‘Things Fall Apart’ Remains Unmatched In African Literature, Pete Edochie Says.

 

Veteran Nollywood actor, Pete Edochie, has described Chinua Achebe’s 1958 novel, Things Fall Apart, as the greatest book ever written on the African continent.

Edochie made the statement during a recent interview with TV3, where he explained that the novel’s strength lies in its portrayal of African history, culture and experiences.

According to the actor, the book might not have achieved its level of popularity if it had focused on telling the story of the colonialists rather than that of Africans.

He acknowledged that several African authors have attempted to tell the continent’s stories since the publication of Things Fall Apart, but maintained that none has matched its strength.

“The reason why ‘Things Fall Apart’ is the greatest book ever written on the African continent is because it is telling our own story.

“If it had been telling the story of the White man, it won’t be that popular. Many others have made efforts since then but not as strong as ‘Things Fall Apart’,” he said.

The veteran actor urged African writers and creatives to prioritise stories rooted in their history and cultural identity, describing this as their unique strength on the global stage.

He, however, expressed concern that Africans were allowing foreign influences to overshadow their talents and cultural heritage.

Recalling his earlier years, Edochie said he was once called Elvis Presley and John Wayne, names associated with popular foreign entertainers.

He admitted that he initially enjoyed being addressed by those names but later decided to embrace his cultural identity.

“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 added.