Achebe also published essay collections on literary and political subjects, particularly focusing on the role of the African writer in society. In works published since then, Achebe has continued to explore 20th-century Nigerian life. Together, these three novels span precolonial Africa to colonial times to the days before Nigeria’s independence from Britain. During this period, Achebe retreated from long fiction, instead choosing to work on poetry and several short stories, including “Civil Peace.”Īchebe’s two follow-up novels to Things Fall Apart- No Longer at Ease (1960) and Arrow of God (1964) -continued the story the first novel began. Over the next 30 months, Achebe traveled to Europe and North America on Biafran affairs. The eastern region declared itself the independent state of Biafra. The novel has since been translated into 45 different languages.

He did so by interviewing older people and reading the writings of colonial administrators and missionaries. His writing also encouraged Achebe to learn about his native culture and to accurately depict it with his words. It presents an account of colonial history from the point of view of the colonized. A year later, Achebe’s first novel, Things Fall Apart (1958) appeared. Phelps recommended Achebe's work for publication. In 1957, he went to London to attend the British Broadcasting Corporation staff school where one of his teachers was novelist and literary critic, Gilbert Phelps. He remained there for twelve years, and was appointed director of the external broadcasting show, Voice of Nigeria. Then he began a career as a producer for the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation. Achebe worked as a teacher in his first year out of school. He made as his goal effectively and realistically communicating the stories of the African people, particularly the Igbo civilization. While at school, he contributed stories, essays, and sketches to the University Herald these pieces were collected in Girls at War and Other Stories.Īfter he graduated in 1953, Achebe decided to make writing his life’s work. The college at Ibadan was affiliated with the University of London, and Achebe’s course of study was very similar to that required by the University of London’s honors degree program.

He intended to study medicine, but he soon switched to English literary studies. In 1948, Achebe enrolled at University College, Ibadan, which was a new school. When he was 14, he was one of a few boys selected to attend the government college at Umuahia, which was one of the best schools in west Africa. At the age of eight, Achebe began to learn English. His father worked for the Church Missionary Society, and his early education was through the society’s school. Writer Chinua Achebe was born in the village of Ogidi in eastern Nigeria.

Chinua achebe books