Veteran Nollywood actor Pete Edochie has described Chinua Achebe’s 1958 novel ‘Things Fall Apart’ as the greatest African book ever written, citing its portrayal of African experiences and identity.
In a recent interview with TV3, the actor said the novel’s strength lies in its ability to tell an African story from the African perspective.
According to Edochie, the book’s global recognition is largely due to its focus on African experiences rather than presenting events through the eyes of colonial powers.
He argued that the novel might not have achieved the same level of popularity if it had centred on the experiences of white people.
“The reason why ‘Things Fall Apart’ is the greatest book ever written on the African continent is because it is telling our own story,” he said.
Edochie acknowledged that other African writers have made significant efforts to tell the continent’s stories but maintained that none had matched the impact of Achebe’s work.
He encouraged African writers and creatives to draw inspiration from their cultural heritage and tell stories that reflect their identities, describing this as an important way for Africans to distinguish themselves on the global stage.
The actor also expressed concern about the influence of foreign cultures on African identity, saying Africans had sometimes allowed their own talents and traditions to be overshadowed by external influences.
Reflecting on his personal experience, Edochie recalled being called Elvis Presley and John Wayne before choosing to embrace a name that reflected his cultural roots.
“I actually enjoyed answering those names, but at some point I had to discard them and pick a name that’s culturally relevant to me. Then I went back to the root and started answering Uwadiegwu,” he said.
Achebe’s ‘Things Fall Apart’, published in 1958, tells the story of Okonkwo, a respected Igbo man whose life is disrupted by colonial rule and the arrival of Christian missionaries in his community.
The novel is widely regarded as a landmark in African literature.
