Things Fall Apart

This follows Okonkwe, son of a drunkard wastrel, who aspires to be a great man of his clan and have many titles. He is a warrior, strong and steadfast, following the way of his elders. Not necessarily a nice man but he looks out for his wives, children and fellow villagers.
Achebe uses the story of the ill-fated Okonkwe as a frame for the greater theme of colonisation by the white man. To see how the white invaders took over the hearts and minds of the clansmen and women and turned them against themselves. As Okonkwe tries to uphold the ways and beliefs of the elders the new religion colonises the very minds of some of the villagers with disastrous consequences for the clan and Okonkwe himself. After the shock reveal of the last chapter the arrogance and dismissal in the passing thought of the commissioner took my breath away.
I'm glad I read this for my own pleasure and not as a student, I can imagine that taking it apart in class would have dampened the enjoyment. Instead I was able to escape to the dusty red dirt, the torrential rains and the mysterious gods and goddesses of the Umuofia. I hope Ezinma did well.