Where to Start with African Literature: Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

If you’ve ever wanted to explore African literature but didn’t quite know where to begin, let me offer you a solid starting point: Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. First published in 1958, this novel is often considered the cornerstone of modern African literature—and for good reason.

Why This Book?

Achebe's Things Fall Apart is more than just a book; it’s a bridge. A bridge between oral tradition and written storytelling, between the African continent and the global literary stage, and between precolonial culture and colonial disruption. It tells the story of Okonkwo, a respected Igbo warrior in Nigeria, whose life begins to unravel with the arrival of British colonialists and Christian missionaries.

At just under 200 pages, it’s not a long read, but don’t let that fool you. The depth packed into its pages is immense. Achebe’s language is simple yet lyrical, and his characters are drawn with care and complexity. Through Okonkwo’s story, you’ll be introduced to Igbo traditions, family structures, gender roles, and the devastating effects of colonialism—all told with nuance and without ever feeling like a history lesson.

A Book That Changed the Narrative

Before Achebe, much of African life was written about from the outside, through the lens of colonial authors. Things Fall Apart changed that. It gave African people and cultures the dignity of being written about from within. Achebe didn’t just tell a story; he reclaimed a narrative.

This book invites you into a world that is often misunderstood or oversimplified, and it does so with empathy and grace. It’s both an intimate portrait of a man’s struggle and a sweeping look at cultural transformation.

The Perfect First Step

If you're looking to begin your journey through African literature, Things Fall Apart is the perfect first step. It’s accessible, thought-provoking, and deeply human. It also opens the door to a rich literary tradition filled with powerful voices—writers like Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, Buchi Emecheta, ousmane Sembene and Wole Soyinka, to name just a few.