Personality of the monthArtist

Chinua Achebe

Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.

Edition · July 2026Nigeria

Their story

Chinua Achebe's 1958 novel Things Fall Apart is the most widely read book in modern African literature, with over 20 million copies sold in 57 languages. Set in pre-colonial Igboland, it challenged Western narratives about Africa and gave voice to a continent's complex humanity. Achebe taught at universities across the world and was awarded the Man Booker International Prize in 2007. He remains the founding father of African literature in English.

Highlights

  • Things Fall Apart — 20 million copies sold in 57 languages
  • Man Booker International Prize (2007)
  • Commonwealth Poetry Prize (1972)
  • Nigerian National Merit Award
  • Honorary degrees from more than 30 universities worldwide
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