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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. A. 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.
As Minister for Culture, former school teacher M. A. 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.
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1966
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11074 people want to read
About the author
Chinua Achebe
169 books4,170 followersWorks, including the novel
Things Fall Apart
(1958), of Nigerian writer Chinua Achebe describe traditional African life in conflict with colonial rule and westernization.
This poet and critic served as professor at Brown University. People best know and most widely read his first book in modern African literature.
Christian parents in the Igbo town of Ogidi in southeastern Nigeria reared Achebe, who excelled at school and won a scholarship for undergraduate studies. World religions and traditional African cultures fascinated him, who began stories as a university student. After graduation, he worked for the Nigerian broadcasting service and quickly moved to the metropolis of Lagos. He gained worldwide attention 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 defended the use of English, a "language of colonizers," in African literature. In 1975, controversy focused on his lecture An Image of Africa: Racism in Conrad's "Heart of Darkness" for its criticism of Joseph Conrad as "a bloody racist."
When the region of Biafra broke away from Nigeria in 1967, Achebe, a devoted supporter of independence, 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 in political parties but witnessed the corruption and elitism that duly frustration him, who quickly resigned. He lived in the United States for several years in the 1970s, and after a car accident left him partially disabled, he returned to the United States in 1990.
Novels of Achebe 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 served as the David and Marianna Fisher university professor of Africana studies at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, United States.
ollowing a brief illness, Achebe died.
This poet and critic served as professor at Brown University. People best know and most widely read his first book in modern African literature.
Christian parents in the Igbo town of Ogidi in southeastern Nigeria reared Achebe, who excelled at school and won a scholarship for undergraduate studies. World religions and traditional African cultures fascinated him, who began stories as a university student. After graduation, he worked for the Nigerian broadcasting service and quickly moved to the metropolis of Lagos. He gained worldwide attention 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 defended the use of English, a "language of colonizers," in African literature. In 1975, controversy focused on his lecture An Image of Africa: Racism in Conrad's "Heart of Darkness" for its criticism of Joseph Conrad as "a bloody racist."
When the region of Biafra broke away from Nigeria in 1967, Achebe, a devoted supporter of independence, 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 in political parties but witnessed the corruption and elitism that duly frustration him, who quickly resigned. He lived in the United States for several years in the 1970s, and after a car accident left him partially disabled, he returned to the United States in 1990.
Novels of Achebe 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 served as the David and Marianna Fisher university professor of Africana studies at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, United States.
ollowing a brief illness, Achebe died.
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August 16, 2020
With Things Fall Apart,Chinhua Achebe had set the bar high.
A Man of the People is not as good. It is a political satire. The theme feels very familiar,corruption by the elected representatives of the people,in a developing country.
But the book is not totally about politics. It is also about a love affair,and revenge. I read a translated version,something may have been lost in translation. But it seems that the pidgin in the original version,is difficult to read as well.
The characters are not particularly interesting.
However,the tension builds towards the end. The democratic process turns violent and the voters get tired of the "man of the people".
Seen so many men of the people here in Pakistan,including the current crop.The different incarnations are not all that different.
Achebe has been hailed for predicting an actual future event,a military coup in Nigeria. It's not his best book,but it's not bad.And coups happen here in Pakistan,too.
A Man of the People is not as good. It is a political satire. The theme feels very familiar,corruption by the elected representatives of the people,in a developing country.
But the book is not totally about politics. It is also about a love affair,and revenge. I read a translated version,something may have been lost in translation. But it seems that the pidgin in the original version,is difficult to read as well.
The characters are not particularly interesting.
However,the tension builds towards the end. The democratic process turns violent and the voters get tired of the "man of the people".
Seen so many men of the people here in Pakistan,including the current crop.The different incarnations are not all that different.
Achebe has been hailed for predicting an actual future event,a military coup in Nigeria. It's not his best book,but it's not bad.And coups happen here in Pakistan,too.
October 27, 2008
Chinua Achebe’s 1966 novella, A Man of the People, was selected by Anthony Burgess as one of the best novels in English since 1939. So reading this work one comes with high expectations. It is present day (1966) in an unnamed African nation and a well educated man is about to meet the countries leader, Chief the Honourable M. A. Nanga M.P., or M. A. Minus Opportunity as he is sometimes known. Our hero Odili Samalu is ambitious, and as his life becomes entwined with Nanga’s, his sense of ambition inflates.
Upon its release the Nigerian poet and playwright John Pepper Clark declared “Chinua, I know you are a prophet. Everything in this book has happened except a military coup!” Later that year, Nigerian Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu seized control of the northern region of the country as part of a larger coup attempt.
Reading Achebe’s political satire on the same day as the Zimbabwean elections were internationally called a disgrace was an odd convergence of fiction and reality and a prescient reminder that Achebe is a writer with a keen socio-political awareness and that his involvement with Nigerian politics at the time would have placed him in a position to witness the corruption and scandal that can more some African politics.
A Man of the People contains two firsts for Achebe as a novelist: this is the first time he attempts comedy and satire – much of the doom and portent of Things Fall Apart has now gone – and this is also the first time he has chosen to write in the first person. This form of narration works well, placing us directly in Odili’s head, writing after the events of the novel have transpired – so we know from the outset that he cannot win the election race in which he places himself. But the build-up to it still retains much tension, and the bloody dénouement even manages to shock with its sudden, unexpected deaths.
But Achebe is as interested in telling this dramatic (albeit comic) story as he is in exploring the deeper questions of how such deeply repellent men such as Nanga can remain in power. In an early sequence of the novel, when Odili meets Nanga again for the first time in decades and from where he secures his first job with the leader, Nanga is wowing the crowds, leading Odili to muse:
“Somehow I found myself admiring the man for his lack of modesty. For what is modesty but inverted pride? We all think we are first-class people. Modesty forbids us from saying so ourselves though, presumably, not from wanting to hear it from others. Perhaps it was their impatience with this kind of hypocrisy that made men like Nanga successful politicians while starry-eyed idealists strove vaingloriously to bring into politics niceties and delicate refinements that belong elsewhere.” (P.11)
Odili, at the start of the novella, is one of those starry-eyed idealists:
“As I stood in one corner of that vast tumult waiting for the arrival of the minister I felt intense bitterness welling up in my mouth: Here were silly, ignorant villagers dancing themselves lame and waiting to blow off their gunpowder in honour of one of those who had started the country off down the slopes of inflation.” (P.2)
Odili is one of those men that sit at home feeling he knows how things could be improved, if only he had the chance. Nanga gives him that chance. Knowing and now seeing firsthand how Nanga’s government is betraying the common man, Odili and his friends strive to do something about it:
“That first night I not only heard of a new political party about to be born but got myself enrolled as a foundation member. Max and some of his friends having watched with deepening disillusion the use to which our hard-won freedom was being put by corrupt, mediocre politicians had decided to come together and launch the Common People’s Convention.” (P.77)
Only as we know and they know, the enterprise is doomed to failure. The subsequent reprisals launched by Nanga leave one in no doubt that the country is corrupt, where everybody is on the make, and that where there is no overall law – just tribal groupings – that the corrupt will always win. Only Achebe has one final twist of the knife, and to spoil that would be wrong.
It is interesting to compare this book with Achebe’s more famous works. In No Longer at Ease, Achebe’s only other contemporary novel (at this stage in his career – another, Anthills of the Savannah, would follow in 1987), we see a Lagos that is still an African city in thrall to Western ways. The unnamed country of this novel is almost devoid of white men, and though the political figures in this work have all had a British education, though are not keen to retain those Western ideals. The country in this novel is one the white men have clearly abandoned – as was done all over Africa in reality – so that tin-pot dictators such as Nanga can come to power and be overthrown by another power hungry figure indecently quickly. There is no sense of permanence here, no sense of history of tradition. In Things Fall Apart we saw a culture whose history was ingrained in the very skin of its people. In A Man of the People, history has no relevance, and the mistakes are destined to be repeated.
Achebe’s novel is a deeply satirical one, in tune with modern African politics that retains much of the resonance it must have had for a 1960s audience as it does to us, forty years later.
Upon its release the Nigerian poet and playwright John Pepper Clark declared “Chinua, I know you are a prophet. Everything in this book has happened except a military coup!” Later that year, Nigerian Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu seized control of the northern region of the country as part of a larger coup attempt.
Reading Achebe’s political satire on the same day as the Zimbabwean elections were internationally called a disgrace was an odd convergence of fiction and reality and a prescient reminder that Achebe is a writer with a keen socio-political awareness and that his involvement with Nigerian politics at the time would have placed him in a position to witness the corruption and scandal that can more some African politics.
A Man of the People contains two firsts for Achebe as a novelist: this is the first time he attempts comedy and satire – much of the doom and portent of Things Fall Apart has now gone – and this is also the first time he has chosen to write in the first person. This form of narration works well, placing us directly in Odili’s head, writing after the events of the novel have transpired – so we know from the outset that he cannot win the election race in which he places himself. But the build-up to it still retains much tension, and the bloody dénouement even manages to shock with its sudden, unexpected deaths.
But Achebe is as interested in telling this dramatic (albeit comic) story as he is in exploring the deeper questions of how such deeply repellent men such as Nanga can remain in power. In an early sequence of the novel, when Odili meets Nanga again for the first time in decades and from where he secures his first job with the leader, Nanga is wowing the crowds, leading Odili to muse:
“Somehow I found myself admiring the man for his lack of modesty. For what is modesty but inverted pride? We all think we are first-class people. Modesty forbids us from saying so ourselves though, presumably, not from wanting to hear it from others. Perhaps it was their impatience with this kind of hypocrisy that made men like Nanga successful politicians while starry-eyed idealists strove vaingloriously to bring into politics niceties and delicate refinements that belong elsewhere.” (P.11)
Odili, at the start of the novella, is one of those starry-eyed idealists:
“As I stood in one corner of that vast tumult waiting for the arrival of the minister I felt intense bitterness welling up in my mouth: Here were silly, ignorant villagers dancing themselves lame and waiting to blow off their gunpowder in honour of one of those who had started the country off down the slopes of inflation.” (P.2)
Odili is one of those men that sit at home feeling he knows how things could be improved, if only he had the chance. Nanga gives him that chance. Knowing and now seeing firsthand how Nanga’s government is betraying the common man, Odili and his friends strive to do something about it:
“That first night I not only heard of a new political party about to be born but got myself enrolled as a foundation member. Max and some of his friends having watched with deepening disillusion the use to which our hard-won freedom was being put by corrupt, mediocre politicians had decided to come together and launch the Common People’s Convention.” (P.77)
Only as we know and they know, the enterprise is doomed to failure. The subsequent reprisals launched by Nanga leave one in no doubt that the country is corrupt, where everybody is on the make, and that where there is no overall law – just tribal groupings – that the corrupt will always win. Only Achebe has one final twist of the knife, and to spoil that would be wrong.
It is interesting to compare this book with Achebe’s more famous works. In No Longer at Ease, Achebe’s only other contemporary novel (at this stage in his career – another, Anthills of the Savannah, would follow in 1987), we see a Lagos that is still an African city in thrall to Western ways. The unnamed country of this novel is almost devoid of white men, and though the political figures in this work have all had a British education, though are not keen to retain those Western ideals. The country in this novel is one the white men have clearly abandoned – as was done all over Africa in reality – so that tin-pot dictators such as Nanga can come to power and be overthrown by another power hungry figure indecently quickly. There is no sense of permanence here, no sense of history of tradition. In Things Fall Apart we saw a culture whose history was ingrained in the very skin of its people. In A Man of the People, history has no relevance, and the mistakes are destined to be repeated.
Achebe’s novel is a deeply satirical one, in tune with modern African politics that retains much of the resonance it must have had for a 1960s audience as it does to us, forty years later.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 23, 2023
Yeni bir yazar, yeni bir ülke kültürü ve sosyolojisi. Ancak, bu sosyoloji, bizim ülkemize çok yabancı değil.
Belirli özellikleri taşıyan ülkelerin hepsinde, halkın yaşadıkları/yaşatılanlar hiç değişmiyor. Güzel günlere ulaşmak bazen bir insan ömrüne sığmayacak sürelere ihtiyaç duyduğundan, devrimci fikirlere sahip olanlar ve bunlardan dahi sindirilmemiş olanlar dahil, sahip olunanlar ile yetinerek mutlu olmak zaman zaman en kolay, belki de en doğru çözüm oluyor.
Kolay okunan, akıcı bir dili var. Beğendim.
Belirli özellikleri taşıyan ülkelerin hepsinde, halkın yaşadıkları/yaşatılanlar hiç değişmiyor. Güzel günlere ulaşmak bazen bir insan ömrüne sığmayacak sürelere ihtiyaç duyduğundan, devrimci fikirlere sahip olanlar ve bunlardan dahi sindirilmemiş olanlar dahil, sahip olunanlar ile yetinerek mutlu olmak zaman zaman en kolay, belki de en doğru çözüm oluyor.
Kolay okunan, akıcı bir dili var. Beğendim.
December 26, 2024
Saying: A mad man may sometimes speak a true word
All writing could be seen as the occasional true word spoken by a mad man. Perhaps this saying is true of this whole story, in which what is true, like power, is not always so.
Chinua Achebe’ A Man of the People is full of such sayings. They are more than local colour; these sayings are a unifying element of the narrative. The story could be a coming of age for young Odili, the school teacher narrator who is hurled into the heart of local politics during the 1960s post-independence Nigeria. It could be a strange quest for a wife story as Odili is often more inspired by love than politics and makes serendipitous mistakes based on his interest in woman – he has a doe-eyed approach to even the ‘good time’ girl who propels him to act against Man of the People or Chief Nanga, Minister for Culture and Odili’s former teacher, local power broker.
Another saying: If Alligator comes out of the water one morning and tells you that crocodile is sick; can you doubt his story?
Power is fluid, and change is always likely. Except when power is held it always seems impenetrable. This is as much a story of old vs young, the past vs the changing present. Truth might seem fluid too in a place where corruption is alternatively viewed as 10% off contracts for party purposes and the local population gets a little slice for voting in the form of badly needed public works. So not all is as it seems.
Another saying: a man of worth never gets up to unsay what he said yesterday
Reality is often spoken as truth. Everyone tries to do their best in the world. Wealth and power are not easily obtained or held onto. Truth is obscured. Odili’s father speaks those words yet made a fortune to have several wives and much drink based on being the local translator from local dialect to English and back again. In translation perhaps much truth can be lost and much power gained.
Odili clashes with his father when he is advised not to go head to head with his former teacher in the local election. But MP Nanga has offered Odili the use of his luxury "10%" mansion in the city for a tryst with a "good time girl". Odili mistakenly thinks she was his girlfriend. When the chief takes her by deception, Odili gets mad seeks revenge. But then Odili also has fallen in love with the young, educated ‘second wife’ of MP Nanga to be: Edna. There aren't any sayings about love in this novel. Usually it is sacrificed for the battle of old vs young, past vs change.
Odili has in fact disliked his former teacher since the MP took up with the band of populists to overthrow the previous government thought to have too many intellectuals. Prompting the saying entered into Hansard in parliament: They have bitten the finger with which their mother fed them. This debate within the novel early is about the hybridised society of colonialism and its intellectual legacy vs the local authority and culture. Each saying reminds us that wisdom is hard earned, not only learned at University where Odili is being sent on scholarship by his benefactor MP. Even Odili is momentary seduced by what power offers.
Saying: A man who has just come in from the rain and dried his body and put on dry clothes is more reluctant to go out again than another who has been indoors all the time.
I like this one, it speaks so much about how some can cope with change and others stay still. Odili receives advice like this as his pride and anger take over. People can too easily get comfortable with their power, too. MP Nanga may well discover this himself.
Power always has its day in some form all the time. It is stable because it is desired. It confers the sort of authority gained in this my favourite saying:
In our country a long American car driven by a white-uniformed chauffer and flying a Ministerial flag could pass through the eye of a needle
Foreign or colonial power, political power, local power and male power are all contained in that saying. No women are in the back seat of that Cadillac in this novel, by the way. They can be first, second or fifth wives under local custom. Power and money go hand in hand.
Another saying: What money will do in this land wears a hat.
I like that one, too. It goes hand in hand with human needs and desires:
Some people’s belly is like the earth. It is never so full that it cannot take another corpse
I’ll leave you with one last saying, not essential to the story at first sight. It is about Edna’s mother. Odili is pursuing Edna to her home town and finds out the mother is unwell in hospital. Of course, since Edna is 'second wife' to be of MP Nanga, the mother is receiving his support. Odili doesn't reveal his purpose, so he pretends to be the emissary of the MP. The mother has been in hospital for three weeks to which is said:
but her body has not been hers since the beginning of rainy season
But then the same could be said of everyone possessed by some power or drive.
This is book 31 of the Heinemann African Writers Series. I was given this book by our retiring lecturer in 1986 who taught a course called The Stirring of the Masses in Black Africa. Our lecturer gave away all his books saying he doesn’t plan to read any more academic works. Academia was a job to him. He aimed to let go of power in all his teaching using a Socratic type of method, believing in debate, discussion, searching rather than authority and dogma. I miss that.
All writing could be seen as the occasional true word spoken by a mad man. Perhaps this saying is true of this whole story, in which what is true, like power, is not always so.
Chinua Achebe’ A Man of the People is full of such sayings. They are more than local colour; these sayings are a unifying element of the narrative. The story could be a coming of age for young Odili, the school teacher narrator who is hurled into the heart of local politics during the 1960s post-independence Nigeria. It could be a strange quest for a wife story as Odili is often more inspired by love than politics and makes serendipitous mistakes based on his interest in woman – he has a doe-eyed approach to even the ‘good time’ girl who propels him to act against Man of the People or Chief Nanga, Minister for Culture and Odili’s former teacher, local power broker.
Another saying: If Alligator comes out of the water one morning and tells you that crocodile is sick; can you doubt his story?
Power is fluid, and change is always likely. Except when power is held it always seems impenetrable. This is as much a story of old vs young, the past vs the changing present. Truth might seem fluid too in a place where corruption is alternatively viewed as 10% off contracts for party purposes and the local population gets a little slice for voting in the form of badly needed public works. So not all is as it seems.
Another saying: a man of worth never gets up to unsay what he said yesterday
Reality is often spoken as truth. Everyone tries to do their best in the world. Wealth and power are not easily obtained or held onto. Truth is obscured. Odili’s father speaks those words yet made a fortune to have several wives and much drink based on being the local translator from local dialect to English and back again. In translation perhaps much truth can be lost and much power gained.
Odili clashes with his father when he is advised not to go head to head with his former teacher in the local election. But MP Nanga has offered Odili the use of his luxury "10%" mansion in the city for a tryst with a "good time girl". Odili mistakenly thinks she was his girlfriend. When the chief takes her by deception, Odili gets mad seeks revenge. But then Odili also has fallen in love with the young, educated ‘second wife’ of MP Nanga to be: Edna. There aren't any sayings about love in this novel. Usually it is sacrificed for the battle of old vs young, past vs change.
Odili has in fact disliked his former teacher since the MP took up with the band of populists to overthrow the previous government thought to have too many intellectuals. Prompting the saying entered into Hansard in parliament: They have bitten the finger with which their mother fed them. This debate within the novel early is about the hybridised society of colonialism and its intellectual legacy vs the local authority and culture. Each saying reminds us that wisdom is hard earned, not only learned at University where Odili is being sent on scholarship by his benefactor MP. Even Odili is momentary seduced by what power offers.
Saying: A man who has just come in from the rain and dried his body and put on dry clothes is more reluctant to go out again than another who has been indoors all the time.
I like this one, it speaks so much about how some can cope with change and others stay still. Odili receives advice like this as his pride and anger take over. People can too easily get comfortable with their power, too. MP Nanga may well discover this himself.
Power always has its day in some form all the time. It is stable because it is desired. It confers the sort of authority gained in this my favourite saying:
In our country a long American car driven by a white-uniformed chauffer and flying a Ministerial flag could pass through the eye of a needle
Foreign or colonial power, political power, local power and male power are all contained in that saying. No women are in the back seat of that Cadillac in this novel, by the way. They can be first, second or fifth wives under local custom. Power and money go hand in hand.
Another saying: What money will do in this land wears a hat.
I like that one, too. It goes hand in hand with human needs and desires:
Some people’s belly is like the earth. It is never so full that it cannot take another corpse
I’ll leave you with one last saying, not essential to the story at first sight. It is about Edna’s mother. Odili is pursuing Edna to her home town and finds out the mother is unwell in hospital. Of course, since Edna is 'second wife' to be of MP Nanga, the mother is receiving his support. Odili doesn't reveal his purpose, so he pretends to be the emissary of the MP. The mother has been in hospital for three weeks to which is said:
but her body has not been hers since the beginning of rainy season
But then the same could be said of everyone possessed by some power or drive.
This is book 31 of the Heinemann African Writers Series. I was given this book by our retiring lecturer in 1986 who taught a course called The Stirring of the Masses in Black Africa. Our lecturer gave away all his books saying he doesn’t plan to read any more academic works. Academia was a job to him. He aimed to let go of power in all his teaching using a Socratic type of method, believing in debate, discussion, searching rather than authority and dogma. I miss that.
May 8, 2024
The Man of the People, read at the time of its publication as a prophetic take on Nigeria postcolonial politics, can also be read as a book about populism.
The story centers around a young schoolteacher who is befriended by the Minister of culture in an unnamed African country. Although vaguely principled in the beginning, the schoolteacher is seduced by the trappings of power and because of this he becomes unable to distinguish between personal and political, between public and private. He makes the fateful decision to challenge the political authority of the Minister, his former friend. The Man of the People, that is the Minister himself is a somewhat bigger than life figure. A charismatic man who seduces and frightens in equal measure. There is something of the populist in him, an appeal to an undefined “populus”, the use of emotions to manipulate a crowd, and a kind of baser appeal to emotions (which I will say is not a necessary component of populism).
As personal friendships, enmities, and family relationships intermingle with politics, the book draws to a violent conclusion. Surprisingly, our intrepid schoolteacher survives and, one fears, even strives in the new political setting he helped create. I don’t know about Revolution, but change does eat its young.
The story centers around a young schoolteacher who is befriended by the Minister of culture in an unnamed African country. Although vaguely principled in the beginning, the schoolteacher is seduced by the trappings of power and because of this he becomes unable to distinguish between personal and political, between public and private. He makes the fateful decision to challenge the political authority of the Minister, his former friend. The Man of the People, that is the Minister himself is a somewhat bigger than life figure. A charismatic man who seduces and frightens in equal measure. There is something of the populist in him, an appeal to an undefined “populus”, the use of emotions to manipulate a crowd, and a kind of baser appeal to emotions (which I will say is not a necessary component of populism).
As personal friendships, enmities, and family relationships intermingle with politics, the book draws to a violent conclusion. Surprisingly, our intrepid schoolteacher survives and, one fears, even strives in the new political setting he helped create. I don’t know about Revolution, but change does eat its young.
June 13, 2021
I enjoyed this.
April 19, 2008
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.
November 4, 2012
A friend described this book to me as being the best way to explain why Africa is the way it is... As well as being a very good read, the complexities of African politics are clear here, the tensions of post colonialism, the ambition and criticism of government, and the corruption. Very interesting.
September 3, 2014
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.
December 9, 2022
کتاب نه بد بود نه خوب و احتمالا در زمان خودش اثر خیلی مهمی بوده و جریانساز بوده. اما الان خیلی لطفی نداشت برای من که توی اون محیط نبودم؛ البته چون دارم در شرایط هولناک و غیرقابل تصوری زندگی میکنم، همچین فساد سیستماتیکی برای من عجیب نیست.
داستان در یه شهر خیالی در آفریقا سپری میشه که در مورد یه معلم هست که بعد وزیر میشه به ناحق و آدم خیلی فاسد و خبیثی هستش. توی یه بازدید شاگر قدیمی خودش رو که الان معلم شده رو میبینه و تصمیم میگیره برای تحصیل و کار کمکش کنه. اون شخص بعد مدتی متوجه ذات ناپاک وزیر و کل سیستم فاسد میشه و تصمیم میگیره باهاش مبارزه کنه و علیهاش کارهایی بکنه.
در مورد این کتاب خوندم که دوست آچبه بهش میگه تو شبیه یه پیامبر هستی چون هر چی توی کتاب گفتی به حقیقت پیوسته به جز کودتای نظامی!
کودتای نظامیای آخر کتاب تعریف میشه بعد از مدتی رخ میده و در پی اون آچبه متهم میشه به برنامهریزی برای کودتا :|
داستان در یه شهر خیالی در آفریقا سپری میشه که در مورد یه معلم هست که بعد وزیر میشه به ناحق و آدم خیلی فاسد و خبیثی هستش. توی یه بازدید شاگر قدیمی خودش رو که الان معلم شده رو میبینه و تصمیم میگیره برای تحصیل و کار کمکش کنه. اون شخص بعد مدتی متوجه ذات ناپاک وزیر و کل سیستم فاسد میشه و تصمیم میگیره باهاش مبارزه کنه و علیهاش کارهایی بکنه.
در مورد این کتاب خوندم که دوست آچبه بهش میگه تو شبیه یه پیامبر هستی چون هر چی توی کتاب گفتی به حقیقت پیوسته به جز کودتای نظامی!
کودتای نظامیای آخر کتاب تعریف میشه بعد از مدتی رخ میده و در پی اون آچبه متهم میشه به برنامهریزی برای کودتا :|
May 25, 2022
অবাক হতেই হবে। পড়ছি বিশ্বের আরেক প্রান্তের দেশ নাইজেরিয়ার গল্প অথচ বারবার মনে পড়বে নিজের দেশের কথা। "জননেতা" কে সার্থক রাজনৈতিক স্যাটায়ার বলা যায়।সদ্য স্বাধীন দেশ,শাসকের দুর্নীতি, নতুন দলের উত্থান, অনিয়ম, সুবিধাভোগীদের বিজয়, জনগণের প্রতিবাদহীনতা- সব কেমন চেনা চেনা লাগছে না?
হা হা হি হি করে হাসার বেশকিছু মুহূর্ত রয়েছে বইতে।রাজনৈতিক ডামাডোলের মধ্যেও রয়েছে একটা অন্যরকম প্রেমের গল্পও। সব মিলিয়ে উপভোগ্য ও অন্তর্দৃষ্টিসম্পন্ন লেখা "জননেতা।" তবে পাঠক "থিংস ফল এপার্ট" জাতীয় কিছু আশা করলে হতাশ হবেন।
হা হা হি হি করে হাসার বেশকিছু মুহূর্ত রয়েছে বইতে।রাজনৈতিক ডামাডোলের মধ্যেও রয়েছে একটা অন্যরকম প্রেমের গল্পও। সব মিলিয়ে উপভোগ্য ও অন্তর্দৃষ্টিসম্পন্ন লেখা "জননেতা।" তবে পাঠক "থিংস ফল এপার্ট" জাতীয় কিছু আশা করলে হতাশ হবেন।
June 22, 2022
~Humorous. Lively. Entertaining. Great social commentary. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Chinua Achebe was made for the first person writing style; he also does it perfectly in the short story “Uncle Ben’s Choice”.
~It’s difficult to critic the first person writing style because am I critical of the narrator, or Achebe? Example, the way the women are described is so 🤢, even the narrator who’s so self aware doesn’t notice or correct himself. Meaning: was this error made on purpose or is this just another case of the men writing women.
~Nevertheless, it’s hilariously written, I laughed so much.
😂
~Chinua Achebe was made for the first person writing style; he also does it perfectly in the short story “Uncle Ben’s Choice”.
~It’s difficult to critic the first person writing style because am I critical of the narrator, or Achebe? Example, the way the women are described is so 🤢, even the narrator who’s so self aware doesn’t notice or correct himself. Meaning: was this error made on purpose or is this just another case of the men writing women.
~Nevertheless, it’s hilariously written, I laughed so much.
😂
December 22, 2019
I loved everything about this book, full of african politics drama and alot of humor.
November 4, 2022
سیاست در گام نخست برخاستن فردی از میان دیگران است با پذیرفتن بهایی که شاید هر کسی مایل به قبول آن نباشد،حال که برخاسته است می کوشد دیگران را به اعتبار بخشی تصمیمش وادارد..و سپس آنگاه که به قدرت رسید آنچنان در او ذوب میگردد که خود و قدرت را یکی و از آن و متعلق به خود می داند..چشمه قدرت همچو شراب سیری ناپذیری وجود سیاست مداران را در طی تاریخ پر می کند..شرابی که تنها تشنگی می افزاید..آن زمان است که بار دیگر سیاست مدار برخاسته به جماعتی که نشستن را گزیده اند باز می گردد می کوشد تا به درون کالبد مرده گذشته خویش خزد تا که شاید بتواند آثار شراب قدرت را..که همانند نمایair برونکوگرام برونشکتازی اثری دیرپا از لحظات ناپیدای زندگی فرد می دهد،لحظه ای پنهان کند..لحظه ای دوباره مردمی شود..برای جلب شور مردمی که سکر شراب قدرتش همانا حکومت بر آنان است...
انسان باید که تفکر کند..در عدالت..درحقیقت..در ارزش هایی که اجتماع بر آن بنیاد نهاده شده تا که آگاه شود که حقیقت زندگی در پس دیواری به بلندای کلمات و تبلیغات و ظواهر چیست و انتخاب او،اگر واقعا انتخابی می تواند داشته باشد..چگونه مسیر زندگی کوتاه او را تغییر خواهد داد.
تفکر در جوامعی که ریا اندود شده اند..در میان سکوت و بی تفاوتی دیگران اهمیتی فراتر می یابد..اهمیت همان یک لحظه ی آگاهی،آن زمان که پرده ها از جلوی چشمانمان فرو می افتد..پرده هایی که با میخ های سنت و فریب برپا داشته شده اند،آن ها را تنها تفکر و بینش می تواند برافکند..
انسانی که تصویر حقیقت پس از فروافتادن پرده ها را تجربه کند،همانند لحظه ای که پس از صعود از صخره ای بلند،نقاشی جلوه گر افق،با تمام رنگ های شگفتش چشمانمان را خیره می کند.تنها اوست که درنور زیسته،زمانی که همه را تاریکی فرا گرفته است..
انسان باید که تفکر کند..در عدالت..درحقیقت..در ارزش هایی که اجتماع بر آن بنیاد نهاده شده تا که آگاه شود که حقیقت زندگی در پس دیواری به بلندای کلمات و تبلیغات و ظواهر چیست و انتخاب او،اگر واقعا انتخابی می تواند داشته باشد..چگونه مسیر زندگی کوتاه او را تغییر خواهد داد.
تفکر در جوامعی که ریا اندود شده اند..در میان سکوت و بی تفاوتی دیگران اهمیتی فراتر می یابد..اهمیت همان یک لحظه ی آگاهی،آن زمان که پرده ها از جلوی چشمانمان فرو می افتد..پرده هایی که با میخ های سنت و فریب برپا داشته شده اند،آن ها را تنها تفکر و بینش می تواند برافکند..
انسانی که تصویر حقیقت پس از فروافتادن پرده ها را تجربه کند،همانند لحظه ای که پس از صعود از صخره ای بلند،نقاشی جلوه گر افق،با تمام رنگ های شگفتش چشمانمان را خیره می کند.تنها اوست که درنور زیسته،زمانی که همه را تاریکی فرا گرفته است..
August 25, 2022
Halk Adamı'nın dili ağır olmasa da sindire sindire okumakta fayda var bence. 60'ların sonunda yazılmış olsa da günümüzde de hala yaşanan,yaşanabilmesi olası olaylar mevcut kitapta. Achebe'den okuduğum ilk romandı, özellikle üçlemesini de okumak isterim.
November 24, 2011
I think what I like best about Achebe's writing is his use of African proverbs to reinforce many of the themes of his novels - especially since Western / European proverbs have been overdone to death in literature. I particularly like the narrator's voice in this novel - struggling politically yet still very much in touch with the everyday life of love and family.
February 4, 2013
Ladies and gentlemen...a reread coming up with a truer review! I have given it 3 stars because I read it in school and the fact that I read it against my will. :D
September 17, 2012
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?
- 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 by. 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.
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?
- 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 by. 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.
June 22, 2025
48th book read in 2025
As I read through My Big Fat Reading Project, I have included Nigerian author Chinua Achebe’s amazing African Trilogy, in which he chronicles the culture clash of his people with British colonizers.
1. Things Fall Apart, 1958: A strong but violent Nigerian man loses his way when the white man comes.
2. No Longer at Ease, 1960: Set in the 1950s. A bright boy receives a scholarship from his village and goes to university in England, returns to become a civil servant in Lagos, then loses his certainty and surrenders his tribal values as he tries to assimilate.
3. Arrow of God, 1964: A tale about the clash between the Chief Priest of the god of six villages and a British officer. Whose god is more powerful?
These three books showed the tensions and troubles that arose in Nigeria between native culture and the colonizers’ culture.
In A Man of the People, 1966, Nigeria has achieved independence from the British but is not prepared for self-government. Corruption abounds while young Nigerians try to improve the democracy they are supposed to be creating. Once again old tribal ways creep in as leaders chase prosperity and power at the expense of their people.
The most popular politician falls into unscrupulous lusts and greed while the idealistic main character discovers that he too is lured by such temptations.
By means of wonderfully drawn characters and expert storytelling, Achebe shows these conflicts as they play out in families, how the women are often as oppressed as ever, and how power corrupts even the most forward looking and smartest people.
He is considered the most influential author of modern African literature. He has certainly made me aware of the reasons for the struggles of African nations to create stable societies that can exist in these global times. Once again, I have learned more truth from fiction than I find in the news.
As I read through My Big Fat Reading Project, I have included Nigerian author Chinua Achebe’s amazing African Trilogy, in which he chronicles the culture clash of his people with British colonizers.
1. Things Fall Apart, 1958: A strong but violent Nigerian man loses his way when the white man comes.
2. No Longer at Ease, 1960: Set in the 1950s. A bright boy receives a scholarship from his village and goes to university in England, returns to become a civil servant in Lagos, then loses his certainty and surrenders his tribal values as he tries to assimilate.
3. Arrow of God, 1964: A tale about the clash between the Chief Priest of the god of six villages and a British officer. Whose god is more powerful?
These three books showed the tensions and troubles that arose in Nigeria between native culture and the colonizers’ culture.
In A Man of the People, 1966, Nigeria has achieved independence from the British but is not prepared for self-government. Corruption abounds while young Nigerians try to improve the democracy they are supposed to be creating. Once again old tribal ways creep in as leaders chase prosperity and power at the expense of their people.
The most popular politician falls into unscrupulous lusts and greed while the idealistic main character discovers that he too is lured by such temptations.
By means of wonderfully drawn characters and expert storytelling, Achebe shows these conflicts as they play out in families, how the women are often as oppressed as ever, and how power corrupts even the most forward looking and smartest people.
He is considered the most influential author of modern African literature. He has certainly made me aware of the reasons for the struggles of African nations to create stable societies that can exist in these global times. Once again, I have learned more truth from fiction than I find in the news.
July 8, 2025
калі я запушчу ўласнае выдавецтва, будуць знакі – я адразу перакладу на беларускую мову і выдам "Чалавека з народа" Чынуа Ачэбе
не проста раман пра Нігерыю, а тэкст, які тлумачыць, як улада з'ядае чалавека, як харызматычны палітык ператвараецца ў карупцыянера, як пратэст ператвараецца ў маўчанне. Усё гэта напісана з такім трывожным спакоем, што робіцца няёмка за сваё даверлівае сэрца, за наіўную веру ў маладую дэмакратыю і чарговую стаўку на адукаванасць ды інтэлект супраць гвалту.
"Чалавек з народа" напісаны ў момант, калі Нігерыя толькі-толькі стала незалежнай: каланіялізм яшчэ не сцёрся са сцен, дэмакратычныя інстытуты маладыя як зялёны гарошак у ліпені. У рамане відаць, як палітыкі, якія яшчэ нядаўна выступалі супраць прыгнёту, хутка пераўтвараюцца ў тых, каго самі ненавідзелі. І яшчэ больш рэзка — тое, як народ назірае за гэтым моўчкі: людзі бачаць карупцыю, скатыванне ў аўтарытарныя практыкі, гвалт супраць іншадумства і адварочваюцца. Ачэбе піша пра гэтае народнае маўчанне як пра саўдзел.
не проста раман пра Нігерыю, а тэкст, які тлумачыць, як улада з'ядае чалавека, як харызматычны палітык ператвараецца ў карупцыянера, як пратэст ператвараецца ў маўчанне. Усё гэта напісана з такім трывожным спакоем, што робіцца няёмка за сваё даверлівае сэрца, за наіўную веру ў маладую дэмакратыю і чарговую стаўку на адукаванасць ды інтэлект супраць гвалту.
"Чалавек з народа" напісаны ў момант, калі Нігерыя толькі-толькі стала незалежнай: каланіялізм яшчэ не сцёрся са сцен, дэмакратычныя інстытуты маладыя як зялёны гарошак у ліпені. У рамане відаць, як палітыкі, якія яшчэ нядаўна выступалі супраць прыгнёту, хутка пераўтвараюцца ў тых, каго самі ненавідзелі. І яшчэ больш рэзка — тое, як народ назірае за гэтым моўчкі: людзі бачаць карупцыю, скатыванне ў аўтарытарныя практыкі, гвалт супраць іншадумства і адварочваюцца. Ачэбе піша пра гэтае народнае маўчанне як пра саўдзел.
February 6, 2022
Very rich language. It was sometimes difficult to read the African English, but the proverbs that were being used were very colourful. Love the story as well. I’m always in for a good revenge story+underdog story. I’m not saying the story ends well from that perspective, but that only makes it more realistic I suppose. Also goes to show how power corrupts people. That’s something I think about more often nowadays. It makes you wonder if it’s not better to get rid of any grotesque ambitions and just focus on the health, love and joy of the people around you. But I guess that’s not how humans work.
October 8, 2022
This is the second book I read by Achebe, the father of African literature.
The story is about the conflict between our narrator, Odili, and his ex-teacher/current prime minister, Nanga. It happens on a professional and a personal level over their political careers and love interests. The book handles themes of politics, post-colonialism (without the "European influence" like we saw in "Things Fall Apart" before it, for example), corruption, and to a lesser degree, love, the role of women in society and more. The passage which I think gives a good idea about the themes primarly dealt with in the book is:
"A man who has just come in from the rain and dried his body and put on dry clothes is more reluctant to go out again than another who has been indoors all the time."
This refers to the fact that having a lot of power can be dangerous once one adapts to it. It wasn't mentioned anywhere in the novel that the setting was Nigeria but one can draw a lot of parallels between its events and what was happening in the country at the time. It's a satire about how unrestrained corruption dominated Nigeria.
One of my favorite things about the entire book is the "culture shocks" or the parts in which the author uses a charcater's ignorance to explain to the reader something about the culture of this region while giving the reader who is, in fact, familiar with it, something to relate to. He says about a critic that he commited a crime "because he transferred to an alien culture the same meanings and interpretations that his own people attach to certain gestures and facial expression." And this is a very dangerous thing that one has to be careful of. And this is why I love to read from diverse authors who write about diverse settings.
Another very interesting aspect in Achebe's work for me is the language he uses. Although he writes in English, he manages to appropriate it to the culture and the story he is telling. He doesn't just translates things, but interprets entire proverbs and cultural aspects which didn't have an equivalent way of expressign or explaining them in English before and thus, enriching the language and I think that's really impressive. He also made use of pidgin English which according to him, "reveals a close correlation to the sentiments of the common man and can be used to reflect serious as well as comic considerations." (from The Writing of Chinua Achebe, A Commentary by G. D. Killam).
Achebe's work is a perfect introduction to African literature. I'd probably recommend reading his four novels in the order they were published in rather than jumping from 1 to 4 like I did, since I learned in the book I mentioned in the previous paragraph that they have a logic to them, even though they're standalones. For example, "Things Fall Apart" is set at the beginning of the colonial era in the country and the arrival of missionaries whereas the fourth and last novel, which is this one, is set in a post-colonial period when Nigeria was completely "inependent".
Thanks for reading and I hope you'll enjoy this book as much as I did. :)
The story is about the conflict between our narrator, Odili, and his ex-teacher/current prime minister, Nanga. It happens on a professional and a personal level over their political careers and love interests. The book handles themes of politics, post-colonialism (without the "European influence" like we saw in "Things Fall Apart" before it, for example), corruption, and to a lesser degree, love, the role of women in society and more. The passage which I think gives a good idea about the themes primarly dealt with in the book is:
"A man who has just come in from the rain and dried his body and put on dry clothes is more reluctant to go out again than another who has been indoors all the time."
This refers to the fact that having a lot of power can be dangerous once one adapts to it. It wasn't mentioned anywhere in the novel that the setting was Nigeria but one can draw a lot of parallels between its events and what was happening in the country at the time. It's a satire about how unrestrained corruption dominated Nigeria.
One of my favorite things about the entire book is the "culture shocks" or the parts in which the author uses a charcater's ignorance to explain to the reader something about the culture of this region while giving the reader who is, in fact, familiar with it, something to relate to. He says about a critic that he commited a crime "because he transferred to an alien culture the same meanings and interpretations that his own people attach to certain gestures and facial expression." And this is a very dangerous thing that one has to be careful of. And this is why I love to read from diverse authors who write about diverse settings.
Another very interesting aspect in Achebe's work for me is the language he uses. Although he writes in English, he manages to appropriate it to the culture and the story he is telling. He doesn't just translates things, but interprets entire proverbs and cultural aspects which didn't have an equivalent way of expressign or explaining them in English before and thus, enriching the language and I think that's really impressive. He also made use of pidgin English which according to him, "reveals a close correlation to the sentiments of the common man and can be used to reflect serious as well as comic considerations." (from The Writing of Chinua Achebe, A Commentary by G. D. Killam).
Achebe's work is a perfect introduction to African literature. I'd probably recommend reading his four novels in the order they were published in rather than jumping from 1 to 4 like I did, since I learned in the book I mentioned in the previous paragraph that they have a logic to them, even though they're standalones. For example, "Things Fall Apart" is set at the beginning of the colonial era in the country and the arrival of missionaries whereas the fourth and last novel, which is this one, is set in a post-colonial period when Nigeria was completely "inependent".
Thanks for reading and I hope you'll enjoy this book as much as I did. :)
May 20, 2019
Though cynical, this book is an excellent, excellent read. It is a prime example of how great literary minds can use the personal to explore the political and its analysis of regime collapse is as compelling as contemporary political science. For any political idealist, it is easy to identify with Odili and his strict sense of moral right and wrong, as well as the disdain he holds for his country's leadership. The book's portrayal of divisions between politicians, intellectuals, and the people, though rooted in the post-colonial African context, is broadly applicable. As for the writing itself, I consider this the most mature prose of any Achebe novel I've read. He does not hold back, shifting seamlessly between different registers of English - formal versus pidgin - and his ability to capture his lead characters' inner psyches is on full display. A pleasurable but challenging read. My one takeaway is that Achebe's cynicism leads him to portray the general public as way too susceptible to demagoguery. While they are clearly under Nanga's spell, Achebe is a little unfair to democracy, which makes it easy to conclude that politics is a hopeless business, even if this isn't the message Achebe is trying to convey.
May 27, 2019
I loved ‘Things Fall Apart’ but ‘A Man of the People’ didn’t quite do it for me in the same way.
It had the same forensic attention to detail and the same peculiar feat of being both ironically detached but also somehow fully engaged but didn’t pull me quite so hard, perhaps I couldn’t get on board with Odili.
Odili feels that politics in recently liberated Nigeria should be transparent and free of corruption. Everyone else feels that corruption is to be expected, everyone is trying to get as much of the pie for them and their people and there are no real hard feelings to those who manage to get it. Despite being idealistic, he quickly finds himself enamoured with Chief Nanga, as much as he is prepared to (internally) mock him. As much as he finds it a joke that the culture minister is almost illiterate, as much as he disliked the man for his contribution towards kicking out good ministers, and as much as he thinks he is crass - he also admires him. Odili is quickly sucked into the luxury, the respect, the charisma and the easy sexual pickings.
When Odili is invited to Nanga’s house, he goes principally to get the means to take a scholarship in Europe, but really because it’s a perfect place to meet up with his friend-with-benefits. It’s not the hypocrisy or corruption that radicalises him, it’s Chief Nanga shtupping his fancy bit. He doesn’t even stop to find out how consenting it was, he just leaves and joins a new political party.
As much as he tells himself that the new party are different, and he is trying to enter government for noble reasons, it’s really led by pride and revenge. He wants Nanga’s job and he wants Nanga’s second wife. His reasons for going into politics are just as grubby as everyone else’s although he doesn’t realise it. The fact that his party aren’t as well funded and don’t have roots in the community lead him to be quickly beaten up and left in hospital.
The fact that a military coup displaces Nanga while Odili is in hospital means that it is another book with a sudden shift to the left at the ending - is this a feature of Achebe’s work?
While I did enjoy this book and I was amused(ish) and disgusted(esque) at the corruption and hypocrisy, it doesn’t have quite the same mythic quality of the other book. I also found the Pidgin extremely difficult to read and felt that although I was getting the gist of what the characters were saying, I was probably missing out on the best jokes.
It had the same forensic attention to detail and the same peculiar feat of being both ironically detached but also somehow fully engaged but didn’t pull me quite so hard, perhaps I couldn’t get on board with Odili.
Odili feels that politics in recently liberated Nigeria should be transparent and free of corruption. Everyone else feels that corruption is to be expected, everyone is trying to get as much of the pie for them and their people and there are no real hard feelings to those who manage to get it. Despite being idealistic, he quickly finds himself enamoured with Chief Nanga, as much as he is prepared to (internally) mock him. As much as he finds it a joke that the culture minister is almost illiterate, as much as he disliked the man for his contribution towards kicking out good ministers, and as much as he thinks he is crass - he also admires him. Odili is quickly sucked into the luxury, the respect, the charisma and the easy sexual pickings.
When Odili is invited to Nanga’s house, he goes principally to get the means to take a scholarship in Europe, but really because it’s a perfect place to meet up with his friend-with-benefits. It’s not the hypocrisy or corruption that radicalises him, it’s Chief Nanga shtupping his fancy bit. He doesn’t even stop to find out how consenting it was, he just leaves and joins a new political party.
As much as he tells himself that the new party are different, and he is trying to enter government for noble reasons, it’s really led by pride and revenge. He wants Nanga’s job and he wants Nanga’s second wife. His reasons for going into politics are just as grubby as everyone else’s although he doesn’t realise it. The fact that his party aren’t as well funded and don’t have roots in the community lead him to be quickly beaten up and left in hospital.
The fact that a military coup displaces Nanga while Odili is in hospital means that it is another book with a sudden shift to the left at the ending - is this a feature of Achebe’s work?
While I did enjoy this book and I was amused(ish) and disgusted(esque) at the corruption and hypocrisy, it doesn’t have quite the same mythic quality of the other book. I also found the Pidgin extremely difficult to read and felt that although I was getting the gist of what the characters were saying, I was probably missing out on the best jokes.
May 25, 2016
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.
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.
September 13, 2018
The similarities in the politics in Nigeria and Egypt are striking and staggering. The corruption of government representatives and how widely accepted in society as if it's almost logical and wise, licking those powerful people's shoes, glorifying them, protecting them. The thuggery of the police as if it just another "legal" street gang or mafia. Using 'dealing with Europe and America' to scandalize you political opponents, while in fact dealing with them yourself publicly. Hating the white intellectuals, but not hating their money or "their aids". Oh, and that good one, the politics of the white man, supporting two entirely opposite parties. The military abolishing civilian system and declaring a military system. I don't want to go on more, but there's more. Every single aspect mentioned in the book about the political life is exactly identical but slightly worse in Egypt, specially after the last coup.
If we divided the book into five parts. The 2nd the 3rd were utterly long, boring, and almost irrelevant. The book isn't written beautifully, it was more like a journalistic narrative, but not at all a work of art. I also didn't like Odili at all. He was stupid, selfish, narrow and difficult minded, and stubborn. No one is supposed to run for an election because the minister sleeps with the girl like to occasionally sleep with. (then calling her a slut, while you yourself a whore.) He also bugged me when he said to Edna, because she's marrying young "what are you? a mooslim?" but she's marrying young and she is NOT a mooooslim, so why offending Islam?
If we divided the book into five parts. The 2nd the 3rd were utterly long, boring, and almost irrelevant. The book isn't written beautifully, it was more like a journalistic narrative, but not at all a work of art. I also didn't like Odili at all. He was stupid, selfish, narrow and difficult minded, and stubborn. No one is supposed to run for an election because the minister sleeps with the girl like to occasionally sleep with. (then calling her a slut, while you yourself a whore.) He also bugged me when he said to Edna, because she's marrying young "what are you? a mooslim?" but she's marrying young and she is NOT a mooooslim, so why offending Islam?
August 17, 2025
(1 March, 2021)
Good, not great, 'fiction' about how corrupt government officials are crap and how people of all walks of life can be duped by them. The funny thing is the protagonist, Odili Samalu, is also crap - but of a slightly different kind. He is a lout with a small mind who uses people as a means to an end. This satire could have been better with a more congenial main character but Achebe makes his point nonetheless.
The sad reality of politics in general, and here I include so-called 'democracies' too, is that power corrupts. This is so whether you are white (which is more like a light pink), black (which is not really black), brown (with some brown darker than black but we don't call it that), purple or whatever the fuck one would like to label and separate what is, in reality, the human species (fuck, so simple!).
Change the setting to the USSA (the extra 's' is for 'shitty') and the year to 2021 and it would be the same story, thanks to the Capitol Hill riots and their clown president.
The ending is priceless!
Good, not great, 'fiction' about how corrupt government officials are crap and how people of all walks of life can be duped by them. The funny thing is the protagonist, Odili Samalu, is also crap - but of a slightly different kind. He is a lout with a small mind who uses people as a means to an end. This satire could have been better with a more congenial main character but Achebe makes his point nonetheless.
The sad reality of politics in general, and here I include so-called 'democracies' too, is that power corrupts. This is so whether you are white (which is more like a light pink), black (which is not really black), brown (with some brown darker than black but we don't call it that), purple or whatever the fuck one would like to label and separate what is, in reality, the human species (fuck, so simple!).
Change the setting to the USSA (the extra 's' is for 'shitty') and the year to 2021 and it would be the same story, thanks to the Capitol Hill riots and their clown president.
The ending is priceless!
August 8, 2019
I usually don't seek out books about politics, so I was surprised that this book kept my attention so well. The reader follows a flawed narrator Odili on his journey into the complicated world of post-independence politics in an unnamed African country. Elements of the book remind me of The Great Gatsby, specifically the navigation of high society through the eyes of an often cynical and judgemental character. The book is full of ironic moments that Achebe uses to highlight hypocrisy. If you are interested in West African history or politics, I'd definitely recommend this book.
February 13, 2019
A very funny, brilliant book - written by an author at the peak of his powers. Hon Nanga - most dishonourable in many ways; and the younger Odili, a somewhat confused even vindictive idealist - both combine to make this an unforgettable work. Like his No longer at ease, the book is concerned with a modern (Nigerian?) city as even the Pidgin and general language would show. It also highlights the prophetic vision of Achebe's writing. A book one can read again and again.
February 13, 2024
As a political satire, this book achieves the goal. However I failed to connect with Odili as the main character. He was young, foolish, and rash, and at times I was baffled by the decisions he made. I also wished the story focused more on the political story-line instead of detailing Odili’s efforts for romantic conquest. I do like Chinua Achebe’s other work but this story felt flat for me.
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