Arrow of God (Paperback)

by Chinua Achebe (Author) "What have I done to this child?..." (more)
Key Phrases: kulo kulo, sacred python, one yam, Captain Winterbottom, Chief Priest, John Nwodika (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Set in the Ibo heartland of eastern Nigeria, one of Africa's best-known writers describes the conflict between old and new in its most poignant aspect: the personal struggle between father and son.

From the Publisher
Set in the Ibo heartland of eastern Nigeria, one of Africa's best-known writers describes the conflict between old and new in its most poignant aspect: the personal struggle between father and son.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Anchor (January 1, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385014805
• ISBN-13: 978-0385014809
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #114,683 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #8 in	Books > Literature & Fiction > Authors, A-Z > ( A ) > Achebe, Chinua
  #11 in	Books > Literature & Fiction > World Literature > African > West African

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Achebe Novel, March 27, 2004

By A Customer

I know that many people have read Things Fall Apart, but that is not his greatest novel. I was not forced to read any of his books. I was just curious. It exposed me to some of the greatest literature I could ever have known. Arrow of God is by far my favorite Achebe book. So if you think Things Fall Apart is good, Arrow of God is so much deeper. You get to know the characters so much better. You feel like you are part of the scene. It is more personal. You see more into different people's lives. I read a lot of books. This one is one of my favorite.

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Arrow struck true., November 30, 2000

By	Peter Opara (Toronto, ON Canada) - See all my reviews

Being Igbo, and having read almost all that Chinua Achebe has written, I can say that this is one of the best literary works I have ever come across. I read Arrow of God for the firs time when I was about fourteen and even at that age, it made a great impression on me. I have read it repeatedly over the years, and with each read, the raw reality of this book thinly veiled by what another reviewer reffered to as "polite prose" completely immersed me in Ezeulu's society, generation and struggle. This was a wonderful story written by one of the greatest story-tellers ever. I recommend this book and all of Chinua Achebe's work to any and everyone.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Chinua Masterpiece, April 20, 2006

By	Elijah Chingosho "Dr Elijah Chingosho" (Nairobi, Kenya) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

"Arrow of God" is another excellent novel by the world renowned Chinua Achebe. I have read this novel perhaps five times, having first read it decades ago. I still get thrilled and marvel at the ability of Chinua Achebe to tell a good story that keeps the reader wanting to read more. I have also read "Things Fall Apart" and "Man of the People", which are all excellent reading for those interested in African literature.

The story is set in a traditional Igbo village in Western Nigeria where the author traces how the age old traditions that had stood the test of time were systematically eroded by colonial rule. An important lesson we learn is that we need to change with the times and be adaptive to the constant changes, otherwise we perish.

This is a well written book by a remarkable author that is very interesting to read as well as enlightening.