Professor Chinua Achebe is well known as the Author of the Novel "Things Fall Apart" the first African Novel to be published in English Language. This year Things Fall Apart will be fifty (50) Years. Born in Nigeria, Chinua is a writer known for story telling and the use of proverbs to explain the minds of characters.
Chinua Achebe was born in Ogidi, Nigeria, the son of a teacher in a missionary school. His parents installed in him many of the values of their traditional Igbo culture which would later reflect his most of his literary works. In 1967 Achebe cofounded a publishing company at Enugu with his friend, the poet Christopher Okigbo, who was killed during the Nigerian Civil War of 1997-1970.
Chinua Achebe has more than twenty other literary works such as but Things Fall Apart by far remains the most popular Book to come out of Africa. This book is commonly read in schools and has gained the approval of many countries, having traveled from continent to continent gaining the confidence of academics and school authorities. The book has thus sold over ten (10) million copies making it a best seller.
The story of a traditional village of Ibo Land, Okonkwo and his downfall has been translated into some 50 languages. It was followed two year later by NO LONGER AT EASE, and ARROW OF GOD (1964), which concerned traditional Igbo life as it clashed with colonial powers in the form of missionaries and colonial government. With the tragic end of Okonkwo, colonial powers triumphed over traditional village setting.
It is difficult to imagine that the Author of this book is yet to receive the prestigious "Nobel Award for Literature" which his compatriot, Wole Soyinka has since received. Granted that soyinka is a Guru living in his world with countless works which may be cannot be marched in many years to come, Observers believe that an award of Nobel Prize to Achebe is long over due and wonder why this is taking time to come his way.
This year though, the writer may have to battle another great writer from Africa, Ngugi wa Thiongo (James Ngugi) a Kenya who is also seen as a great contender with his very famous work "Weep Not Child" Achebe is generally considered as having an edge over him considering the performance of the book "Things Fall of Apart" in the International scene.
We wish Achebe many successful years ahead especially as he once again attempts to win the Nobel Prize Award again.