The Fiction of Chinua Achebe

'The overall import of the volume as an important contribution to literary scholarship cannot be overemphasized. [...] Literary scholars, students and the general reader savour the fresh insights Morrison offers here.' - African Research & Documentation: Journal of the Standing Conference on Library Materials on Africa

Chinua Achebe has an unchallenged reputation as the 'Godfather' of modern African writing. This Guide examines his key novels and enables students to navigate the field of Achebe criticism, setting out the key areas of critical debate, the most influential alternative approaches to his work and the controversies that have so often surrounded it.Since the emergence of Things Fall Apart in 1958, Chinua Achebe has come to be regarded by many as the 'Godfather' of modern African writing. Over 150 full length studies of his work have been published, together with many hundreds of scholarly articles.

This Reader's Guide enables students to navigate the rich and bewildering field of Achebe criticism, setting out the key areas of critical debate, the most influential alternative approaches to his work and the controversies that have so often surrounded it. The Guide examines Achebe's key novels - with the main focus on Things Fall Apart - and also discusses his less well-known short fiction. Including discussion of important Nigerian scholarship that is often inaccessible, this is an invaluable introduction to the work of one of Africa's most important and popular writers.