Menu
About A Man of the People From the renowned author of The African Trilogy, a political satire about an unnamed African country navigating a path between violence and corruption As Minister for Culture, former school teacher M. Nanga is a man of the people, as cynical as he is charming, and a roguish opportunist.
When Odili, an idealistic young teacher, visits his former instructor at the ministry, the division between them is vast. But in the eat-and-let-eat atmosphere, Odili’s idealism soon collides with his lusts—and the two men’s personal and political tauntings threaten to send their country into chaos. When Odili launches a vicious campaign against his former mentor for the same seat in an election, their mutual animosity drives the country to revolution. Published, prophetically, just days before Nigeria’s first attempted coup in 1966, A Man of the People is an essential part of Achebe’s body of work. About A Man of the People From the renowned author of The African Trilogy, a political satire about an unnamed African country navigating a path between violence and corruption As Minister for Culture, former school teacher M.
Nanga is a man of the people, as cynical as he is charming, and a roguish opportunist. When Odili, an idealistic young teacher, visits his former instructor at the ministry, the division between them is vast.
But in the eat-and-let-eat atmosphere, Odili’s idealism soon collides with his lusts—and the two men’s personal and political tauntings threaten to send their country into chaos. When Odili launches a vicious campaign against his former mentor for the same seat in an election, their mutual animosity drives the country to revolution. Published, prophetically, just days before Nigeria’s first attempted coup in 1966, A Man of the People is an essential part of Achebe’s body of work. Praise Praise for Chinua Achebe “A magical writer—one of the greatest of the twentieth century.” —Margaret Atwood “African literature is incomplete and unthinkable without the works of Chinua Achebe.” —Toni Morrison “Chinua Achebe is gloriously gifted with the magic of an ebullient, generous, great talent.” —Nadine Gordimer “Achebe’s influence should go on and on.
I confess I never really understood Achebe's popularity until very recently. Barely held my interest, and I was almost going to give up on him. I abandoned that horrid misconception after reading A Man of the People. Here, Achebe shows more clearly what I had missed.
He is a savvy chronicler of language, personality, and greed. He writes with affectionate and mocking detail. The story revolves around a young educated man, Odili, and his relationship with Chief Nanga, a corrupt, I confess I never really understood Achebe's popularity until very recently.
Barely held my interest, and I was almost going to give up on him. I abandoned that horrid misconception after reading A Man of the People. Here, Achebe shows more clearly what I had missed.
He is a savvy chronicler of language, personality, and greed. He writes with affectionate and mocking detail. The story revolves around a young educated man, Odili, and his relationship with Chief Nanga, a corrupt, swaggering Minister of Culture in an unnamed country.
Odili tries at first to become friends with Nanga. After a falling out, Odili plans an elaborate revenge, involving Nanga's young wife and the recent elections.
It is easy to say, 'This book is an allegory' - there's politics as the most brutal infighting, the young and educated versus the old and traditional, the power and brutishness of corruption, and so forth. But the story is a bit more subtle than that. Internal tyrants join in with the external ones in the great Scramble for power.
Our heroes tell little lies about themselves to make themselves look better. Achebe savors personal tics, details, dialects, and especially little ironies. Of course, there was a coup, in Achebe's own Nigeria. The book mirrored reality so well that Achebe had to flee for his life, after the government suspected that Achebe must have been a conspirator. This, of course, is the greatest possible irony an author can aspire(?) for. A short yet pungent look on disillusionment and even hope. In such a regime, I say, you died a good death if your life had inspired someone to come forward and shoot your murderer in the chest-without asking to be paid.
Rest in Peace. I strongly disliked the first two thirds of this book, but I really enjoyed the last bit. As with other Achebe books, it has a strong sense of foreboding throughout, and at first it seemed like just another moral fable, of a good man going bad. But then the narrator, an idealistic young man in his twenties, decides to stand up to a bully, though for some of the wrong reasons. At that moment, Achebe somehow perfectly captures what it is like to be young and foolish and headstrong and selfish and I strongly disliked the first two thirds of this book, but I really enjoyed the last bit. As with other Achebe books, it has a strong sense of foreboding throughout, and at first it seemed like just another moral fable, of a good man going bad.
But then the narrator, an idealistic young man in his twenties, decides to stand up to a bully, though for some of the wrong reasons. At that moment, Achebe somehow perfectly captures what it is like to be young and foolish and headstrong and selfish and idealistic and generous, all at the same time. Also the treatment of the narrator's relationship with his father is just great. It is really exciting and somehow so easy to relate. A gripping tale, with vividly described characters like the bootlicking Nwege, Edna's greedy, avaricious father, the absurdly hilarious chief Koko, and Odili's own proud, well known and widely hated Father, Hezekiah.
This story chronicles the politics of African states, and it's eat-and-let-eat leaders. I read this book 11 years ago in school and I can probably remember it word for word, a must read for anyone seeking insight into the very nature of African state of affairs, from overnight infla A gripping tale, with vividly described characters like the bootlicking Nwege, Edna's greedy, avaricious father, the absurdly hilarious chief Koko, and Odili's own proud, well known and widely hated Father, Hezekiah. This story chronicles the politics of African states, and it's eat-and-let-eat leaders. I read this book 11 years ago in school and I can probably remember it word for word, a must read for anyone seeking insight into the very nature of African state of affairs, from overnight inflation to the disillusion poverty brings, and the rise of unknown backbenchers who will support unpopular motions in parliament if only for personal gain. Achebe tells this tale with multiple hilarious references, and makes even the most mundane story come through with such a fine mastery of humor. A thought provoking read.
I just reread this book for a class, and was surprised how much I enjoyed it. What I remembered from over a decade ago as a rather heavy-handed political satire turned out to be sly, smart and laugh-out-loud funny. Odili is a wonderful narrator, flawed yet so pained by his circumstances it's impossible not to sympathize. The 'attempted poisoning' of Chief Koko made me burst out laughing in a coffee shop. Too bad the political had to become so personal in the end-it was more entertaining when it I just reread this book for a class, and was surprised how much I enjoyed it.
What I remembered from over a decade ago as a rather heavy-handed political satire turned out to be sly, smart and laugh-out-loud funny. Odili is a wonderful narrator, flawed yet so pained by his circumstances it's impossible not to sympathize. The 'attempted poisoning' of Chief Koko made me burst out laughing in a coffee shop.
Too bad the political had to become so personal in the end-it was more entertaining when it was political. Achebe's Man of the People Notes, Discussion and Summary from my For Unofficial Use Only Blog This novel takes place in 1964 examines the institutions of Nigeria. Coming out of colonial times, the people have no sense of taxes or being taxed, especially the farmers (because the tax is just being wrapped into the purchase price). Originally published in 1966, during which there were two coups in Nigeria. The first coup ended the first republic. After these two coups Achebe went to Biafra to join t Achebe's Man of the People Notes, Discussion and Summary from my For Unofficial Use Only Blog This novel takes place in 1964 examines the institutions of Nigeria.
Coming out of colonial times, the people have no sense of taxes or being taxed, especially the farmers (because the tax is just being wrapped into the purchase price). Originally published in 1966, during which there were two coups in Nigeria.
The first coup ended the first republic. After these two coups Achebe went to Biafra to join their independence movement.
When Biafra lost that bid, Achebe headed to the US for an extended period. Without understanding that Chief Nanga is a man of the people, the story does not work. In the novel, it's the people that drive the action.
It's important that Nanga is the only character that talks to the people. Odili never talks to the people in the same manner. Even at Odili's rally, it's Maxwell who speaks, and he still doesn't speak to them in the way Nanga does (paragraph's ideas mainly attributed to prof). Questions and Discussion Points: - How sympathetic is Achebe's hero? Achebe portrays Odili as symbolic of the next generation. It's important to note that Achebe writes in the first person, a departure from his previous novels.
How do women in this book represent society at large? Edna is a pawn and passive figure-the least of the actors. Elsie shows a keen lack of fidelity. Eunice symbolizes accountability, which is what you want in a nation.
Akilo is educated but also a prostitute. Mrs Nanga:what's the deal with her Adam's apple?.In the novel, women go along with objectification. If they symbolize society at large, they are treated as objects that don't care that that is the way they are treated.
Where did lack of selflessness come from? Who's to blame for this endemic corruption? Achebe blames it on scale of largesse-in the nation/state there's no ownership (like that exists at the village level). Before independence stealing was fine because it was from the White man, but now it's stealing from the people? - How is religion replaced by materialism in the novel?
- Examine the inversion of education's importance. Could Chief Koko's overreaction (when he thinks that he's been poisoned) be a dig at the alarmist nature of that region by Achebe?
Be the first one to get - follow us on Facebook! Download torrent fireproof ita. And to watch join us on Youtube!
- Examine how he uses different women in the novel: - Examine the theme of infidelity among men and women. Does this transfer to a lack of fidelity in society at large? - Jalio is Soyinka (Sho-yeen-kah).
How does this idea fit into the novel's meaning? Incidentally, read some of this man's poetry! It's essential. The novel offers Achebe's commentary on education-they purge the western-educated ministers at the beginning and voice a disdain for their education abroad. The action highlights this competition, as well as the inability of society to hold anyone accountable, because they don't understand how their country fits into the larger global context.
Examine the roles played by fathers in the novel. Chapter 1 Chief Nanga (Minister of Culture) comes to his hometown (village) of Anata. He is 'a man of the people.'
Background on his rise to power. He recognizes and remembers Odili, who is a teacher in the village. He invites him to come stay withi him in the city.
The corruption and the politics are introduced. would a sensible man 'spit out a juicy morsel that good fortune placed in his mouth.' - showing tip of tongue to sky to swear oath? Chapter 2 Background on Odili and Else, his friend with benefits. Also meet his friend Andrew.
Odili is firm in his aspirations and his work to keep his actions `clean.' He will not stoop to cronyism to get the scholarship to London that he desires. There is a universal disdain among politicians for education abroad, however Nanga still looks forward to his upcoming honorary law degree from a small college in US. Objectification and devaluation of women shown in anecdotes. Chapter 3 Odili goes to Nanga's and is welcomed warmly. Background on Odili's father, a district interpreter-a powerful and hated man with five wives and 35 children. Odili's mother died giving birth to him-there's shame associated with this.
Odili and Nanga visit Chief Koko, who handles education abroad, but they don't get a chance to discuss the scholarship. After independence the value of education becomes inverted. Proximity to power is most important.
Corruption feeds and multiplies bureaucracy and vice versa. OHMS, which the elite don't use. (Our Home Made Stuff) - the gap between power and previous life is so huge that it feeds corruption Chapter 4 Mrs. Nanga gets ready to leave with the children to visit her village, which they do at least once a year.
Americans John and Jean stop. Jean flirts shamelessly with Nanga while her husband highbrows it with Odili. Jean and John work in public relations for Nigeria in their efforts with the U.S.
Good details about racism and lynching in the US to contrast with Nigeria's problems. Chapter 5 Odili goes to Jean's party and ends up sleeping with her. He finds that he doesn't really like her but ask to see her again. For American, Africans are a novelty, one that they hold apart and distinct from the `blacks' back home.
At the dinner party, Odili has a good time. Nanga never ends up going because Mrs. Akilo arrives at his home-we find out later that he sleeps with her. Shaking the fist is a sign of great honour and respect.
Chapter 6 Odili visits Elsie and sets up a date. He takes Nanga's Cadillac which impresses her. They all go together to a book exhibition to hear Nanga speak. Objectification of women again. Jalio wrote fictional Song of the Blackbird Chapter 7 Nanga makes a good speech and they return home. He comments that he likes Jalio after he sees various ambassadors fawning over the author.
They eat dinner and Nanga has sex with Elsie! Odili loses it when he hears them (she is screaming Odili's name in a perverse twist) and leaves the house at 4AM. He comes back in the morning and curses out Nanga and heads to Maxwell's.
a dash is a small loan or bribe-this destigmatizes corruption-it's just a small quick thing after all. Chapter 8 Odili plots revenge against Nanga. Maxwell hold a meeting of the Common People's Convention (CPC). While the party has Communist undertones, Maxwell is quick to reject that label. He reveals that the CPC has an inside man in the current government. All the politicians care for are women, cars, landed property.
It's like a rap video today. Case in point: - some in the older generation wish the white man had never left - 'it is only when you are close to a man that you can begin to smell his breath' Chapter 9 Odili goes back to Anata and we hear the story of Josiah, the bar-owner who took too much. Odili visits Mrs. Nanga and gets Edna's location and then visits her, saying that Nanga sent him to inquire after her mother (who is in the hospital). He gives Edna a lift to the hospital on his bike but also crashes it, humorously.
No greater condemnation: taking things till at last the owner (the people) notice. Chapter 10 At Christmas, details of major corruption (more than their fair share) break out in the media concerning current government.
The CPC has Odili run against Nanga. Odili implore Edna not to marry Nanga! Odili meets a lot of opposition in his campaign. It's important that he rejects Josiah's offer of support. now we see a dash of a four-story home!
- we also see that the wooden masks are now a game played by drunkards and children - we see Odili enjoying the fear in another person-enjoying power - whereas a telegram might take 3 days to reach the country, rumour took a day or less Chapter 11 Odili gets bodyguards as the campaign gets vicious. Through it all, he pines for Edna (probably more than he cares about the CPC). Nanga approaches Odili's father and tries to buy off Odili with 250 pounds and a two year scholarship. Odili firmly rejects this. 'Eating the hills like yam' Chapter 12 Maxwell arrives from the city with his CPC staff to drum up support for Odili.
Maxwell admits he took a bribe similar to the one offered to Odili, however, he insists that the bribe carries no weight and he just did it to take the money. When Odili approaches Edna, she angrily dismisses him. When the POP finds out that Odili's father indirectly supported his son's campaigning, they nearly jail him and levy convenient overdue taxes against him.
Odili's home village loses their pipes for supporting him. Odili writes off Edna. Chapter 13 In disguise, Odili goes to Nanga's campaign meeting. Josiah sees him though and calls him out. Odili is beaten severely, with only Edna vainly trying to help. He wakes up in the hospital and ends up winning Edna. A military coup occurs in the country, overthrowing the government and suddenly Max is a martyr and a hero.
corruption equated with 'a warrior eating the reward of his courage' at throwing the white man out - the people had nothing to do with fall of government-it was unruly mobs and private armies. 'but in the affairs of the nation there was no owner, the laws of the village became powerless.' - you've lived a good life when someone will shoot your murderer without expecting anything in return. Pokok persoalan novel ini bukanlah tentang hero atau penjahat. Walaupun naratifnya memuncak dari pertelingkahan kuasa diantara 'Saya', seorang intelektual muda dan Ketua Nanga, seorang menteri yang rasuah dan bobrok namun kelihatannya apa yang menyebabkan pertelingkahan itu bukanlah berpunca daripada niat yang murni intelektual itu untuk mengubah keadaan yang sedia diketahuinya bobrok. Penentangan yang lebih berpunca daripada masalah peribadi itu memaparkan secara bijaksana inti cerita Achebe in Pokok persoalan novel ini bukanlah tentang hero atau penjahat. Walaupun naratifnya memuncak dari pertelingkahan kuasa diantara 'Saya', seorang intelektual muda dan Ketua Nanga, seorang menteri yang rasuah dan bobrok namun kelihatannya apa yang menyebabkan pertelingkahan itu bukanlah berpunca daripada niat yang murni intelektual itu untuk mengubah keadaan yang sedia diketahuinya bobrok.
Penentangan yang lebih berpunca daripada masalah peribadi itu memaparkan secara bijaksana inti cerita Achebe ini bahawa masalah salah guna kuasa di mana-manapun ialah berpunca dari kejahilan rakyat itu sendiri. Kejahilan yang membenarkan penyelewengan dan menanggapnya perkara biasa kemudiannya menjadi budaya yang sukar dipisahkan. Sepanjang novel ini, banyak sekali ungkapan-ungkapan sinis daripada watak-wataknya yang mengabsahkan akan betapa kuatnya budaya itu di dalam masyarakat negara dalam novel ini. Di sini kelihatan betapa geniusnya Achebe mempertemukan watak utama dan sang antagonisnya dalam suasana mesra sehingga memungkinkan watak utama tinggal di rumah Ketua Nanga sewaktu urusan permohonan biasiswanya. Lebih awal diceritakan betapa Perdana Menteri menyelar golongan berpendidikan sebagai tidak memahami rakyat malah sebagai pengkhianat negara dan 'pengampu barat'. Dari situ kita hampir dapat meneka kemana arahnya cerita ini.
Dan itulah sebenarnya yang berlaku apabila pada akhirnya berlaku rampasan kuasa oleh tentera, namun, sekali lagi bukan oleh sebab salah guna kuasa pemimpin tapi oleh sebab kekacauan oleh samseng-samseng yang digunakan untuk eksploitasi pilihanraya. Membaca novel ini mempertemukan kita dengan ironi dunia ketiga yang pada satu masa berusaha membebaskan diri dari pengaruh penjajahan namun pada masa sama sering saja terperangkap dalam putaran ganas kejahilan yang akhirnya melahirkan pemimpin-pemimpin korup yang bijak memanipulasikan keadaaan. Sekali lagi, cerita ini bukanlah tentang hero atau penjahat, tetapi lebih kepada gambaran sebuah masyarakat yang tidak berdaya membebaskan diri dari kejahilan.dan sudah pasti kisah tragis ini diceritakan dengan penuh seni. Bukan propaganda murahan.
Ideally I would have given it three and a half stars for I liked it more then 'No longer at ease' by the same author. The book however does not deserve four stars due to the fact that it were the last four pages that made the book, were it not for the ending the book would not have made such a positive impression on me.
African Study Monographs
Achebe writes amazing endings, just perfect and that is what makes him to me such an incredible author. The story is an educated African cynic story on African early post colonia Ideally I would have given it three and a half stars for I liked it more then 'No longer at ease' by the same author. The book however does not deserve four stars due to the fact that it were the last four pages that made the book, were it not for the ending the book would not have made such a positive impression on me. Achebe writes amazing endings, just perfect and that is what makes him to me such an incredible author.
The story is an educated African cynic story on African early post colonial politics. I liked reading the story a lot, however the political message felt a bit like a side dish, the core of the book is Odili the young both cynic and naive but well educated Nigerian and his encounters with mr Nanga the self proclaimed Man of the people and hero of Nigeria. In one way it made a perfect combo, Odili's involvement in politics is directly linked to his personal encounter with Mr Nanga but on the other hand I could not escape the feeling that for it to work completely there should have been less about Odili's struggle for love (the conflict issue between him and Mr Nanga) and more on politics itself. The ending was written to balance the personal and political events but the balance in the books was more of a 30% politics and 70% personal emotions and relations issue. I would have loved to have read more about Odili's involvement in politics then Odili's personal issues and dilemma's but that is a personal opinion perhaps linked again that to me Achebe never reached the same level of character build as he did with old Okonkwo. Having said that the book is a worthwhile to read novel and anyone interested in the period and region should pick up a copy. Excellent and honest look at human nature.
A lot of human weakness cleverly and honestly exposed. I wanted to grab Odili, the narrator, and shake him.
But we are guided not to judge him from a distance but rather look at him as a mirror: Achebe hints that this person is not a million miles away from himself (Odili wants to write a novel about the first white men who came to his people). For me this is a signal that I am not to take this as an indictment of any one person or group of people but o Excellent and honest look at human nature.
A lot of human weakness cleverly and honestly exposed. I wanted to grab Odili, the narrator, and shake him. But we are guided not to judge him from a distance but rather look at him as a mirror: Achebe hints that this person is not a million miles away from himself (Odili wants to write a novel about the first white men who came to his people). For me this is a signal that I am not to take this as an indictment of any one person or group of people but of all of us. spoiler This might be why the character feels so real and familiar despite being so duplicitous and self-centred and disloyal. I can't call him a coward, he is brave enough at times, but it didn't cross his mind to defend Elise when she was raped, or to stand by her or support her. He seems to see everyone as a means to an end and I don't think there is a single point in the book where he shows any genuine concern for another human being.
(Correct me if I am wrong!) Despite all this he is well able to see almost everything that is vile in Cheif Nanga, he thinks clearly and has a strong sense of what is right. Or is he just waiting for 'his turn to eat'? He is very skilled at seeing what is wrong with the world and never stops to look at what might be wrong with him.
His chief motivations are sex, revenge and greed. But through all this he manages to truly believe he is a noble man. Some interesting quotes: spoiler 'This man had used his position to enrich himself and they would ask you—as my father did—if you thought that a sensible man would spit out the juicy morsel that good fortune placed in his mouth.'
'But we are eating too. They are bringing us water and they promise to bring us electricity. We did not have those things before; that is why I say we are eating too.' 'Not what I have but what I do is my kingdom' - Thomas Carlyle quote There is a bit about voting for someone just because they come from the same village as you, which is also rampant in Ireland and I assume that's the case everywhere. He calls it 'primitive loyalty' which seems appropriate. 'Some people's belly is like the earth.
It is never so full that it will not take another corpse.' 'What money will do in this land wears a hat.' 'I could tell by watching his face that his final state of knowledge was achieved through an act of will.'
'She had been like a dust particle in the high atmosphere around which the water vapour of my thinking formed its globule of rain.' 'As a rule I don't like suffering to no purpose. Suffering should be creative, should give birth to something good and lovely.' Achebe’s satire of the range of shenanigans in post-independence Nigerian politics was considered first ‘sadly so true’ and then prophetic when the book debuted on the eve of a military coup in the mid-1960s.
The writing, however, is timeless and still holds up as funny and farcical 50 years later. A small-town school teacher encounters his former teacher, now a big shot minister for culture in the newly liberated country.
Invited to the big city, he goes through a period of disillusionment, the Achebe’s satire of the range of shenanigans in post-independence Nigerian politics was considered first ‘sadly so true’ and then prophetic when the book debuted on the eve of a military coup in the mid-1960s. The writing, however, is timeless and still holds up as funny and farcical 50 years later. A small-town school teacher encounters his former teacher, now a big shot minister for culture in the newly liberated country. Invited to the big city, he goes through a period of disillusionment, then activism, then a victim of dirty tricks by the powerful minister. All the while, he tries to seduce the minister’s mistress. Achebe himself was involved with the creation of a center-left opposition party much like the one in the book.
Corruption, tribalism and violence plague this fictional country, as they have Achebe’s Nigeria. While mild by today’s standards, I suspect his discussion of the sexual conquests of ambitious young men might have been controversial when this was first published.
Though I had been familiar with Chinua Achebe for awhile now, I had not made a conscious effort to read his books due to an unfortunate association I had developed between his work and cheesy people in first world countries who are incapable of looking at Africa through a lens that isn't labeled AIDS, Noble Savage, Nelson Mandela, corruption, elephants and other narrow stereotypes (and who are proud of believing in them). By chance, however, I stumbled across a free copy of this book, A Man of t Though I had been familiar with Chinua Achebe for awhile now, I had not made a conscious effort to read his books due to an unfortunate association I had developed between his work and cheesy people in first world countries who are incapable of looking at Africa through a lens that isn't labeled AIDS, Noble Savage, Nelson Mandela, corruption, elephants and other narrow stereotypes (and who are proud of believing in them). By chance, however, I stumbled across a free copy of this book, A Man of the People, and figured that if a free Achebe book is sitting there looking me in the face, I have no choice but to give this fellow some of my time. 150 pages later, I find myself very impressed! Using a style of writing that is succinct without needing to strip down to the bare-bones 'it was good' sentencing of Hemingway, Achebe details a well-worded story about a corrupt Minister of Culture through the eyes of the protagonist, his former pupil in a fictional African country that may or may not represent Nigeria. Alienation from society and that society's notions of wrong and right play a big role in the book, as well as familial relations that astounded me in a way I cannot really explain. But what makes A Man of the People a real delight is that, in this country which lacks in hopefulness most of the time, there is humour and witticism that Achebe places in the most strategic parts of the prose.
(On a random note I discovered that, while most books I've read require me to find somewhere quiet, I found I could read this book in a very loud environment, in this case a sports bar, without being distracted.) Though some people might be understandably put off by the dominance of politics in this book (which, in a way, resembles Orwell in how it seems to reach out and encompass the reader as well), aside from crammed bookshelves I don't see any other reason why one should pass up the opportunity to read A Man of the People. I can't say how it compares to Things Fall Apart, his more famous book, but A Man of the People is undeniably a book of quality, and I look forward to reading Chinua Achebe again. This is not a book I would normally have chosen to read but on the recommendation of a friend I tackled it and I am SO glad I did!:-) Mr Achebe gently sets you down into what is probably Nigeria into the life of Odili, a well educated school teacher with the common desire to better himself. He is singled out by a former teacher turned politician, Chief Nanga, and plunged into the world of politics. He flounders a bit and then, spurred on by realization of the level of corruption going on Wow.
This is not a book I would normally have chosen to read but on the recommendation of a friend I tackled it and I am SO glad I did!:-) Mr Achebe gently sets you down into what is probably Nigeria into the life of Odili, a well educated school teacher with the common desire to better himself. He is singled out by a former teacher turned politician, Chief Nanga, and plunged into the world of politics. He flounders a bit and then, spurred on by realization of the level of corruption going on around him, leaps into the fray to fix the world or at least his small corner of it!
I really enjoyed seeing all of this unfold in the first person, through Odili's eyes. Seeing his inner struggle first with being singled out by someone he once admired to the shattering knowledge of all that is wrong with his beloved country, and finally to the realization of love - isn't it great that there is love throughout all of this? Yes!:-) While this book is short in pages it makes up for it in content. I read one chapter a day, savoring it like a daily dose of special chocolate. It was meaty enough to give me food for thought for the rest of the day. Many a day I wanted to read more but I was good and only enjoyed a chapter a day.
It was a wonderfully savory read! There will definitely be more Chinua Achebe in this girl's life!:-).Read It!.;-) Hope. 'A Man of the People' is, on the surface, a story about incumbent greed and how the man at the top of the food chain will continue to exploit those below him, an exploitation that the people may themselves accept in the name of change. Below the surface, the book acts as a perfect demonstration of how western socio-political models (democracy in particular) will not succeed in the vastly different lands of Africa, where the people still understand governance in tribal terms, terms that cannot be 'A Man of the People' is, on the surface, a story about incumbent greed and how the man at the top of the food chain will continue to exploit those below him, an exploitation that the people may themselves accept in the name of change.
Below the surface, the book acts as a perfect demonstration of how western socio-political models (democracy in particular) will not succeed in the vastly different lands of Africa, where the people still understand governance in tribal terms, terms that cannot be translated to a nation-state as a political entity. A situation that the elite have exploited, with great help of course, from western powers keen to preserve status quo (always good for business), to the detriment of the rest of the country. Yet the already existing gulf of power between this elite and the enlightened middle class seeking to create change (inasmuch as it is exists) is simply far too great to overcome. 'A Man of the People' employs satire sparingly and effectively to get the point across, and Achebe gets the story through to the reader as much in dialogue as in description.
He also does so with surprising brevity and without wasting a sentence. This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, So, since it's a satire, it's addressing the various corruptions in post-independence Nigeria-like country and Odili, as our first-person narrator, is unreliable and flawed and a total hypocrite. You know what I liked?
That I could relate to the idea of getting power in small doses until you do the same immoral things that you abhorred from the beginning. People are so good at talk, no work.
They say all these idealistic things about what a country should be like, how to fix it and what So, since it's a satire, it's addressing the various corruptions in post-independence Nigeria-like country and Odili, as our first-person narrator, is unreliable and flawed and a total hypocrite. You know what I liked? That I could relate to the idea of getting power in small doses until you do the same immoral things that you abhorred from the beginning. People are so good at talk, no work. They say all these idealistic things about what a country should be like, how to fix it and what's poisoning the country alive.
But often, when we're given the mantle of responsibility, we stray. It's not like we want to. I don't talk for Odili when I say this because his judgement was flawed by his misperception of himself as righteous and his pride played a great part in his actions. But I do talk of when a situation calls for you to set the wrongs right, it's easier said than done.
If a society wants to remain impoverished and with a cloth tied around their eyes, the individual (like Max) barking up about 'getting rid of corruption in the government' is just barking. This was a really thoughtful read. Gave me a lot to think about. If ever you have a conversation about post-colonial literature this should be one of the books mentioned.
What a gripping novel with descriptive characters and a plot line that keeps you at the end of your seat. A Man Of The People explores post-colonialism with a satirical spin. Achebe is able to tell his story of how destructive western influence is on a sociopolitical scale in regions of Africa. Achebe details a well-worded story about a corrupt Minister of Culture through the eyes of the prot If ever you have a conversation about post-colonial literature this should be one of the books mentioned.
What a gripping novel with descriptive characters and a plot line that keeps you at the end of your seat. A Man Of The People explores post-colonialism with a satirical spin.
Achebe is able to tell his story of how destructive western influence is on a sociopolitical scale in regions of Africa. Achebe details a well-worded story about a corrupt Minister of Culture through the eyes of the protagonist, his former pupil in a fictional African country that may or may not represent Nigeria. Alienation from society and that society’s notions of wrong and right play a big role in the book, as well as familial relations that astounded me in a way I cannot really explain.
But what makes A Man of the People a real delight is that, in this country which lacks in hopefulness most of the time, there is humor and witticism that Achebe places in the most strategic parts of the prose. I give this book 4 out 5 stars. And a must have on your shelf! I think I would have really enjoyed reading this book in high school (not to say that I did not enjoy it now) alongside other bildungsroman like Catcher in the Rye or perhaps more paired with The Great Gatsby or (not that I read this in high school) All the King's Men as a way of using fiction to understand a historical or otherwise unfamiliar social order. On a personal note (not that I intend these reviews to ever be anything more than personal notes), I am trying to read more non-US authors ( I think I would have really enjoyed reading this book in high school (not to say that I did not enjoy it now) alongside other bildungsroman like Catcher in the Rye or perhaps more paired with The Great Gatsby or (not that I read this in high school) All the King's Men as a way of using fiction to understand a historical or otherwise unfamiliar social order. On a personal note (not that I intend these reviews to ever be anything more than personal notes), I am trying to read more non-US authors (this was a loose plan before the 2016 election), and coming here to goodreads I am learning more in other reviews about the coup in Nigeria that this novel is alluding to. I am curious to see how trying to be less navel-gazing in my reading choices will affect how I see the current political situation in the US.
Berkisah tentang Nigeria, yang bekas jajahan Inggris. Odili adalah sarjana muda yang pernah kuliah di luar negeri dan merasa muak dengan politik di negerinya yang dikuasai para politikus berotak kosong. Ia pun menjadi guru di desa dan kemudian membentuk organisasi rakyat bersama temannya. Namun ternyata gaya hidup, bahasa dan ide-idenya sudah tak nyambung dengan masyarakat yang realistis dan sederhana. Nanga, adalah politikus picik yang pernah bercita-cita berjuang untuk rakyat namun karena 'kead Berkisah tentang Nigeria, yang bekas jajahan Inggris. Odili adalah sarjana muda yang pernah kuliah di luar negeri dan merasa muak dengan politik di negerinya yang dikuasai para politikus berotak kosong. Ia pun menjadi guru di desa dan kemudian membentuk organisasi rakyat bersama temannya.
Namun ternyata gaya hidup, bahasa dan ide-idenya sudah tak nyambung dengan masyarakat yang realistis dan sederhana. Nanga, adalah politikus picik yang pernah bercita-cita berjuang untuk rakyat namun karena 'keadaan' berubah menjadi seorang 'tukang proyek' yang tamak. Dalam novel juga disinggung bagaimana perilaku orang-orang yang pernah terjajah ini yang mengalami postkolonial syndrome, ketika berhadapan dengan para bekas penjajah. Sebuah novel yang menyajikan fenomena yang terasa 'sangat dekat'. Satisfying read.
Achebe subtly highlights the plight of a post-independence Nigeria, whilst delivering a sharp rebuke on the apathetic nature of the people in their unwillingness to stand for change. This all brilliantly done through the eyes and narrative of a young man called Odili.
He is by no means a perfect character, but the reader is left rooting for him throughout the book. Perhaps more poignantly, by portraying Odili as the only character who sees things as they are - but still maintain Satisfying read. Achebe subtly highlights the plight of a post-independence Nigeria, whilst delivering a sharp rebuke on the apathetic nature of the people in their unwillingness to stand for change. This all brilliantly done through the eyes and narrative of a young man called Odili.
He is by no means a perfect character, but the reader is left rooting for him throughout the book. Perhaps more poignantly, by portraying Odili as the only character who sees things as they are - but still maintains his idealism, Achebe is urging the country Nigeria not to settle for anything less than the best.
Indeed, united idealism - a united fight by the people - is the only way to cause change. Unsurprisingly, this book does not disappoint and is a must-read!
Chinua Achebe was a novelist, poet, professor at Brown University and critic. He is best known for his first novel, Things Fall Apart (1958), which is the most widely read book in modern African literature. Raised by Christian parents in the Igbo town of Ogidi in southeastern Nigeria, Achebe excelled at school and won a scholarship for undergraduate studies. He became fascinated with world religion Chinua Achebe was a novelist, poet, professor at Brown University and critic. He is best known for his first novel, Things Fall Apart (1958), which is the most widely read book in modern African literature. Raised by Christian parents in the Igbo town of Ogidi in southeastern Nigeria, Achebe excelled at school and won a scholarship for undergraduate studies.
He became fascinated with world religions and traditional African cultures, and began writing stories as a university student. After graduation, he worked for the Nigerian Broadcasting Service and soon moved to the metropolis of Lagos. He gained worldwide attention for Things Fall Apart in the late 1950s; his later novels include No Longer at Ease (1960), Arrow of God (1964), A Man of the People (1966), and Anthills of the Savannah (1987). Achebe writes his novels in English and has defended the use of English, a 'language of colonizers', in African literature. In 1975, his lecture An Image of Africa: Racism in Conrad's 'Heart of Darkness' became the focus of controversy, for its criticism of Joseph Conrad as 'a bloody racist'. When the region of Biafra broke away from Nigeria in 1967, Achebe became a devoted supporter of Biafran independence and served as ambassador for the people of the new nation.
The war ravaged the populace, and as starvation and violence took its toll, he appealed to the people of Europe and the Americas for aid. When the Nigerian government retook the region in 1970, he involved himself in political parties but soon resigned due to frustration over the corruption and elitism he witnessed. He lived in the United States for several years in the 1970s, and returned to the U.S. In 1990 after a car accident left him partially disabled. Achebe's novels focus on the traditions of Igbo society, the effect of Christian influences, and the clash of values during and after the colonial era. His style relied heavily on the Igbo oral tradition, and combines straightforward narration with representations of folk stories, proverbs, and oratory. He also published a number of short stories, children's books, and essay collections.
He became the David and Marianna Fisher University Professor and Professor of Africana Studies at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Achebe died at age 82 following a brief illness.
Comments are closed.
|
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |