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  • *** This comment contains spoilers! ***
  • Someone not familiar with Nigeria (or the Ibo) may learn a few things. Not a masterpiece, though.

  • I have a fraternal twin brother, and he is alive. I studied sociology on a large campus where there were a few Nigerian students. I am embarrassed to say that I never heard about the practice of exposing twins as infants, until I read "Things Fall Apart". The book gives the impression that there is ... Continue

    I have a fraternal twin brother, and he is alive. I studied sociology on a large campus where there were a few Nigerian students. I am embarrassed to say that I never heard about the practice of exposing twins as infants, until I read "Things Fall Apart". The book gives the impression that there is even a high frequency of twin births. I wish I had access to some demographic data on this matter.
    Perhaps part of the success of this novel was that it has been 'within the means' of many readers (it can be read without a great deal of investment of time). The 'economy' of the author may be accepted as a personal style. However, I feel that it is a weakness of the work that there is far too little attention paid to the psychologies, thoughts, and feelings of most of the characters in this novel. The protagonist, who remains the main focus, may be a tragic figure, but there is not much depth to him. I was hoping that the novel would include more from the perspectives of his sons, daughters, and wives --and neighbors, et. al.

    

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• ― Philosopher said on Oct 12, 2008 | Add your feedback

This is Chinua Achebe's classic novel, with more than two million copies sold since its first U.S. publication in 1969. Combining a richly African story with the author's keen awareness of the qualities common to all humanity, Achebe here shows that he is "gloriously gifted, with the magic of an ebullient, generous, great talent." -- Nadine Gordimer

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