Review: Arrow of God by Chinua Achebe
Title: Arrow of God
Author: Achebe, Chinua
Length: 230 pages
Genre: Fiction, International / General
Publisher / Year: Anchor Canada / 2010
Original Published in: 1964
Source: Purchased in 2010.
Rating: 5/5
Why I Read It: Achebe is pretty much one of the best authors out there, just saying.
Date Read: 09/02/11
I’ve only read a few of Achebe’s vast list of published works but this would rank up there as my favorite fiction read by him so far. I can see why it is the one that he has re-read the most (as he says in the introduction). Although this is the third in his famous African Trilogy (Things Fall Apart and No Longer at Ease being the first two) I find it the best – and if I were to fit it in chronologically I think it would fit better as the second book.
This book follows Ezuela, the Chief Priest in Umuaro and the collection of six villages which work together as one. He is trying to maintain the practices they have always followed and being challenged by a minor priest and richer man in one of the other villages. He is walking a fine line between being friends with the white man and between upholding the cultures of the village – and this results in an interesting chain of events as described in this novel!
The book tackles the struggle between tradition and change from both the side of the Nigerians and of the British colonial administration. Even the British administrators on the ground in the small area are shown as having thoughts against the policies, of thinking the policies are terrible and contribute to and create problems rather than solving them. Captain Winterbottom says on page 59:
This was what British administration was doing among the Ibos, making a dozen mushroom kings grow where there was none before.
In this regard I found the book a fresh change – it isn’t always that you see those in the administration admitting how terrible their policies are! The disconnect that was shown between those on the ground and head offices was interesting and showed how policies end up becoming corrupted and useless, and also why more and more problems were created. This isn’t to say that colonialization would or could have been better with better policies, but just that even among the side in the clear wrong there is bad and there is worse, and that even when trying to do something “good” it was invariably done badly.
The biggest theme that I saw running through the book on both sides of the story was that of misunderstanding. Both the residents of Umuaro and the British had their own customs and neither understood or cared to learn about the other. This resulted in many arguments where none was necessary – for example with things as simple as greetings. Both cultures have their own formula and each thinks the other is rude. Ezuela is punished by the British for doing what, if they knew the whole story, should make him lauded (i.e. actually talking to his people and getting their opinion), but instead he is punished for being ‘rude’.
Ezuela was a truly fascinating character. In one sense he is modest and claims he does nothing on his own, he is just the mouthpiece or arrow of the god. In another he is proud and haughty and needs to punish those around him who don’t listen to him. I loved following his actions and seeing where his scheming (if it could be called that) would take him next. In one sense I expected what his answer would be to the British but in another I was still surprised. From page 175:
It might be thought foolish for a man to spit out a morsel which fortune had placed in his mouth but in certain circumstances such a man compelled respect.
His real fault, I felt, was in relying too much on the fact that half of his thoughts were supposed to be Ulu’s. In this way he could pretend that everything that he did had higher motives and that it wasn’t really his decision. He allows his role as Chief Priest to take over more significance than perhaps it should have, allowing it to be the explanation for things that he did without any higher authority behind it.
Overall, a fascinating book that I will certainly be reading again. If you read only one book by Achebe I would recommend this one – though I reserve the right to amend that statement after reading more of his works!
I haven’t read any Achebe and I realize that this needs to change immediately. It sounds intriguing especially that misunderstanding is a common theme – that can be the most frustrating and engaging part for the reader, and pulls you into the story. I really need to change my upcoming TBR and perhaps include Achebe in it – thanks
It really does need to change Coffee and a Book Chick
I definitely recommend this book above his others. They are all fantastic, but this has been my favorite so far.
While I really loved Things Fall Apart, it took 2/3rds of the book for me to get to that part so I’ve been scared to try something else by him.
Oh Amanda you really must try more
Or at least consider it!
I have as it stands read four books from Achebe, including this. I still have Anthills of the Savannah on the TBR. And I would agree with you that Arrow of God is his best so far. I was talking with Kinna and I asked her about her best Achebe book and she promptly mentioned this. It is that good and the contrast well laid out.
Great to hear that I am not alone in loving this above his other works Nana. We all have good taste it seems
I am really looking forward to reading more by him.
It’s interesting that you note that this book seems like it would fit in better as a second book rather than the way it’s been chronologically presented, and it makes me think that perhaps this book might even be a great standalone read. Thanks for sharing your insight with us, Amy. You have made me want to seek this book out.
Definitely a great standalone read zibilee. The trilogy is more books that can go together as themes of colonialism and postcolonialism rather than being the same characters or depending on the others, if that makes sense. I hope you do check this one out and enjoy it.
Okay, I think I’m going to have to borrow one of Achebe’s books from you this summer.
YES Colleen! You really should!
Great book by all standards. I am happy you enjoyed it.
Thanks Geosi, what would your favorite be by Achebe to date?
I REALLY need to read something by this author!
Yes, yes you do laughingstars66
Achebe is on my must read list for this year. I plan to start at the beginning of the trilogy and I can’t wait!
Oh I really can’t wait to hear your thoughts Ana. I do hope you make it through all three of the trilogy!
Thank you, Amy. This IS Achebe’s best book by far. It irritates me that Things Fall Apart is more known and more read than Arrow of God. I think I read somewhere that Achebe considers Arrow… is best work.
Yes, I am irritated by that after having read it as well Kinna! In the short preface to my edition Achebe says that he always evades a clear answer when people ask him to name his favorite (he likens it to choosing a favorite child) but says that:
For Arrow of God that peculiar quality may lie in the fact that it is the novel which I am most likely to be caught sitting down to read again.
I think that is pretty high praise from him!
Arrow of God is widely considered Achebe’s true ” Magnum Opus.” I say ‘true,’ because one can not take away the explosive success of his first novel Things Fall Apart, which many often forget, re-defined what it means to talk about World Literature that includes Africa. There was a time not so long ago, when Africa thought of as a vast continent without culture, literaure or civilization. With one swell swoop, Achebe demolished that thinking forever, and the world has never been the same. The fact that Things Fall Apart has been translated into over 50 languages and counting is also a testament to its influence and impact .Achebe’s work “Brought Africa to the world” according to Nelson Mandela to take part in what Nadine Gordimer calls ‘a literary conversation on the world stage.’ Achebe literally smashed right into the cannon with Things Fall Apart.
Having said that, for a more modern take on African Affairs read the following by Achebe:
A) Start With No Longer at Ease
B) A man of the People
C) Anthills of the Savannah
Then read the treatise The Trouble with Nigeria, which many Africans will tell you is still the most powerful political analysis of the challenges facing post-independent Nations.
Finally, came across a story of an impending semi-autobiography from Achebe slated for later this year (2011). Hope someone will make sure it gets into my Christmas Stocking!
I would definitely agree that it is his best if not his most successful and well known Nnena Orji. Thank you for the visit, comment, and list. I’ve read No Longer at Ease and A Man of the People but not yet Anthills of the Savannah. Can’t wait to stumble upon a copy
And yes, I will remember to reread The Trouble with Nigeria afterwards thank you!
Also, I hope that book now ends up in my stocking as well!
Having read his first three books starting with Things Fall Apart, I came to believe that if one speaks about Africa having no literature of its own will be making a grave mistake because here is Achebe to convince him. In fact Achebe is Africa’s granary for traditions, norms and values. What else should I say? He is great!
i rely need a copy of this book, where can i access it in zambia (copperbelt)