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Achebe’s "Things Fall Apart" Named In Bbc’s 100 Stories That Shaped The World - Literature (4) - Nairaland

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Chinua Achebe Showing Off His Book 'Things Fall Apart' In 1960 (Throwback Photo) / Irene Duffy Lynch To Translate Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart To Irish / Achebe's 'things Fall Apart' Makes 12 'greatest Books Ever Written' List (2) (3) (4)

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Re: Achebe’s "Things Fall Apart" Named In Bbc’s 100 Stories That Shaped The World by danhiels(m): 11:40am On Apr 25, 2019
PharoahIII:
As a writer, I think I am in a better position to comment on this topic. Firstly you must appreciate that Achebe's mastery of the English language was second to none, although he did not have a flair for words as Soyinka does. In terms of scene depiction, Achebe was a genius. Achebe could describe a scene like none other. Achebe had total control of his audience, he knew how to keep them on their toes, wanting and practically begging for more. This is a feat Soyinka simply could not achieve. But in terms of consistency, I'll give it to Soyinka.
Soyinka's best work till date remains Death and the King's Horseman (The first time I opened this book I knew I was in literary heaven). If one were to take this work away from Soyinka, Soyinka will still be Soyinka. But if you take Things Fall Apart away from Achebe, Achebe will be a nobody. He'll be like a disrobed emperor. His other works were quite quotidian. Achebe was a master storyteller and writer, and Soyinka, more of a writer than a story teller.
If I had to choose between the two, I'd choose Soyinka, and that's only because storytelling in itself is a more difficult craft to master than writing.
Things fall apart is not a book, it is a bible.
you really are a writer.... or maybe
Re: Achebe’s "Things Fall Apart" Named In Bbc’s 100 Stories That Shaped The World by danhiels(m): 11:51am On Apr 25, 2019
Gratefulheart01:


I got demo copies online. Google books, i used an app to download it then, then i got another demo from a site. It's been long.

You can get the real hard copy book in bookstores in Nigeria.
Hehehe liar
Re: Achebe’s "Things Fall Apart" Named In Bbc’s 100 Stories That Shaped The World by Jibsonified(m): 11:56am On Apr 25, 2019
Gratefulheart01:


You spoke well, i read the translation of igbo olodumare into English by Soyinka. The nigga is good. Achebe too is good all the same

Please where can I get the Igbo Olodumare Translation by WS?

I will appreciate if you help.

Thanks
Re: Achebe’s "Things Fall Apart" Named In Bbc’s 100 Stories That Shaped The World by Nobody: 11:57am On Apr 25, 2019
danhiels:
Hehehe liar

Who be liar?
Re: Achebe’s "Things Fall Apart" Named In Bbc’s 100 Stories That Shaped The World by jeremy042(m): 11:58am On Apr 25, 2019
Jayslicky:
CLICK like if u think chinua achebe was a better writer than wole soyinka.

Even wole soyinka knows.. No sentiments...
Re: Achebe’s "Things Fall Apart" Named In Bbc’s 100 Stories That Shaped The World by Nobody: 12:01pm On Apr 25, 2019
Jibsonified:


Please where can I get the Igbo Olodumare Translation by WS?

I will appreciate if you help.

Thanks

You can't get the ebook full version free of charge, you can only get the demo pdf free by searching it in google, i saw it on google books then and another website like that. You can get the hardcopy in Nigerian book stores.

I've gotten some scare book online in the past like "there was a country, achebe" it all depends on how you know how to search online. If i want something i will get it as long as it's online. Although not 100% of time but i get whatever i want online 80% of the time.
Re: Achebe’s "Things Fall Apart" Named In Bbc’s 100 Stories That Shaped The World by Masterclass32: 12:02pm On Apr 25, 2019
Urchman200:
How this man did not win a Nobel prize is beyond me

This link may be of help

https://steemit.com/africa/@gandhibaba/conspiracy-of-the-west-why-achebe-was-denied-the-nobel-prize-in-literature
Re: Achebe’s "Things Fall Apart" Named In Bbc’s 100 Stories That Shaped The World by luluman: 12:12pm On Apr 25, 2019
Jayslicky:
CLICK like if u think chinua achebe was a better writer than wole soyinka.
Igbo low level thinking don start o.
Re: Achebe’s "Things Fall Apart" Named In Bbc’s 100 Stories That Shaped The World by luluman: 12:16pm On Apr 25, 2019
PharoahIII:
As a writer, I think I am in a better position to comment on this topic. Firstly you must appreciate that Achebe's mastery of the English language was second to none, although he did not have a flair for words as Soyinka does. In terms of scene depiction, Achebe was a genius. Achebe could describe a scene like none other. Achebe had total control of his audience, he knew how to keep them on their toes, wanting and practically begging for more. This is a feat Soyinka simply could not achieve. But in terms of consistency, I'll give it to Soyinka.
Soyinka's best work till date remains Death and the King's Horseman (The first time I opened this book I knew I was in literary heaven). If one were to take this work away from Soyinka, Soyinka will still be Soyinka. But if you take Things Fall Apart away from Achebe, Achebe will be a nobody. He'll be like a disrobed emperor. His other works were quite quotidian. Achebe was a master storyteller and writer, and Soyinka, more of a writer than a story teller.
If I had to choose between the two, I'd choose Soyinka, and that's only because storytelling in itself is a more difficult craft to master than writing.
Things fall apart is not a book, it is a bible.
No way, you cant refer to any other book as a bible please. Things fall apart is not word of God.
Re: Achebe’s "Things Fall Apart" Named In Bbc’s 100 Stories That Shaped The World by Jibsonified(m): 12:34pm On Apr 25, 2019
Gratefulheart01:


You can't get the ebook full version free of charge, you can only get the demo pdf free by searching it in google, i saw it on google books then and another website like that. You can get the hardcopy in Nigerian book stores.

I've gotten some scare book online in the past like "there was a country, achebe" it all depends on how you know how to search online. If i want something i will get it as long as it's online. Although not 100% of time but i get whatever i want online 80% of the time.

Thanks a lot
Re: Achebe’s "Things Fall Apart" Named In Bbc’s 100 Stories That Shaped The World by Liftedhands(f): 12:44pm On Apr 25, 2019
czarina:
As a writer, you're in a better position to speak, ba? What about the millions of readers who simply enjoy their works with zero knowledge of the plenty literature "jargons" you dropped. They should all shove their opinions into their asses?



Calm down. It all boils down to who you enjoy most, not because "you know better as a writer".

Justsaying kiss



P.S

Mr Writer, learn to space out your words/use paragraphs adequately. They're not in short supply.
Please tell him.

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Re: Achebe’s "Things Fall Apart" Named In Bbc’s 100 Stories That Shaped The World by Liftedhands(f): 12:53pm On Apr 25, 2019
koolaid87:
Too bad tribal sentiments wont even let me pick his books up but would rather go ahead and read about foreign affairs.


That has to stop cos I'm buying his book first thing tomorrow morning


So help me God
You mean you've not read THINGS FALL APART? I first read that novel in 1992 when I was in primary 4! And I've read it countless times more after. Tribal sentiment shouldn't deny you the bliss of gaining knowledge.

In literature you have to keep an open mind and gather knowledge.

1 Like

Re: Achebe’s "Things Fall Apart" Named In Bbc’s 100 Stories That Shaped The World by ALRENOgroup: 1:05pm On Apr 25, 2019
[quote author=NwaforIgbo post=77806668]Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart has been named in BBC’s 100 stories that shaped the world, making it into the top 5. BBC Culture asked writers around the globe to pick stories that have endured across generations and continents – and changed society.
One of Africa’s literary giants Albert Chinualumogu Achebe passed away in 2013 aged 82 but his works continue to make headlines, inspiring and influencing generations. Achebe’s first novel Things Fall Apart (1958), which is widely considered his magnum opus, and is the most widely read book in modern African literature has been named in BBC’s 100 stories that shaped the world, making it into the top 5.

In April, just months after the 60th anniversary of the publication of Things Fall Apart, the novel was named one of 12 novels considered “the Greatest Book Ever Written” in a list which was compiled by Encyclopaedia Brittanica. In the same month, Things Fall Apart was also named in the list of 100 Books to feature in ‘The Great American Read’ TV Series. The American series “celebrates the power of reading, told through the prism of America’s 100 best-loved novels (as chosen in a national survey)”.

Read: Things Fall Apart named one of 12 novels considered the “Greatest Book Ever Written”

Things Fall Apart is regarded as an important novel and one of the greatest classics of our time. The story chronicles the pre-colonial life in Nigeria and the arrival of the Europeans during the late nineteenth century. The novel interrogates the clash of cultures, traditional values and belief systems.

In April, BBC Culture says it asked writers around the globe to pick stories that have endured across generations and continents – and changed society. Experts around the world nominated up to five fictional stories they felt had shaped mindsets or influenced history. “We received answers from 108 authors, academics, journalists, critics and translators in 35 countries – their choices took in novels, poems, folk tales and dramas in 33 different languages,” BBC Culture said.

BBC Culture says the list is not definitive but its aim is “to spark a conversation about why some stories endure; how they continue to resonate centuries and millennia after they were created. And why sharing those stories is a fundamental human impulse: one that can overcome division, inspire change, and even spark revolutions”.



I stand with the global village to rate Achebe higher than Soyinka irrespective of your parochial view about his work compared to Soyinka which is based on your tribal sentiment. Check what the bases of their choosing Achebe's work are: stories that have endured for centuries but have not lost its value of overcoming division, inspiring change, steering up revolution.

108 authors, journalists, critics, academics,writers and translators from 35countries did the rating.

Novels, poems, folk tales and dramas from different languages were considered.Then do you think Soyinka's works were not considered too? But his works didn't meet their standard of selection. Achebe was not just among the 100works selected but he became one of the first 5. If any of Soyinka's work was to be considered atleast it should have made the list even if it is number 100. So nobody should start judging this base on tribe BUT let's be happy that one us (a Nigerian) made the list not as an Igbo, Yeruba or Hausa. We are Nigerians...For we youths and young writers we also need to look at what made Things Fall Apart very unique to be rated that high and then begin to develop our literary prowess on it even better than so that in 100yrs to come(2119), which non of us reading or commenting on this will be alive then, our works will still have value to be recognised globally as NIGERIANS

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Re: Achebe’s "Things Fall Apart" Named In Bbc’s 100 Stories That Shaped The World by danhiels(m): 1:07pm On Apr 25, 2019
Gratefulheart01:

Who be liar?
you o
Re: Achebe’s "Things Fall Apart" Named In Bbc’s 100 Stories That Shaped The World by danhiels(m): 1:11pm On Apr 25, 2019
luluman:
No way, you cant refer to any other book as a bible please. Things fall apart is not word of God.
o shut up it's just a poetic term...... Mr righteous

1 Like

Re: Achebe’s "Things Fall Apart" Named In Bbc’s 100 Stories That Shaped The World by kokomilala(m): 1:14pm On Apr 25, 2019
Well,people are entitled to their own biases.I've read and enjoyed Achebe's work,particularly his epoch, Things Fall Apart. But I've been blown away by Soyinka's works : drama,poetry and lectures.His mastery virtuoso use of the English language is almost unmatched. His winning the Nobel Prize was no fluke at all.In short, he is William Shakespeare reborn.Argue with history if u doubt me.

Meanwhile, contact me on Whatsapp- 08081815528 in Abuja for personal training and high octane training to get in shape fast.

1 Like

Re: Achebe’s "Things Fall Apart" Named In Bbc’s 100 Stories That Shaped The World by bluejeff(m): 1:19pm On Apr 25, 2019
Great fictional book.
I wonder why the argument of who is greater. They are all good in their different writing styles. The first time I attempted reading Wole Soyinka's work - The Lion and the jewel, I was in JJS 1. First of, I never liked plays/drama, always preferred prose because it helps me make use of my imagination very well, so imagine the strength I mustered before I picked up that book to read after having it for a while. I couldn't read pass the first chapter, as an 11-year old kid, I couldn't understand Soyinka's grammar.
My best writer growing up will always remain Cyprian Ekwensi, the great storyteller.

1 Like

Re: Achebe’s "Things Fall Apart" Named In Bbc’s 100 Stories That Shaped The World by stieyven(m): 2:24pm On Apr 25, 2019
PharoahIII:
As a writer, I think I am in a better position to comment on this topic. Firstly you must appreciate that Achebe's mastery of the English language was second to none, although he did not have a flair for words as Soyinka does. In terms of scene depiction, Achebe was a genius. Achebe could describe a scene like none other. Achebe had total control of his audience, he knew how to keep them on their toes, wanting and practically begging for more. This is a feat Soyinka simply could not achieve. But in terms of consistency, I'll give it to Soyinka.
Soyinka's best work till date remains Death and the King's Horseman (The first time I opened this book I knew I was in literary heaven). If one were to take this work away from Soyinka, Soyinka will still be Soyinka. But if you take Things Fall Apart away from Achebe, Achebe will be a nobody. He'll be like a disrobed emperor. His other works were quite quotidian. Achebe was a master storyteller and writer, and Soyinka, more of a writer than a story teller.
If I had to choose between the two, I'd choose Soyinka, and that's only because storytelling in itself is a more difficult craft to master than writing.
Things fall apart is not a book, it is a bible.
DO NOT TAKE THE NAME OF THE LORD IN VAIN. Exodus 20 :7
Re: Achebe’s "Things Fall Apart" Named In Bbc’s 100 Stories That Shaped The World by Nobody: 2:36pm On Apr 25, 2019
Jayslicky:
CLICK like if u think chinua achebe was a better writer than wole soyinka.
but he never won Nobel prize for literature!
Re: Achebe’s "Things Fall Apart" Named In Bbc’s 100 Stories That Shaped The World by Nobody: 2:55pm On Apr 25, 2019
Jibsonified:


Thanks a lot

Welcome.
Re: Achebe’s "Things Fall Apart" Named In Bbc’s 100 Stories That Shaped The World by Udomite: 2:58pm On Apr 25, 2019
PharoahIII:
As a writer, I think I am in a better position to comment on this topic. Firstly you must appreciate that Achebe's mastery of the English language was second to none, although he did not have a flair for words as Soyinka does. In terms of scene depiction, Achebe was a genius. Achebe could describe a scene like none other. Achebe had total control of his audience, he knew how to keep them on their toes, wanting and practically begging for more. This is a feat Soyinka simply could not achieve. But in terms of consistency, I'll give it to Soyinka.
Soyinka's best work till date remains Death and the King's Horseman (The first time I opened this book I knew I was in literary heaven). If one were to take this work away from Soyinka, Soyinka will still be Soyinka. But if you take Things Fall Apart away from Achebe, Achebe will be a nobody. He'll be like a disrobed emperor. His other works were quite quotidian. Achebe was a master storyteller and writer, and Soyinka, more of a writer than a story teller.
If I had to choose between the two, I'd choose Soyinka, and that's only because storytelling in itself is a more difficult craft to master than writing.
Things fall apart is not a book, it is a bible.
I like your phrase," THINGS FALL APART IS NOT A BOOK, IT'S A BIBLE. If you never read am try to read it.
Re: Achebe’s "Things Fall Apart" Named In Bbc’s 100 Stories That Shaped The World by luluman: 3:25pm On Apr 25, 2019
danhiels:
o shut up it's just a poetic term...... Mr righteous
Nothing poetic when dealing with Bible o.
Re: Achebe’s "Things Fall Apart" Named In Bbc’s 100 Stories That Shaped The World by NOETHNICITY(m): 3:47pm On Apr 25, 2019
OkunrinOloro:
Chinua Achebe was a writer of popular folk fiction. Wole Soyinka is a cerebral, philosopher whose writings can only be appreciated by men and women of deep intellect and proven academic credentials.

Comparing Achebe with Soyinka is like comparing the intellectual loftiness of Shakespearean literature with simple African folk tales. It's not a fair comparison because Achebe will always come out looking second best.

There's a reason why one of them won a Nobel Prize and the other was never even nominated.

Just pick up one of Soyinka's books like The Interpreter and compare it with Things Fall Apart. Read both of them and then come back to this forum and tell us which one showed a much deeper insight into the frailties of human nature and eternal struggle between individual freedom and societal norms.

I even rate someone like Cyprian Ekwensi as a better writer than Chinua Achebe.

Is it Cyprian Ekwesi that authored Madness of Ndidi
Re: Achebe’s "Things Fall Apart" Named In Bbc’s 100 Stories That Shaped The World by Joystark(f): 9:26pm On Apr 25, 2019
There we go again...
War between tribes.
We seem to have a way of making everything about ethnicity in this country. cry
Re: Achebe’s "Things Fall Apart" Named In Bbc’s 100 Stories That Shaped The World by somegirl1: 11:34pm On Apr 25, 2019
PharoahIII:
As a writer, I think I am in a better position to comment on this topic. Firstly you must appreciate that Achebe's mastery of the English language was second to none, although he did not have a flair for words as Soyinka does. In terms of scene depiction, Achebe was a genius. Achebe could describe a scene like none other. Achebe had total control of his audience, he knew how to keep them on their toes, wanting and practically begging for more. This is a feat Soyinka simply could not achieve. But in terms of consistency, I'll give it to Soyinka.
Soyinka's best work till date remains Death and the King's Horseman (The first time I opened this book I knew I was in literary heaven). If one were to take this work away from Soyinka, Soyinka will still be Soyinka. But if you take Things Fall Apart away from Achebe, Achebe will be a nobody. He'll be like a disrobed emperor. His other works were quite quotidian. Achebe was a master storyteller and writer, and Soyinka, more of a writer than a story teller.
If I had to choose between the two, I'd choose Soyinka, and that's only because storytelling in itself is a more difficult craft to master than writing.
Things fall apart is not a book, it is a bible.

Your analysis appears to be in direct conflict with your conclusion.
You stated story-telling is the more difficult literary style, and you declared Chinua Achebe to be the greater story-teller of the two; then you proceed to choose Wole Soyinka, who is master of the relatively easy literary style, in a debate about who's better.
How does that make sense?

2 Likes

Re: Achebe’s "Things Fall Apart" Named In Bbc’s 100 Stories That Shaped The World by MajesticD(m): 10:12am On Apr 26, 2019
somegirl1:


Your analysis appears to be in direct conflict with your conclusion.
You stated story-telling is the more difficult literary style, and you declared Chinua Achebe to be the greater story-teller of the two; then you proceed to choose Wole Soyinka, who is master of the relatively easy literary style, in a debate about who's better.
How does that make sense?
You are very on point, thought I was the only one that noticed.

1 Like

Re: Achebe’s "Things Fall Apart" Named In Bbc’s 100 Stories That Shaped The World by Nobody: 11:33am On Apr 26, 2019
[quote author=PharoahIII post=77810791]As a writer, I think I am in a better position to comment on this topic. Firstly you must appreciate that Achebe's mastery of the
Soyinka's best work till date remains Death and the King's Horseman (The first time I opened this book I knew I was in literary heaven). If one were to take this work away from Soyinka, Soyinka will still be Soyinka. But if you take Things Fall Apart away from Achebe, Achebe will be a nobody. He'll be like a disrobed emperor. His other works were quite quotidian.


I'm not sure you've ever read arrow of god.
Re: Achebe’s "Things Fall Apart" Named In Bbc’s 100 Stories That Shaped The World by DOCU(m): 3:30pm On Apr 26, 2019
Two great men but in two different genres.

Achebe has more international reputation than Soyinka.CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL EXAMINATION (CIE) and other Foreign exam bodies recommend his work yearly. I respect him a lot.

However, what he wrote could be written by any other person. He is just a good story teller.

As for Soyinka, he is more like a philosopher, creating concepts that never existed. For instance, Soyinka created the concept of "ABBYS OF disillusion" in his play 'DEATH AND KING'S HORSEMAN ". In that text, he projected interaction between the unborn, living and dead. Each of his creative work has distinct concept. No other African writer comes closer to Soyinka.

Achebe is just an ordinary novelist but Soyinka is a playwright, dramatist, poet, bard etc.

Achebe is like Ronaldo(an intelligent player) while Soyinka is like Messi ( a brilliant player).

The debate should not be tribalized. I am an Igbo man; I studied classical Literature. I am sure I prefer Soyinka to Achebe's creative prowess.

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