A village African from Nigeria is sent to University in England after his entire village pools their resources for his tuition. He comes back a bit angry and quite a lot determined to succeed without succumbing to the corruption and commonplace bribery which allows Nigerian society to function in a crippled way. It takes place in 1956, before the English release their territorial claims but it is a few short years away from Nigerian independence. From the information in recent stories in the news media Nigeria has not changed, so instead of being read as a low point in history that Nigeria has overcome, the story leaves one full of despair. It is a country drowning in religions and tribal affiliations and family obligations and not enough education or middle-class wealth. It also has much poverty and illiteracy, where the few resources end up in the pockets of the political elite instead of being spent on infrastructure, clean management and free education. My personal despair results from the fact that the endless problems of Nigeria in the 1950's has not been mediated but are either unchanged or worse. The main character, Obi, despairs because he is only one low-level clerk fighting an avalanche of backward customs and corrupt government.Some folk read this as the story of the simple villager who is educated out of his village class and family belief structure, but yet is not savvy enough to navigate the tricky situation of being part of the next class a step up from his old place in society. I'm familiar with this story in my own family here in America. There are many who work and educate themselves out of the blue-collar neighborhoods where half of Americans live only to discover during holiday visits they no longer can speak openly with their less educated parents and siblings (there is a HUGE difference between a simple high school education and college). Adhering to manners and customs eventually smooths things over for most; however, Nigeria, as in many countries, has a tradition of owing your tribe of thousands of members, as well as having a duty to hundreds of family members, that does NOT have a strong tradition here in America. These obligations have the tendency to drown everyone rather than save anybody from sinking. It is not a matter of pooling resources, it is the sorry condition of ONE person with ONE resource who is pressured by the hundreds of folk in his life without ANY resources to share. Ever try to split a slice of bread between 20 people? Everybody dies of starvation. This appears to be the condition of many citizens of traditional (that is, countries that seem to live by tribal or village relationship rules in existence for millennia, most of which are completely unworkable in the modern world), countries where family and religion are stronger than good federal or local government.Education PLUS a positive moral stance, AND a good supportive government, that are genuinely pursued, in my opinion, are keys to bringing societies out of the dark ages of living the same way people lived in the year 1,000 AD, Gregorian calendar. Unfortunately, the elites in those societies have no interest in uplifting their less fortunate citizens since it might mean a turnover in their position in the Rich Folk Club. I've noticed, too, that the uneducated, impoverished citizens are frequently so horrified by the science, history and literature that comes with education they sometimes kill the teachers at worst, run them out of town at best. The interesting bits in the book concern the quick look at village religious stories and how ancient African religions mix it up with the new European faiths overlaid on top (not enough of a look, though). The author includes idiomatic conversations that I found difficult to follow, but not impossible. It is a quick read, and is thought-provoking, and gives a glimpse of an unfamiliar African culture (to me) - ancient and modern. As always, the complete lack of logic of religion and the devastating harm of fundamental religious faith has me shaking my head in pain. I was surprised that animist religions are as reluctant as the more youthful "Book" faiths to permit any movement into modernity if it means giving up beliefs which unfortunately hold people back in economic security and social prosperity, because those beliefs 'feel' good emotionally for an hour.
No Longer At EaseThe plot: I would say the plot of the story was one that was rather boring, maybe just for my taste. As the whole climax of the story is ruined by starting off the story being at the trial. This leaves the events leading up to why he is at trial to be the climax’s of the story. Without spoiling too much I found the main rising action with Clara that, to be honest, was rather predictable. It seems to have been done a thousand times. This plot rather reminded me of a book I read called “Rabbit Run”. While it has a pretty loose correlation I would say that these two books run on some similar paths. The plot was however, very realistic. Nothing too extreme or improbable happened. I also did not like how the story is just one big circle, rather than a start to finish conflict. The Setting: The setting fits the story very well. For Obi being from Nigeria it only makes sense that the stories main events would mostly occur in Nigeria. Going off the England for college at part of the story also seems to make a lot of sense too. The time frame during the 1960’s just after the country obtained it’s freedom is also very fitting. During this time the country was relying heavily on those with an education to help lead the country and make it prosper. Which is why Obi goes off to college. The Characters: The characters in the story all interact pretty well with each other. But to be honest, I find it very hard to like really any of them. They all at one point or another, do something in the story to make them very dislikable. However, in the same aspect theres an event in all the characters lives that makes us willing to show some sympathy toward them. The Tone: I would go as far as to say the authors tone is pretty straightforward and plain for the most part. The author tells the story the way it is without major discourses or over interjection of adjectives and other describing words meant to bring out emotion. Maybe while this was more of a writing style by the author I would say that another tone that can be found is one that is cold and rather helpless. Since the story is about how a man is literally “No Longer At Ease” a cold tone allows for the reader to really see into and feel the main characters predicaments. This book is suited for teenagers and up probably. Its a pretty good read for really anyone. However, I wouldn't say the book is the most exciting and doesn’t ever really put you at the “edge of your seat”. I probably wouldn’t recommend the book, for what it’s worth the time spent reading this book could be used reading a more exciting novel with a clear ending and narrative.
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Reading No Longer at Ease was such a pleasure, as if I were walking barefoot, enjoying all things around me and taking in every little nuance. I truly loved the many parables scattered throughout. The book had such an easy natural flow that it put this reader quite at ease and so able to enjoy all it encompassed. Having read and delighted in Achebe’s Things Fall Apart several years ago, I was prepared for another literary joyride and I was certainly not disappointed.The story opens with the main character, a young Nigerian, on trial for bribery and then takes us back to understand how this came to be. Achebe addresses conflicts of family, society, sexuality, morality, corruption, etc. and does so with a natural flowing subtlety.Obi Okonkwo, the central character, returns to Nigeria after studying in England, funded by his townsmen. After being away, he sees his homeland with new, often critical eyes, yet fondly recites poems he wrote while a student paying homage to Lagos. Not quite consciously aware of his resentment toward the British in London and more recently in Nigeria, he also is battling the generation gap and the old ways and the new ways. He is sunk before he even begins to swim.Obi’s love interest is Clara, a Nigerian nurse he met in London and was dazzled by. Unfortunately, she is an osu, or outcast, so customs forbid a marriage to Obi. Nonetheless, she accepts an engagement ring from Obi and they believe their love will prevail. Clara is a strong and hardworking woman and is devoted to Obi, yet not so certain their love is strong enough to see them through. An unforeseen event creates even more friction for the couple who are facing financial and familial difficulties. Love doesn’t always conquer all.Isaac Okonkwo, Obi’s father at first appears hard-nosed, however, it becomes evident that his decision to become a devoted Christian, against the will of his father, shows his willingness to be true to himself, such as his son is trying to do. His religious devotion is sometimes extreme as he insists his wife and children adhere to his strict rituals. Ironically, his zealousness prevents him from helping his son and they both miss the point of his being the most appropriate person to do so.Mr. Achebe is such a marvelous talent and one whose praises I sing. I’m sure he’d put me at ease were I to join him for a little chat over a small meal. I’d love to hear about his days growing up in Nigeria and his interest in world religion and politics. Of course, I’d attempt to get some pointers on his flawless writing. Here’s an author I will definitely return to.My rating for No Longer at Ease is a 10 out of 10.
—Veronica
Chinua Achebe’s 1960 No Longer at Ease, the second volume of his African Trilogy, begins with the corruption trial of British-educated Obiajulu Okonkwo. It ends with his arrest.Obi had come back after four years of university, his education paid for by his people, to a Nigeria that was both familiar and unfamiliar, like T. S. Eliot’s Magi, who return to their kingdoms “no longer at ease…in the old dispensation.”Obi had come back, landing a job in the civil service, convinced that until the new Africa—“young men from the universities”—replaced “the old Africans at the top,” corruption would continue. He deflected bribes with a curt “I don’t think there is any point in continuing this discussion.” Obi had come back, falling in love with a woman “of doubtful ancestry,” whom family and traditional culture made it impossible to marry—from her perspective and his family’s, not his. His payment for a botched abortion, illegal at the time, a desperate bribe of his own.Obi had come back, falling deeper and deeper into debt. He broke, after losing his fiancé to tradition and his mother to death. He had sex with a young woman hoping for preferment and failed to refuse an almost insignificant monetary bribe, the reason for his arrest.Achebe’s genius in telling Obi’s story is that the present (the trial) dissolves into the past (everything leading up to it), and in spite of knowing at the beginning of the novel that Obi is on trial, we’re almost surprised at novel’s end that he’s been arrested.“Real tragedy,” says Achebe, “is never resolved. It goes on hopelessly for ever. Conventional tragedy is too easy. The hero dies and we feel a purging of the emotions. A real tragedy takes place in a corner, in an untidy spot….”Sheryl Loeffler, Writer, A Land in the Storytelling Sea
—Sheryl Loeffler
I had a really hard time going through this book. Just couldn't relate to the characters and for me this is somehow a fail. I think it's important when the reader likes the characters and feels for them. I couldn't find it here. Still, I know that Chinua Achebe is a great author and a man of thought. The style was good and sometimes there were some really interesting quotes - like all the political references and commentaries. But overall it wasn't a book I enjoyed. THE COVERI liked the cover and what it represents. After finishing his studies in England and returning home, the main character found himself entangled in all sorts of problems. And he couldn't find a way out. Even when he finally did, it added to his misery.
—Becca
