Arrow of God follows Ezeulu, the chief priest of the god Ulu, in a time of uncertainty brought on by British colonization. The story alternates between the perspective of Ezeulu and his people and the colonists, including the memorably-named Winterbottom. The plot seems at first anecdotal, with chapters telling almost complete stories of the happenings in the six villages of Umauro. Yet as the book goes on a larger conflict emerges between the traditional ways of the Igbo people and the colonial impositions. The character of Ezeulu was a hard one to grasp; he seemed distant from his own story and was not nearly as relatable as some of his (many) children. The ending was my favorite part of the book, because despite the sadness it captured, it also created an ironic and ambiguous situation. Though I struggled through parts of the novel, it left me wanting more.
Anchor Books Edition 1969
This one has a different looking cover than the picture but it's the same book. Classic Achebe, although not quite as good as _Things Fall Apart_.
Book Description
Set in the Ibo heartland of eastern Nigeria, one of Africa's best-known writers describes the conflict between old and new in its most poignant aspect: the personal struggle between father and son.
My Review
I found Arrow of God to be a portrait of Igbo culture. After World War II, the British were self-appointed as civilizers and missionaries and it was interesting to read about their frustration at trying to interact with people whose motives are completely alien. There were quite a few humorous parts too. I would recommend this book to those who want to learn about the Igbo culture, African traditions, families, their religion and the bond between man and his maker.
Set in the Ibo heartland of eastern Nigeria, one of Africa's best-known writers describes the conflict between old and new in its most poignant aspect: the personal struggle between father and son.
My Review
I found Arrow of God to be a portrait of Igbo culture. After World War II, the British were self-appointed as civilizers and missionaries and it was interesting to read about their frustration at trying to interact with people whose motives are completely alien. There were quite a few humorous parts too. I would recommend this book to those who want to learn about the Igbo culture, African traditions, families, their religion and the bond between man and his maker.
http://miasbooklist.blogspot.com/2007/10/arrow-of-god-by-chinua-achebe-rating-5.html#links
