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cricca's review against another edition
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
shermreads's review against another edition
5.0
a cultural anthropologist's x lit kid's wet dream. achebe, you bastard, you've done it again.
elsa_k's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
If you're in college and reading this review, stop and go do your homework. I misread my prof's assignment and had to read this in approx. 24 hours. Not an enjoyable experience, but thank God for SparkNotes and Gradesaver!! I found the narrator's style hard to follow but after a while it got easier I guess. At the end, for example, I didn't understand that Obika had died. I don't think that's a problem with my reading level either, because I read a lot. I think something about the writing and the language used just didn't click with me. Maybe it's because my class didn't read the first books in this same series, but I didn't understand the titles and some of the structure of Ezeulu's world. Also, while I'm on worldbuilding, Ezeulu states more than once that Ulu is made up. I'm aware that all gods are created by someone, but Ezeulu talks about how his ancestors "installed" Ulu. Even if that's more of a metaphorical description doesn't that imply that humans have some sort of power over god if they can just build one into their culture? You can't harvest your yams because the thing you made up isn't speaking back to you? Uninstall it? Maybe I need to read some more analysis.
rogermckenzie's review against another edition
5.0
A wonderful example of how to use the English language to paint pictures and to fire the imagination. A master craftsman at work.
mombythebooks's review against another edition
challenging
funny
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ellenjr24's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
sunfishcakes's review against another edition
2.0
I wish i liked this more as someone who really liked Things Fall Apart, but I found this kind of slow and plodding. There's still a lot to dig into that I liked and I understand how the events unfolded at the pacing they did, but it was still kind of a slog to read.
sydsnot71's review against another edition
4.0
'Arrow of God' is the third Chinua Achebe novel I've read and once more it is fine writing.
It's similar in theme to 'Things Fall Apart' : a head-strong traditionalist meets a changing world. Once more the impact of colonial power on Nigeria is told through the story of an individual. In this case Ezeulu, the Chief Priest of Ulu.
The role both of British power and Christianity in undermining traditional ways, ending up in their destruction is more direct here. Ezeulu's beliefs are so firm that it eventually leads to the destruction of his own way of life and his community's.
It's a fine book but I still feel that 'Anthills of the Savannah' was the Achebe book I admired and enjoyed the most. Apparently this is the second book, after 'Things Fall Apart', in the African trilogy, of which 'No Longer at Ease' is the third book. I'll read that at some point as it will be good to read.
There is, as an Englishman, a certain shame in reading this book. I think we like to pretend our Empire was a force only for good whilst ignoring the wreckage we left behind.
It's similar in theme to 'Things Fall Apart' : a head-strong traditionalist meets a changing world. Once more the impact of colonial power on Nigeria is told through the story of an individual. In this case Ezeulu, the Chief Priest of Ulu.
The role both of British power and Christianity in undermining traditional ways, ending up in their destruction is more direct here. Ezeulu's beliefs are so firm that it eventually leads to the destruction of his own way of life and his community's.
It's a fine book but I still feel that 'Anthills of the Savannah' was the Achebe book I admired and enjoyed the most. Apparently this is the second book, after 'Things Fall Apart', in the African trilogy, of which 'No Longer at Ease' is the third book. I'll read that at some point as it will be good to read.
There is, as an Englishman, a certain shame in reading this book. I think we like to pretend our Empire was a force only for good whilst ignoring the wreckage we left behind.