Falling In Love Over Great African Literature
Chinua Achebe (November 16, 1930 – March, 21 2013) is largely known to the world as the ‘Father of Modern African Literature.” Google Corporation paid honorable homage to the renowned writer on the 87th anniversary of his life –– with a Google Doodle atop its search engine homepage.
It is said that “Things Fall Apart” is still the most widely read book in modern African literature around the world today –– even after 50 years of publishing existence, since 1958. Achebe continued to publish his great works and won the highly esteemed Man Booker International Prize in 2007 before his mortal departure in 2013.
Recently, a friend reflected over how Achebe influenced his life during his college years. He talked about the celebrated African author visiting his campus at the University of Kentucky, delivering a romping and often hilarious keynote –– to the chagrin of many who did not expect such candor –– especially Time Magazine.
As the story goes, Achebe was reportedly given a huge sum of money to write a biting opinion-editorial on the disintegrating state of African politics at the time. Achebe reportedly took the opportunity to turn the tables on the periodical publishing giant.
“The only thing we have learnt from experience is that we learn nothing from experience.”
- Chinua Achebe
Clearly, Time is not an African magazine read by African populations. So what sense would it make to talk about African politics to non-Africans? Not a lot of sense at all.
Accessing the situation, it was quite clear that Achebe’s wise words of political and social reformation would not reach African leaders needing to reform. Therefore, since Time is published to an American audience, including its leaders, Achebe likely figured there was only one logical thing left to do.
Staying true to the theme of the desperate needs of political reform in developing democracies, it is said that Achebe turned-in a biting op-ed on the hypocrisy of American politics and the treatment of its underserved and less fortunate citizens. After all –– why give American leaders something to look down upon, and perhaps feel superior in political and societal acumen, when a mirror could be a lot more useful in reminding them that political abuses and (assumed) political incompetence is more universal than they thought?
Needless to say the surely enriching article was reportedly never published. However, Achebe reportedly chuckled about fulfilling his end of the contract and still being very handsomely compensated.
It is that kind of quick-witted, tongue-in-cheek, bold-hearted way of Achebe which has made him a favorite of literature lovers around the world –– and for generations.
My friend even intimated how Chinua Achebe’s literature was so impactful, it led to he, himself, getting married and starting a family. According to him, he and the woman who would become his wife, actually first fell in love over Achebe’s skillfully carved prose –– while both attended college, unaware of their future together.
Here’s his account of things:
“When we met. The first time we talked. Our conversation lasted over three-hours. We talked about everything from food to politics –– to –– you know, all of our beliefs and so on. So we covered a lot of ground. But, then, she… I think she had started reading Achebe’s book, ‘Things Fall Apart.’ And I had that in my book collection. And I said, ‘What page are you on?’. I think I had it for a class assignment. She was near the beginning. And so, I started reading from where she was reading. And we would talk about what happened in the book. Then, we would go back and read another chapter and have a conversation about what was happening in the book. So, that was one of the ways we bonded and got to know each other’s beliefs about life.”
He concluded his story, telling me he intends to have their beloved daughter, currently a bright and academically gifted college student, read Achebe’s seminal work. It’s only right that things come full-circle. Achebe’s literary passages of falling apart, literally caused his future to fall together.
“Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.”
- Chinua Achebe
Kudos to Google, for honoring the 87th anniversary of literary legend, Chinua Achebe. His words have touched millions of minds and hearts in ways no one could have imagined –– and still do.
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T
A vintage interview with author, Chinua Achebe:
[Courtesy of the PBS News Hour]
