In a recently published NEWSWEEK's Top 100 Books of the 20th century, Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart is listed as number 14.
The list is described by Newsweek as a list of lists: a meta-list.
Compiled from over 10 lists on the best books ever, NEWSWEEK's meta-list includes over 70 novels, the Bible and motivational writing.
Comprised mainly of books originally in English and those translated into English, "the list has a distinct literary and cultural bias; it is ‘decidedly Western.'"
Since its release in 1958, Chinua Achebe's first novel, Things fall apart, has continued to make waves across the globe. With its 50th anniversary celebrations ongoing even a year after, and translations into 68 languages, Things fall apart, remains a universally-adored classic with a message for every reader.
It has inspired many including young Nigerian writers, Chimamanda Adichie and Helon Habila, amongst others worldwide.
Readers across Africa, Asia and the Americas have discovered a familiar heritage to that in the pre-colonial settlement of Umuofia in which Things fall apart is set.
Despite having many more significant works, Things fall apart has brought Achebe more mention than any other work.
In 1959, a year after it was first published, the book won the author the Margaret Wong Memorial Prize.
In 2007, Achebe was awarded the Man Booker International Prize. His acclaim within and outside the literary circle is undeniably deserved.
While many tout Achebe as a future Nobel winner, many others believe the Swedish Academy has deliberately ostracised the author over time.
Hopefully, the many accolades that have marked the author's giant strides will make up for the loss of just the one.
Related links:
Newsweek's Top 100 Books: The Meta-List
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