logo

78 pages 2 hours read

Things Fall Apart

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1958

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book Brief

logo
Chinua Achebe

Things Fall Apart

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1958
Book Details
Pages

209

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Nigeria • 1890s

Publication Year

1958

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

15+ years

Lexile Level

890L

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe follows Okonkwo, a determined and strong-willed man in the Ibo village of Umuofia, as he strives to overcome his father’s legacy of shame. His journey is shaped by personal triumphs and tragedies, local customs, and the disruptive impact of European colonialism, which eventually leads to profound changes in his community and his fate. Topics of physical violence and suicide appear in the book.

Melancholic

Contemplative

Dark

Inspirational

Informative

Reviews & Readership

4.0

396,687 ratings

63%

Loved it

25%

Mixed feelings

12%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe has been widely praised for its profound depiction of African culture and the impact of colonialism. Critics commend its rich storytelling and complex characters, particularly Okonkwo. Some readers find the pacing slow and the language dense, but its literary significance is undeniable. Overall, it remains an essential read in world literature. MLA: Achebe, Chinua. Things Fall Apart.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Things Fall Apart?

A reader who would enjoy Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe is interested in African culture, history, and colonial impacts. Fans of Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad or One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez will appreciate its rich narrative and exploration of complex societal changes.

4.0

396,687 ratings

63%

Loved it

25%

Mixed feelings

12%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

209

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Nigeria • 1890s

Publication Year

1958

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

15+ years

Lexile Level

890L

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.