AFRICAN NOVEL CHALLENGE JULY 2023 - ACHEBE / OKRI

CHINUA ACHEBE

The greatest of black African writers - the forger of paths

BEN OKRI

The first black African winner of the Booker Prize - probably the third great wave of writers from the proud nation of Nigeria.

What I will read?

No Longer at Ease



The second installment of his African trilogy.

&

The Famished Road



His Booker winner.

Every Leaf a Hallelujah by Ben Okri, illustrated by Diana Ejaita

Ejaita's illustrations are fantastic, but Okri's story of environmental protection...let's just say it's not going to replace The Lorax on anyone's shelves.

I am reading Arrow of God and will read The Famished Road,

>4 amanda4242: I have had mixed experiences with Okri. Enjoyed some of his poetry and one of his novels from the mid 90s but the last thing of his I tried, I couldn't take to.

>5 Kristelh: I will join you on The Famished Road and maybe on Arrow of God depending upon when I read No Longer at Ease.

Sadly I have fallen off the African Challenge bandwagon, but am hoping to climb back on this month with either The Famished Road, Anthills of the savannah (both purchased recently), or a reread of Things Fall Apart which was required freshman reading back when I was a starry-eyed frosh, many, many moons ago.

>7 labfs39: Dip in wherever you are comfortable, Lisa. You are always welcome. xx

Achebe almost the only black African writer I had read before this great challenge: three of his books, including a book of poetry—-Beware, Soul Brother. Two more have been on my shelf a long time so looking forward to reading them this month.

Although I read Things Fall Apart quite a few years ago, I'll think I'll reread it by listening to the audio book.

I read things fall apart for an earier month on this challenge which I thought tremendous. Famishe Road is on Kindle think Ill start there

Have started Arrow of God. The African NAME Challenge begins afresh. Maybe I should listen to at least one novel as an audiobook to get a better idea of how to pronounce them.

Irrelevant aside: can someone direct me to place on the LT website that tells me how to post a picture in a Talk thread?

>13 booksaplenty1949:

How To Do Fancy Things In Your Posts Thread

I completed Arrow of God. I liked it and found it easy to read. Now onward with The Famished Road.

I really loved The Famished Road which I read a few years ago. The other books I have read by Okra were good, but a bit too allegorical for me. I have also appreciated the Achebe novels I have read, and also can recommend his essays, I read Morning Yet on Creation Day

Finished The Famished Road by Ben Okri. I was not a fan.

>4 amanda4242: I'm just reading this now, and The Overstory, kid's edition should not make you want to go out and chop down a sanctimonious shrub.

>14 ELiz_M: Thank you.

>17 Kristelh: Im right with you. I like magic realism but this just didnt work for me

>18 quondame: It has the same kind of heavy-handed, poorly written moralizing that I disliked in The Iron Woman.

>18 quondame:,>21 amanda4242: I actually liked the first half, loved how the individual stories came together, but there was a point midway through when I realized he was telling story rather than showing, got bored and quit

About halfway through Arrow of God. Somewhat light on plot so far, but an impressive contrast to both of the novels I read for the Challenge last month in Achebe’s ability to convey what he wants to say by description, action, and conversational nuance rather than by explanatory narration and “Stand and Deliver” dialogue.

Finished Arrow of God. White characters are all pompous fools, oblivious to local customs and power structures. I have to admit some sympathy for them, given that despite Achebe’s vivid descriptions the dynamic of the tribal culture was opaque to me. Yams are involved. It was also clear that the colonisers had imposed a truce of sorts among previously hostile tribal nations, but that it was fragile. It made the outbreak of civil war in Nigeria seven years after independence more comprehensible. The novel was far superior to either of those I read for last month’s challenge; Achebe revealed character and conflict with wonderful economy. I intend to read more of his work.

Have started A Man of the People as a bonus read.

A Man of the People reminds me of The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born, but with less angst. So far, that is. Things may darken.

Yes, they did darken. Started as a kind of political Lucky Jim but the stakes got higher. Wonderful economy of style.

august?

Here’s the link for August, https://www.librarything.com/topic/352728