Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart

by Harold Bloom

"Things Fall Apart", set in Nigeria about a century ago, is widely regarded as Chinua Achebe's masterpiece. Considered one of the most broadly read African novels, Achebe's work responded to the two-dimensional caricatures of Africans that often dominated Western literature. This invaluable new edition of the study guide contains a selection of the finest contemporary criticism of this classic novel.

Genres: Fiction, Africa, Literature, Classics

Paperback

First published December 19, 2001

About the author

Harold Bloom was an American literary critic and the Sterling Professor of Humanities at Yale University. In 2017, Bloom was called "probably the most famous literary critic in the English-speaking world." After publishing his first book in 1959, Bloom wrote more than 50 books, including over 40 books of literary criticism, several books discussing religion, and one novel. He edited hundreds of anthologies concerning numerous literary and philosophical figures for the Chelsea House publishing firm. Bloom's books have been translated into more than 40 languages. He was elected to the American Philosophical Society in 1995.
Bloom was a defender of the traditional Western canon at a time when literature departments were focusing on what he derided as the "school of resentment" (multiculturalists, feminists, Marxists, and others). He was educated at Yale University, the University of Cambridge, and Cornell University.

Reviews

[Eliza · Rating 2 out of 5]

it was well written ig but it was tbh really boring

[boutjayl p · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very quick read, felt really immersive and well-told. Interesting!

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent look into the clash of cultures as the Europeans take over Africa and the fabric of existing tribal African societies starts to fall apart.

[Marsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book club Mar 07 - Excellent

[Maya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bloom offers criticism Of Things Fall Apart,the Igbo culture, duality in Igbo mythology,and...

[Ruhama Veltfort · Rating 3 out of 5]

Culture change in an African village. The scene is well drawn, beautiful descriptions make up for somewhat predictable characters.