.