Things Fall Apart – June CC Book Club Selection

Parents Forum Parent Cafe
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<p>Our June CC Book Club selection is Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. From Amazon:</p>

<p>“Things Fall Apart tells two intertwining stories, both centering on Okonkwo, a ‘strong man’ of an Ibo village in Nigeria. The first, a powerful fable of the immemorial conflict between the individual and society, traces Okonkwo’s fall from grace with the tribal world. The second, as modern as the first is ancient, concerns the clash of cultures and the destruction of Okonkwo's world with the arrival of aggressive European missionaries.”</p>

<p>Chinua Achebe died last month at the age of 82. This week, in an article remembering Achebe, one of his former students, anthropologist and writer Irma McLaurin, wrote: </p>

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Those who have yet to read Chinua Achebe's works in their entirety have no idea of what they are missing. He is a storyteller of the highest order; I highly recommend starting with Things Fall Apart. The novel has sold over 8 million copies and is translated into over 50 languages. It is a global masterpiece. The Daily Freeman quotes noted African scholar Kwame Anthony Appiah as once saying in reference to the impact of Chinua Achebe on African literature: "It would be like asking how Shakespeare influenced English writers or Pushkin influenced Russians. Achebe didn't only play the game, he invented it."</p>

<p><a href="http://www.insightnews.com/component/content/article/38-irma-mcclaurin/10605-chinua-achebe-the-passing-of-a-gentle-literary-giant-and-a-friend%5B/url%5D%5B/quote%5D"&gt;http://www.insightnews.com/component/content/article/38-irma-mcclaurin/10605-chinua-achebe-the-passing-of-a-gentle-literary-giant-and-a-friend

[/quote]
</a></p>

<p>Discussion begins June 1st. Please join us!</p>

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<p>Posting now to create a starred thread. I’m looking forward to reading this.</p>

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<p>For those who have not read the book before, there is a glossary in the back to help with the Nigerian words :).</p>

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<p>^ Thanks! I don’t think I would have noticed that until I had turned the very last page of the book.</p>

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<p>Hello, just bumping this up to remind anyone who is interested that our discussion of Things Fall Apart begins June 1st. I hope those who have started/finished the book have found it a worthwhile read. I haven’t read it yet, but will be picking it up soon.</p>

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<p>I spaced out and thought we were starting discussion May 1 and finished it yesterday. I’ll be lucky if I remember anything by June!</p>

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<p>^ That’s why I wait until about two weeks before discussion to start the book. The ol’ brain ain’t what it used to be. :)</p>

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<p>I picked up my copy of Things Fall Apart from the library today - only 209 pages. I can do this. :)</p>

<p>(I also picked up The Buddha in the Attic for my real-life book club. May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, hence the choice of book. The Buddha in the Attic is only 129 pages. I can even do this. ;))</p>

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<p>Finished the book today. For anyone wondering if it’s too late to grab a copy, it isn’t. It can easily be read in a few days (or less).</p>

<p>I’m most likely going to read the next in the trilogy No Longer At Ease about Okonkwo’s son Isaac/Nwoye and his grandson Obi. I’ve requested it from the library.</p>

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<p>Oh, there’s a trilogy. I didn’t know. I’d better get crackin’!</p>

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<p>// Chinua Achebe died last month at the age of 82.</p>

<p>I didn’t know that. RIP.</p>

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<p>It’s called The African Trilogy. I figured if I don’t read #2 and then #3 in the trilogy now, it likely won’t happen.</p>

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<p>LOL, too true, but maybe I should just reread Things Fall Apart, since as predicted I don’t remember as much as l’d like to!</p>

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<p>It’s June 1st! Good-bye school year, hello summer, and welcome to our discussion of Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe.</p>

<p>This book transported me to a different world, and yet on the flip side, it also made me keenly aware of the characteristics that all human communities share. Surely we are more alike than different, no matter our roots.</p>

<p>Here is the list of discussion questions to get us started:</p>

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<p>I am going to start with #7:</p>

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<p>I am a practicing Catholic with a wide streak of cynicism, and I am often both amused and disturbed by the rituals that are a part of my faith. For example:</p>

<p>A couple of years ago, we had a relic of Mother Cabrini on display in our church. It was a hearty and complete arm bone (not merely a sliver like some relics), on view in a glass case with gold edging. The bishop came to our parish, and in his white robe, red cape and beanie hat, he venerated the saint’s relic, dispensing incense from a golden censer, symbolizing our prayers rising to heaven.</p>

<p>Here’s an article about the relic: [Catholic</a> New World - Bone tour ends with Mass for ?citizen saint?](<a href=“http://www.catholicnewworld.com/cnwonline/2007/1111/1.aspx?a=print]Catholic”>http://www.catholicnewworld.com/cnwonline/2007/1111/1.aspx?a=print) </p>

<p>If you read it with an objective eye (especially the “separated parts” section)… well, let’s face it, it’s weird.</p>

<p>Here’s another example: In May, I went to the Ordination of Deacons at Holy Name Cathedral. The mass began with a solemn procession led by men in red robes (the candidates), followed by the Cardinal wearing a silk mitre and carrying a heavy staff. No women were robed, none were ordained, none were allowed to read the gospel. The very idea would be scandalous. Should a woman try to join the group, she would be vilified. </p>

<p>It’s not as bad as leaving twin babies in the forest to die, but it strikes many of those outside the faith as wrong and backward. My comments aren’t meant to offend or to engage others in debate; I am merely answering the discussion question, “casting an honest eye on my own religious practices.” Keeping that in mind, I tried not to be quick to judge the practices of Okonkwo’s people.</p>

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<p>Mary, Thank you for getting us started! I liked the book - added a piece of “cultural awareness” to my existence.</p>

<p>I have an example from the world of superstitions (also baffling). Last week, my son started a summer college program. He was assigned a room on the 13th floor, and I cringed just a bit, hoping there was some kind of mistake! I even (stupidly) said something to him, but fortunately he shrugged it off as nutty mom stuff. :)</p>

<p>The point of not being too judgmental of other cultures is well taken.</p>

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<p>^ psychmom, you have a slight case of triskaidekaphobia. As for me, my birthday falls on the 13th, so it’s my lucky number. :)</p>

<p>Many buildings don’t even have a 13th floor: <a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thirteenth_floor[/url]”>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thirteenth_floor&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>^We own two apartment buildings having more than 13 units, but none of the apartments are called #13. One goes by #12A, the other just skips from #12 to #14. </p>

<p>Our neighbors are Nigerian. I’ve eaten some of the foods described in the book.</p>

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<p>I’ll have to think about those questions. Just wanted to pop in to say that I thought this was a terrific book that gives one much to ponder.</p>

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<p>I wasn’t at all sure about this book when we first picked it. When I was reading Part 1, I didn’t think I was going to like the book at all. Parts 2 and 3 were better and I can say I liked the book, but I can’t say I loved the book.</p>