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Girls at War and Other Stories
Girls at War and Other Stories reveals the essence of life in Nigeria and traces twenty years in the literary career of one of this century's most acclaimed writers. In this collection of stories, Chinua Achebe takes us inside the heart and soul of a people whose pride and ideals must compete with the simple struggle to survive. Hailed by critics everywhere, Chinua Achebe's fiction re-creates with energy and authenticity the major issues of daily life in Africa.
121 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1972
127 people are currently reading
5,252 people want to read
About the author
Chinua Achebe
146 books4,047 followersWorks, including the novel
Things Fall Apart
(1958), of Nigerian writer Chinua Achebe describe traditional African life in conflict with colonial rule and westernization.
This poet and critic served as professor at Brown University. People best know and most widely read his first book in modern African literature.
Christian parents in the Igbo town of Ogidi in southeastern Nigeria reared Achebe, who excelled at school and won a scholarship for undergraduate studies. World religions and traditional African cultures fascinated him, who began stories as a university student. After graduation, he worked for the Nigerian broadcasting service and quickly moved to the metropolis of Lagos. He gained worldwide attention in the late 1950s; his later novels include No Longer at Ease (1960), Arrow of God (1964), A Man of the People (1966), and Anthills of the Savannah (1987). Achebe defended the use of English, a "language of colonizers," in African literature. In 1975, controversy focused on his lecture An Image of Africa: Racism in Conrad's "Heart of Darkness" for its criticism of Joseph Conrad as "a bloody racist."
When the region of Biafra broke away from Nigeria in 1967, Achebe, a devoted supporter of independence, served as ambassador for the people of the new nation. The war ravaged the populace, and as starvation and violence took its toll, he appealed to the people of Europe and the Americas for aid. When the Nigerian government retook the region in 1970, he involved in political parties but witnessed the corruption and elitism that duly frustration him, who quickly resigned. He lived in the United States for several years in the 1970s, and after a car accident left him partially disabled, he returned to the United States in 1990.
Novels of Achebe focus on the traditions of Igbo society, the effect of Christian influences, and the clash of values during and after the colonial era. His style relied heavily on the Igbo oral tradition, and combines straightforward narration with representations of folk stories, proverbs, and oratory. He also published a number of short stories, children's books, and essay collections. He served as the David and Marianna Fisher university professor of Africana studies at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, United States.
ollowing a brief illness, Achebe died.
This poet and critic served as professor at Brown University. People best know and most widely read his first book in modern African literature.
Christian parents in the Igbo town of Ogidi in southeastern Nigeria reared Achebe, who excelled at school and won a scholarship for undergraduate studies. World religions and traditional African cultures fascinated him, who began stories as a university student. After graduation, he worked for the Nigerian broadcasting service and quickly moved to the metropolis of Lagos. He gained worldwide attention in the late 1950s; his later novels include No Longer at Ease (1960), Arrow of God (1964), A Man of the People (1966), and Anthills of the Savannah (1987). Achebe defended the use of English, a "language of colonizers," in African literature. In 1975, controversy focused on his lecture An Image of Africa: Racism in Conrad's "Heart of Darkness" for its criticism of Joseph Conrad as "a bloody racist."
When the region of Biafra broke away from Nigeria in 1967, Achebe, a devoted supporter of independence, served as ambassador for the people of the new nation. The war ravaged the populace, and as starvation and violence took its toll, he appealed to the people of Europe and the Americas for aid. When the Nigerian government retook the region in 1970, he involved in political parties but witnessed the corruption and elitism that duly frustration him, who quickly resigned. He lived in the United States for several years in the 1970s, and after a car accident left him partially disabled, he returned to the United States in 1990.
Novels of Achebe focus on the traditions of Igbo society, the effect of Christian influences, and the clash of values during and after the colonial era. His style relied heavily on the Igbo oral tradition, and combines straightforward narration with representations of folk stories, proverbs, and oratory. He also published a number of short stories, children's books, and essay collections. He served as the David and Marianna Fisher university professor of Africana studies at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, United States.
ollowing a brief illness, Achebe died.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews
June 13, 2019
Girls are always at war in a society dominated by hostile patriarchy.
Bizarrely, actual war offers the kind of chaotic breakdown of society that gives them a moment of freedom to try out different roles for themselves before male power grabs them by the neck again and forces them back into a prisoner camp, both physically and mentally.
Chinua Achebe's short stories show various situations in which young girls and women try to figure out how to navigate in a community that has no intention of letting them think and choose for themselves.
Bleak? Yes.
Without hope? No.
Chinua Achebe may choose to show the fruitless fight of young girls for self-determination, and he may show their failure to achieve personal happiness. But he also, indirectly, shows their will to change their lives, their wish for a better future, their belief in justice and education no matter what their private fate is.
Between the mayhem of civil war and cultural clashes, he shows young girls who think for themselves and play their cards well, according to the hand they are given.
And he shows that the misogyny - a fundamental part of Nigerian society - is just as rooted in the "progressive" colonists' culture as in the traditions of the different tribes.
The most backwards-striving character is a father who pushes away his son for choosing a bride out of love, not out of filial duty, and he is a devout Christian, adopting the colonial religion word for word:
"Teacher, did you say? If you consider that a qualification for a good wife I should like to point out to you, Emeka, that no Christian woman should teach. St. Paul in his letter to Corinthians says that women should keep silence."
That mindset is recurrent in all stories, and women are constantly confronted with condescending men smiling at them when "they take themselves seriously" , like children playing a serious game. At the same time, their looks and bodies are evaluated like objects without any human value, and their availability for sexual pleasure is considered. Once they yield to sexual advances, they can be dumped as spoiled goods.
Girls At War - a study in patriarchy trying to deal with modern women's voices. This is not a tale of African traditions, it is a universal collection of women in a man's world.
It is time we break that silence that St Paul and countless other men of his caliber imposed on women. Let us try to educate the next generation of children not to be as scared as those patriarchs who didn't dare to engage in a fair and equal dialogue with witty and independent women. We can do better than that, us women who chose teaching for a profession, we can raise both independent, strong women and brave men who are not afraid of women's power!
Recommended as a perfect complement to Things Fall Apart with a different angle and focus.
Bizarrely, actual war offers the kind of chaotic breakdown of society that gives them a moment of freedom to try out different roles for themselves before male power grabs them by the neck again and forces them back into a prisoner camp, both physically and mentally.
Chinua Achebe's short stories show various situations in which young girls and women try to figure out how to navigate in a community that has no intention of letting them think and choose for themselves.
Bleak? Yes.
Without hope? No.
Chinua Achebe may choose to show the fruitless fight of young girls for self-determination, and he may show their failure to achieve personal happiness. But he also, indirectly, shows their will to change their lives, their wish for a better future, their belief in justice and education no matter what their private fate is.
Between the mayhem of civil war and cultural clashes, he shows young girls who think for themselves and play their cards well, according to the hand they are given.
And he shows that the misogyny - a fundamental part of Nigerian society - is just as rooted in the "progressive" colonists' culture as in the traditions of the different tribes.
The most backwards-striving character is a father who pushes away his son for choosing a bride out of love, not out of filial duty, and he is a devout Christian, adopting the colonial religion word for word:
"Teacher, did you say? If you consider that a qualification for a good wife I should like to point out to you, Emeka, that no Christian woman should teach. St. Paul in his letter to Corinthians says that women should keep silence."
That mindset is recurrent in all stories, and women are constantly confronted with condescending men smiling at them when "they take themselves seriously" , like children playing a serious game. At the same time, their looks and bodies are evaluated like objects without any human value, and their availability for sexual pleasure is considered. Once they yield to sexual advances, they can be dumped as spoiled goods.
Girls At War - a study in patriarchy trying to deal with modern women's voices. This is not a tale of African traditions, it is a universal collection of women in a man's world.
It is time we break that silence that St Paul and countless other men of his caliber imposed on women. Let us try to educate the next generation of children not to be as scared as those patriarchs who didn't dare to engage in a fair and equal dialogue with witty and independent women. We can do better than that, us women who chose teaching for a profession, we can raise both independent, strong women and brave men who are not afraid of women's power!
Recommended as a perfect complement to Things Fall Apart with a different angle and focus.
January 12, 2019
If I have ever forgotten why Chinua Achebe is the blueprint for the quintessential African writer, then these stories have reminded me. Who else can write a story about The Madman and make it so layered with both cultural and emotional meaning? Who else can write a story so filled with a quintessential blandness that you realise that sugar might be a big deal? Who else can tell a story about a society degrading in a time of war...and highlight the stupendous double standard of the men running it?
At some points, I had to put down the book and just reflect. Achebe makes me think, he makes me proud of my Igbo roots, and most of all, he writes a damn good story.
At some points, I had to put down the book and just reflect. Achebe makes me think, he makes me proud of my Igbo roots, and most of all, he writes a damn good story.
January 7, 2015
2nd Reading January 7, 2015
February 13, 2014
It was a sad day when Chinua Achebe passed away. This is another fruit of his literary brilliance. It's a collection of short stories set in Nigeria Igbo culture. The stories run through the Biafran War. Before during and after. Some are better than others. The narrative is economical and muscular - concise sentences that hold more words than are written. The characters are colorful and different, giving a deeper looking into their lives than one would expect from stories only a few pages long. The whole book is just over 100 pages, an easy in a few hours.
November 12, 2019
NOT A REVIEW
Chinua Achebe, I believe, is one of those few writers whose works need not be convinced to the readers. He has already established his writing prowess and we would be doing a great disservice to ourselves if we do not read him and authors like him. When I started reading Girls at War and Other Stories, I was wondering how I would write a review of a collection of short stories. As I kept on progressing, I was deeply dejected by my thoughts which completely shift away from my initial worries.
Throughout my life, I have asked myself repeatedly — if it causes such discomfort, why do people even need to speak up against the wrongs that are part of their society or of the world, in general? I got my answer from this book of short stories. I might lead a wretched life if I speak, but if I do not challenge the authority of those in power, I would end up leading a much wretched life. If I speak, I might be targetted and the life of me and my loved ones might change because of it. But if I don't speak, if I unsee what is going wrong around me, I would definitely live a more miserable life. It is not just my body that would get affected but the entire elements that make me who I am. That is why I urge you to speak. Speak in the way no-one has ever spoken because what we are facing right now might not look unprecedented, but it is. We are alive and here because our ancestors did not choose to be quiet. If not for anything else, do not let their struggle go in vain. I am so tired of fighting the same wars and struggling with the same issues and I believe that so are you.
Chinua Achebe, I believe, is one of those few writers whose works need not be convinced to the readers. He has already established his writing prowess and we would be doing a great disservice to ourselves if we do not read him and authors like him. When I started reading Girls at War and Other Stories, I was wondering how I would write a review of a collection of short stories. As I kept on progressing, I was deeply dejected by my thoughts which completely shift away from my initial worries.
Throughout my life, I have asked myself repeatedly — if it causes such discomfort, why do people even need to speak up against the wrongs that are part of their society or of the world, in general? I got my answer from this book of short stories. I might lead a wretched life if I speak, but if I do not challenge the authority of those in power, I would end up leading a much wretched life. If I speak, I might be targetted and the life of me and my loved ones might change because of it. But if I don't speak, if I unsee what is going wrong around me, I would definitely live a more miserable life. It is not just my body that would get affected but the entire elements that make me who I am. That is why I urge you to speak. Speak in the way no-one has ever spoken because what we are facing right now might not look unprecedented, but it is. We are alive and here because our ancestors did not choose to be quiet. If not for anything else, do not let their struggle go in vain. I am so tired of fighting the same wars and struggling with the same issues and I believe that so are you.
February 6, 2013
War is a theme that I have a hard time getting to read and like in any kind of literature. Be it classic, sci-fi, fantasy, historical fiction, non-fiction, I always have to force myself to read passages that tell of fighting, bombing, destroying and killing. Most of the time I skim to spare myself from the gore and horror. Once in a while, though, a story or book about war comes up in my reading that draws me in regardless of the pain and suffering it tells. This book is one of the very few. I am drawn to the women, like Gladys, who do what they can to survive and live another day. Their stories, inspired by real wars that ravage African countries, focus not on the fighting but on the elements and characters in it and around it. Girls at War tells what war can do to people. For Achebe, everyone caught in one seems to be guilty and innocent at the same time. In war, action and intentions do not match and make sense anymore. Only survival rules, and to survive people would do things regardless of their previous lives and convictions. You would hate and admire the characters at the same time. And yet this contradiction makes sense. Things become upside down in war, including people. Another thing I like in this book is Achebe’s descriptions of people and setting. They are quite vivid, and yet do not preach nor blame. The detachment is quite effective, seeming to say, “Here is what it’s like. Hate it or like it, it wouldn’t make any difference. This is survival.”
May 19, 2017
Clearly the ebook was not 128 pages. Only 68 or there about. I loved the book but I hated the pigensglish because I couldn't even infer what was being said from the narration. But these are great stories. Some of them are too short and others ended just as the story seemed to be picking up. The shelling remark had me wondering what the woman meant and it took more reading for me to get the meaning. Such an expression.
I will never forget the story of Akueke. She sure had spunk!
I will never forget the story of Akueke. She sure had spunk!
June 13, 2020
فتيات في حرب ... هذا هو العنوان الذي طبعت تحته هذه المجموعة القصصية عن مجلس تنمية اﻹبداع الثقافي عام 2004 في ليبيا، وترجمة فرج الترهوني.
المجموعة هي تجميع لﻷعمال القصصية المبكرة للكاتب التي نشرت في إحدى المجلات، والتي تعكس صورا للموضوعات التي سيبحر فيها الكاتب مستقبلا في رواياته الكبيرة. كما أضيفت لها بعض القصص لكتاب آفارقة آخرين تعريفا بأسلوب ومواضيع أولئك الكتاب.
استطيع القول أنني أحسست بنشوة رائعة وأنا أقرأ هذا الكتاب كتلك التي يحسها القاريء عند قراءته لقصص كتاب أمريكا الﻻتينية الكبار كماركيز وغيره!..تصوير رائع لمجريات حياة بسيطة لكن غنية حد اﻹبهار.
كما أنها أعطتني إنطباعا أنه على الرغم من إعتناق جموع من اﻵفارقة للمسيحية-جزء كبير منهم إرغاما!- كدين يهدم لحد ما بعض خواء الوثنية! إﻻ أن اﻹشكالية العميقة بين السود والمستعمر اﻷبيض ﻻتنفك تتعقد نتيجة التناقض فيما دعى له المبشرون والممارسات المعاكسة من قبل البيض، والتي آبانت عن طمع فيما تمتلكه تلك اﻷرض ونظرة دونية ﻷبنائها!.
لعل هذه الجملة من قصة أنا وبابا والثعبان لبي ال هونوانا تبين مدى السخط لديهم تجاه تسلط المستعمرين وهيمنتهم على حياتهم:[ ﻻ يهم أيتها اﻷم، لكن ابننا يظن أن الناس ﻻ يركبون الخيول الجامحة، وأنهم ﻻ يستغلون إﻻ الجوعى ومن ﻻ حول لهم، ومع ذلك عندما يجمح حصان خارج السيطرة يطلقون عليه النار وينتهي اﻷمر، لكن الخيول المروضة تموت كل يوم، هل تسمعني؟]..
أدب افريقيا غني ونحتاج لﻹهتمام بترجمته واﻹحتفاء به أكثر من ذلك، سبقنا إلى ذلك كثيرون على رأسهم أوروبا البيضاء في جوائزها لهم واستضافاتها لكل ما هو عبقري وساحر!
المجموعة تظهر سحر واقع خفي ﻻ يستطيع اكتشافه وجلاء روعته إﻻ أديب عبقري كتشنوا ورفاقه في الكتاب!☆
المجموعة هي تجميع لﻷعمال القصصية المبكرة للكاتب التي نشرت في إحدى المجلات، والتي تعكس صورا للموضوعات التي سيبحر فيها الكاتب مستقبلا في رواياته الكبيرة. كما أضيفت لها بعض القصص لكتاب آفارقة آخرين تعريفا بأسلوب ومواضيع أولئك الكتاب.
استطيع القول أنني أحسست بنشوة رائعة وأنا أقرأ هذا الكتاب كتلك التي يحسها القاريء عند قراءته لقصص كتاب أمريكا الﻻتينية الكبار كماركيز وغيره!..تصوير رائع لمجريات حياة بسيطة لكن غنية حد اﻹبهار.
كما أنها أعطتني إنطباعا أنه على الرغم من إعتناق جموع من اﻵفارقة للمسيحية-جزء كبير منهم إرغاما!- كدين يهدم لحد ما بعض خواء الوثنية! إﻻ أن اﻹشكالية العميقة بين السود والمستعمر اﻷبيض ﻻتنفك تتعقد نتيجة التناقض فيما دعى له المبشرون والممارسات المعاكسة من قبل البيض، والتي آبانت عن طمع فيما تمتلكه تلك اﻷرض ونظرة دونية ﻷبنائها!.
لعل هذه الجملة من قصة أنا وبابا والثعبان لبي ال هونوانا تبين مدى السخط لديهم تجاه تسلط المستعمرين وهيمنتهم على حياتهم:[ ﻻ يهم أيتها اﻷم، لكن ابننا يظن أن الناس ﻻ يركبون الخيول الجامحة، وأنهم ﻻ يستغلون إﻻ الجوعى ومن ﻻ حول لهم، ومع ذلك عندما يجمح حصان خارج السيطرة يطلقون عليه النار وينتهي اﻷمر، لكن الخيول المروضة تموت كل يوم، هل تسمعني؟]..
أدب افريقيا غني ونحتاج لﻹهتمام بترجمته واﻹحتفاء به أكثر من ذلك، سبقنا إلى ذلك كثيرون على رأسهم أوروبا البيضاء في جوائزها لهم واستضافاتها لكل ما هو عبقري وساحر!
المجموعة تظهر سحر واقع خفي ﻻ يستطيع اكتشافه وجلاء روعته إﻻ أديب عبقري كتشنوا ورفاقه في الكتاب!☆
March 23, 2013
Chinua Achebe died today, and being a great believer in the maxim that dead authors live on in their books, I thought I would do my bit by reading something he wrote.
When I was in high school, I read Things Fall Apart and strongly disliked it. Now, as a (semi) adult, I enjoyed Girls At War much more than Things Fall Apart. I don't know if it was my age, my more advanced studies in history, or simply the fact that I did not have to analyze every word for meaning that got me, but I really enjoyed reading this book.
It wasn't perfect. There were two or three stories that I simply didn't understand (particularly Chike's School Days and Uncle Ben's Choice), but there were also two or three stories that made me cry (Girls At War and Vengeful Creditor) and two or three that resonated very strongly with me (Civil Peace, Marriage is a Private Affair). I don't particularly know how to describe Girls At War and Other Stories: they're more or less short quick stories about everyday life, in Africa because that is everyday life for Achebe, but they are beautifully written and very affecting. I would definitely read this book again, and recommend it to readers. A slight note for violence and attempted murder must be made.
When I was in high school, I read Things Fall Apart and strongly disliked it. Now, as a (semi) adult, I enjoyed Girls At War much more than Things Fall Apart. I don't know if it was my age, my more advanced studies in history, or simply the fact that I did not have to analyze every word for meaning that got me, but I really enjoyed reading this book.
It wasn't perfect. There were two or three stories that I simply didn't understand (particularly Chike's School Days and Uncle Ben's Choice), but there were also two or three stories that made me cry (Girls At War and Vengeful Creditor) and two or three that resonated very strongly with me (Civil Peace, Marriage is a Private Affair). I don't particularly know how to describe Girls At War and Other Stories: they're more or less short quick stories about everyday life, in Africa because that is everyday life for Achebe, but they are beautifully written and very affecting. I would definitely read this book again, and recommend it to readers. A slight note for violence and attempted murder must be made.
May 4, 2015
The fiction story “Death Men’s Path” written by China Achebe made me feel like I was in China or Beijing. The outcome of the story I could relate it to their beliefs. The main idea is how strongly tradition is and how power can go to your head. Achebe studied in London University and returned to Nigeria to finish his Bachelor’s which I found very interesting. He also suffered from several car accidents which one led him to become paralyzed from the waist down. In 2007 he was awarded the second Man Booker International Prize for having shared his literature in books and poems his whole life.
Ndume Central School had always been unsuccessful so the school board decided to hire younger people to run it. The story states, “It had always been an unprogressive school, so the Mission authorities decided to send a young and energetic man to run it.” They hired Mr. Micheal Obi. Obi was so confident in making this school run better than anyone had. He was excited to show the village how great he would run the school with the help of his wife. Obi asked his wife, “We shall make a good job of it, shan’t we?” His wife on the other hand, was more excited about all the attention she would get and the modern stuff she would have. “Obi’s wife replied, “We shall have such beautiful gardens and everything will be just modern and delightful.” The book states that Obi’s wife was thinking already that the other wives “would envy her position.” While making some changes to the school and around it Obi decides to close the footpath because he sees no sense to it. He think it looks bad for the school. Obi asked, “What will the Government Education Officer think of this when he comes to inspect the school next week?” The priest asks Obi to reopen the path. The priest tells him how the footpath has been an important part to the whole village even before he was born “this path was here before you were born…” “The whole life of this village depends on it.” Even after hearing this from the priest Obi is stubborn that he will not reopen the path. At the end, a lady dies and all the work Obi had done with flowers and buildings were trampled and destroyed. “Obi woke up the next morning among the ruins of his work.”
I enjoyed reading this fiction story. One because it was short yet, it still provided a lot of points that made me want to keep reading. Lastly, it reminded of Goosebumps books. It starts off as a normal everyday life with a school having some difficulties. At the end the supernatural comes into play. I did see how having a certain amount of power if not handled correctly can cause problems. Here you have Obi who has been promoted to make this school better and has been given power he needs. His wife instead of coming up with ideas how to make the school better is excited that the others will envy her. With this power Obi wants to make changes and that’s fine but, when the priest tries to warn him about the path he is ignorant. Obi wants his way to be done that his ignorance causes the spirits to get upset and destroy his work.
I understand what Obi wanted but, if the own priest was begging him to reopen the path he should gave listened. He deserved what he got. I learned how at times power can get to your head and not make you aware of the consequences. I also liked how the priest and the village did not act in any violent way to get their point across. They warned Obi but, the let him see on his own. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a touch power and supernatural in their readings.
Ndume Central School had always been unsuccessful so the school board decided to hire younger people to run it. The story states, “It had always been an unprogressive school, so the Mission authorities decided to send a young and energetic man to run it.” They hired Mr. Micheal Obi. Obi was so confident in making this school run better than anyone had. He was excited to show the village how great he would run the school with the help of his wife. Obi asked his wife, “We shall make a good job of it, shan’t we?” His wife on the other hand, was more excited about all the attention she would get and the modern stuff she would have. “Obi’s wife replied, “We shall have such beautiful gardens and everything will be just modern and delightful.” The book states that Obi’s wife was thinking already that the other wives “would envy her position.” While making some changes to the school and around it Obi decides to close the footpath because he sees no sense to it. He think it looks bad for the school. Obi asked, “What will the Government Education Officer think of this when he comes to inspect the school next week?” The priest asks Obi to reopen the path. The priest tells him how the footpath has been an important part to the whole village even before he was born “this path was here before you were born…” “The whole life of this village depends on it.” Even after hearing this from the priest Obi is stubborn that he will not reopen the path. At the end, a lady dies and all the work Obi had done with flowers and buildings were trampled and destroyed. “Obi woke up the next morning among the ruins of his work.”
I enjoyed reading this fiction story. One because it was short yet, it still provided a lot of points that made me want to keep reading. Lastly, it reminded of Goosebumps books. It starts off as a normal everyday life with a school having some difficulties. At the end the supernatural comes into play. I did see how having a certain amount of power if not handled correctly can cause problems. Here you have Obi who has been promoted to make this school better and has been given power he needs. His wife instead of coming up with ideas how to make the school better is excited that the others will envy her. With this power Obi wants to make changes and that’s fine but, when the priest tries to warn him about the path he is ignorant. Obi wants his way to be done that his ignorance causes the spirits to get upset and destroy his work.
I understand what Obi wanted but, if the own priest was begging him to reopen the path he should gave listened. He deserved what he got. I learned how at times power can get to your head and not make you aware of the consequences. I also liked how the priest and the village did not act in any violent way to get their point across. They warned Obi but, the let him see on his own. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a touch power and supernatural in their readings.
May 8, 2010
This collection of stories from three different decades feels a bit strange, just in the different personalities of the stories from different times. The stories from the 1950s and 60s often have a quiet gentility, an observational quality that was almost a little distancing for me. "The Madman" is a social portrait of reversal of roles on market day between a wandering lunatic and a young man trying to rise up the social ladder; "Marriage Is A Private Affair" tells a tale of family tension around a mixed marriage; in "Akueke" four brothers fail their sister and grandfather during her sickness and lose their familial links to both; and a story like "Chike's School Days" almost seems to have no plot development at all. "The Sacrificial Egg", set in the midst of a horrible smallpox plague, has a greater sense of direness and action than most of the other earlier stories, but most of them come from an almost tranquil place, which I found a little harder to access.
There's a real enjoyment in these 'social portrait' stories, please don't misunderstand me. For a relatively poor and untraveled fellow like me, the stories are a great opportunity to enjoy what the Chinese saying describes: "The reader can travel around the world without leaving his home." It's a wonderful glimpse into a world of great cultural differences and great human commonalities, providing an opportunity to compare and contrast with the cultures I've known. It's also neat to see social critique within a culture ("Vengeful Creditor" almost seems to be an embryonic version of A Man of the People, even though the story is five years younger than the satirical novel). It's a fascinating simultaneous embrace and criticism of one's own culture.
But then come the last three stories from the aftermath of the Biafran War and a new intensity suffuses these stories. Like the world Christopher Hedges describes in War Is A Force That Gives Us Meaning, life seems so much more vivid under the conditions of war. Survival means so much more, as do patriotism, loyalty, friendship, desire, and need. "Sugar Baby" revolves around the character Cletus' miserable addiction to sugar in a time when it can't be found. Instead of feeling small and distancing as it might have in the earlier stories, the narrator's harsh judgment of Cletus seems absolute and total. Cletus has humiliated himself, abased his character and alienated a woman who loved him for a half dozen sugar cubes. We know everything about him we could ever need to know from the narrator's stories about him. In "Girls At War" and "Civil Peace", the various actors' strength of character, senses of honor, and personal ethics also come into sharpest relief. If they are great souls, it becomes clear. If they are venal, it shows. The desperation of the times reveals all, lays bare the inner fortitude of Achebe's characters. Maybe I am a victim of the small-minded dependency on war culture that Hedges described, but these three stories are those that most struck me in this beautiful little book.
There's a real enjoyment in these 'social portrait' stories, please don't misunderstand me. For a relatively poor and untraveled fellow like me, the stories are a great opportunity to enjoy what the Chinese saying describes: "The reader can travel around the world without leaving his home." It's a wonderful glimpse into a world of great cultural differences and great human commonalities, providing an opportunity to compare and contrast with the cultures I've known. It's also neat to see social critique within a culture ("Vengeful Creditor" almost seems to be an embryonic version of A Man of the People, even though the story is five years younger than the satirical novel). It's a fascinating simultaneous embrace and criticism of one's own culture.
But then come the last three stories from the aftermath of the Biafran War and a new intensity suffuses these stories. Like the world Christopher Hedges describes in War Is A Force That Gives Us Meaning, life seems so much more vivid under the conditions of war. Survival means so much more, as do patriotism, loyalty, friendship, desire, and need. "Sugar Baby" revolves around the character Cletus' miserable addiction to sugar in a time when it can't be found. Instead of feeling small and distancing as it might have in the earlier stories, the narrator's harsh judgment of Cletus seems absolute and total. Cletus has humiliated himself, abased his character and alienated a woman who loved him for a half dozen sugar cubes. We know everything about him we could ever need to know from the narrator's stories about him. In "Girls At War" and "Civil Peace", the various actors' strength of character, senses of honor, and personal ethics also come into sharpest relief. If they are great souls, it becomes clear. If they are venal, it shows. The desperation of the times reveals all, lays bare the inner fortitude of Achebe's characters. Maybe I am a victim of the small-minded dependency on war culture that Hedges described, but these three stories are those that most struck me in this beautiful little book.
August 7, 2014
Sure, we've all read Things Fall Apart, probably years ago, but Chinua Achebe wrote a lot of stuff! This book was a totally random walking-through-the-library-and-its-spine-jumped-out-at-me-but-not-literally kind of decision. One of my few reads this summer that's not part of some project or quest. And I greatly enjoyed it! A story or two a day for a few days. I don't know a ton more about Nigeria than anyone else who is mostly familiar through Achebe and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and bad news in the headlines (I do know where it is, I would like to point out, which may be more than a lot of people, come to think of it...and I know that is one of the top ten countries in population, which is reason enough to know something about its literature in my opinion). So reading a book of short stories by Achebe is a great way to delve into little aspects of 20th century life there and to chide oneself for one's ignorance. Like, when you're reading short stories that take place during "the war" and you have to think, hmmm, am I sure about which war we're talking about here ? The mix of "modern" (destructive? callous?) ways of life with traditional (superstitious?) beliefs is brought to life in little moments and glimpses, which is what gives these stories their power--the glimpses, I mean, as opposed to any overt Big Message Symbolism or false dichotomy. I think my favorite stories were "The Voter," "The Madman," and "Vengeful Creditor." They're all a little depressing, because humanity is depressing, but also inspiring, because Chinua Achebe didn't give up on humanity, which is nice of him.
March 4, 2015
Before I get to ranting, a disclaimer: Quite a few of these stories are really funny and warm, and I found myself chuckling.
"My belief is that a child who will be somebody will be somebody whether he goes to school or not." Spoken by a callous, and of course wealthy, man to his impoverished teenaged nanny. The government offers free education, then takes it away and the newspapers gloat. A girl is sent to work by her mother who once gave up on good marriage prospects for a manual laborer, who her missionaries thought would be closer to Jesus, and sees her own education prospects dashed. While reading this collection of short stories, many which centered on the hopes and disappointments of education, I was repeatedly reminded of the "you don't need college" schtick of Rick Santorum, or that other fool, Andrew Sullivan, who once posted an article by a burnt out adjunct, entitled "Please! Don't go to college." Sullivan was smugly riding the words of its author, an exhausted composition teacher, who had he decent benefits and fair compensation for the work he'd now concluded was meaningless, would have likely retained some of his commitment to his students. Things sure are the same all over. And this is how they fall apart.
"My belief is that a child who will be somebody will be somebody whether he goes to school or not." Spoken by a callous, and of course wealthy, man to his impoverished teenaged nanny. The government offers free education, then takes it away and the newspapers gloat. A girl is sent to work by her mother who once gave up on good marriage prospects for a manual laborer, who her missionaries thought would be closer to Jesus, and sees her own education prospects dashed. While reading this collection of short stories, many which centered on the hopes and disappointments of education, I was repeatedly reminded of the "you don't need college" schtick of Rick Santorum, or that other fool, Andrew Sullivan, who once posted an article by a burnt out adjunct, entitled "Please! Don't go to college." Sullivan was smugly riding the words of its author, an exhausted composition teacher, who had he decent benefits and fair compensation for the work he'd now concluded was meaningless, would have likely retained some of his commitment to his students. Things sure are the same all over. And this is how they fall apart.
October 23, 2016
Achebe's stories, all written before 1972, are early work, and though a few are didactic, most are vivid and offer great insight in the daily life of African natives, shedding light on the influences of colonization and the Biafran War in the 60s. Of particular interest is "The Madman."
June 7, 2017
While some of these stories possessed a charming quality, most of them seemed to end abruptly and seemed unfinished. Short stories weren't Achebe's forte, and he says as much in the introduction to this edition. I'm reading through all his work this year, and I'd put this super short collection on the low end of the scale of his works that you "must read"
December 3, 2012
Another masterpiece by a flawless writer -most of the short stories here revolve around the Biafra war or its aftermath.
July 3, 2018
I mean... it was okay, I guess? There wasn't anything to hate or dislike, but there wasn't anything to love or like either. So... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
November 8, 2016
Obi’s perspective is that of change and progressiveness, which in respect to the circumstances at play, is not innately wrong. The priest’s perspective is that of conservatism and tradition, which in and of itself is also not a wrong notion, again, with respect to the circumstances. Obi was specifically enlisted for the position due to the fact that he was predicted to bring about an advancement for the highly traditional school. I believe Obi had a demeanor about him that made progression and change quite difficult – he seemed arrogant and disrespectful. He was willfully ignorant to the traditions of the village and the consequences of disregarding them, despite the priest advising him. It appeared as if he felt that the priest was challenging him and his, “authority”. The priest had experience in this village, and possessed a certain insight behind his perspective on the matter that, if heeded by the headmaster, perhaps would’ve led to a more successful venture. I believe whether or not Obi is willing to admit so, that the actions he took were offensive to the natives, which led to the revolt. He was a tyrant, not agreeing to look beyond his own perspective to see those of the town folk, whom he would be heavily involved with, and who would be heavily influenced by his actions as well. I do believe that Obi was wrong in his perspective, not that progressiveness was wrong, but that in the end “policy,” and his “power,” seemed more significant than the desires of the population. I think the priest was right, but he could’ve also taken a deeper look into the opposing perspective (which may be harder since he has unwavering loyalty to the town, and Obi’s arrogance/stubbornness basically radiated off of him), which could’ve been a great opportunity for him to propose a common ground for the sake of the village. The priest also maintained a place of power, and could have advocated a counter solution, but this is not to say he was responsible for the outcome either.
“Fiction is often thinly disguised nonfiction.” To me, this novel felt very comparative to our modern day politics – liberalism vs conservatism (although they may represent absolutes depending on the argument), as well as cultural ethnocentrism to an extent. Obi was not able to understand the significance of the town people’s culture surrounding the pathway, because he was viewing it entirely from his own cultural/world views. Had cultural relativism been at play, and he was able to see the importance from their view point, perhaps he wouldn’t have been so stubborn and narrow-minded. I believe we suffer dire consequences continually modern day based on different perspectives; Historically speaking, we could go over war and war and war and so on, with the majority resulting from a conflict in perspectives that led to mutual destruction/devastation. Although it may not be as well-known as other literature that serves the same purpose, I do believe it is somewhat art imitating real life, whether designed for a specific circumstance/event, or a more general representation. I am not surprised that the headmaster’s actions are what lead to the uprising, as historically, this has happened a number of times when someone in a place of power (especially newly granted power at that) decides to disregard the preexisting culture/beliefs in favor of their own self-serving feat. When you don’t listen to or respect the masses, they eventually ban together for the better of their people. The more desperate people become, the more desperate their actions.
Although it appealed to me as an intellectual, and was quite rapt, the story did not resonate with me on an emotional level (possibly because of the one dimensional characterization), which is why I am giving it four stars. I like pieces that simultaneously stimulate our intellectual and emotional senses. Regardless, this work is still powerful with meaning and will provide a satisfying percipience.
September 17, 2021
Had some laughs and sighs of grief.
May 11, 2012
Chinua Achebe includes severalshort stories in this book that displays the heart and soul of life in Nigeria. Each of the stories hold a different aspect and quality to them. He has a flair of creating personalities different from the other characters he creates. When you begin each story it feels as if you are beginning a different novel. Each story focuses on something different for example A Marriage is a Private Affair forcuses on family tension around a sort of mixed marriage, while in "Akueke", four brothers fail to aid their sister Akueke during her illness and losses ties to not only her but their grandfather as well.
One downfall is the stories end somewhat abruptly. There is the feeling that there is more to the story than what has been told thus far. Chinua Achebe has the ability though to help readers travel to Nigeria and experience what the culture would be and learn about traditions that are held onto. It is so easy to get through this collection in one afternoon because you are unable to put the book down.
The short stories in this collection spand a period of twenty years, to the Biafran War years. While the stories have different storylines, they all have a commn theme: tradition verses modernism in his country. Achebe is a fine storyteller and allows readers into his world
One downfall is the stories end somewhat abruptly. There is the feeling that there is more to the story than what has been told thus far. Chinua Achebe has the ability though to help readers travel to Nigeria and experience what the culture would be and learn about traditions that are held onto. It is so easy to get through this collection in one afternoon because you are unable to put the book down.
The short stories in this collection spand a period of twenty years, to the Biafran War years. While the stories have different storylines, they all have a commn theme: tradition verses modernism in his country. Achebe is a fine storyteller and allows readers into his world
December 31, 2016
199. Girls at War by Chinua Achebe
Many of the stories included in this collection take place during or just after the Biafran-Nigerian War in the early 1970s which many people have already forgotten. There are stories like Madman, set in tribal villages where the men have several wives and send them to the market to sell goods. One story, Sugar Baby, involves a man who finds the lack of sugar in the war difficult to cope with and rots his teeth with excessive sweet things after the war. The title story deals with the disillusionment of an officer with how the young women who volunteered to fight at the beginning of the war have given up on the struggle and become mistresses of wealthy men who protect them. Tribal loyalties even forbid intermarriage, and children are disowned in the community, to the point where a man does not see his mother for a dozen years. One story involves a clerk in 1919 during a smallpox epidemic who escapes the disease, although his fiancé and mother do not. There are also disputes between the Christian converts and those who adhere to the old ways.
Many of the stories included in this collection take place during or just after the Biafran-Nigerian War in the early 1970s which many people have already forgotten. There are stories like Madman, set in tribal villages where the men have several wives and send them to the market to sell goods. One story, Sugar Baby, involves a man who finds the lack of sugar in the war difficult to cope with and rots his teeth with excessive sweet things after the war. The title story deals with the disillusionment of an officer with how the young women who volunteered to fight at the beginning of the war have given up on the struggle and become mistresses of wealthy men who protect them. Tribal loyalties even forbid intermarriage, and children are disowned in the community, to the point where a man does not see his mother for a dozen years. One story involves a clerk in 1919 during a smallpox epidemic who escapes the disease, although his fiancé and mother do not. There are also disputes between the Christian converts and those who adhere to the old ways.
January 23, 2016
I'd never had a chance to see Achebe's short work before and I liked it. Like his longer work, he gives a great sense of the humanity of these people trying to survive in a world that is sometimes humorous though often heartrending, unfeeling, and hostile. It may not have the same scope as Achebe's longer work, completely obviously since these are short stories, but there's some good stuff in here and it shines all the same.
April 17, 2019
I either didn’t really care for the short story or I was in complete awe with how beautiful and breathtaking it was. Maybe I need to reread it because I read this book during really stressful time hehe.
November 11, 2014
-> http://africanbookaddict.wordpress.co...
My favorite stories were: 'The Madman' ; 'Marriage is a Private Affair' and 'Girls at War'. The other stories were meh... I don't think I enjoyed reading this short stories book. Achebe's writing style is flawless as usual, but I wasn't really interested in a lot of the stories. Meh.
My favorite stories were: 'The Madman' ; 'Marriage is a Private Affair' and 'Girls at War'. The other stories were meh... I don't think I enjoyed reading this short stories book. Achebe's writing style is flawless as usual, but I wasn't really interested in a lot of the stories. Meh.
January 18, 2015
Some stories are a bit weaker than others, but overall this is a great collection of stories from Nigeria and Biafra that reflect life lessons and challenges that are similar to those faced everywhere, albeit in slightly different settings.
December 30, 2015
These stories were of varying quality. Not all held my attention, but the ones that did made quite an impact, particularly the story of a young girl who would (quite literally) kill to go to school. The title story, “Girls at War,” was also one of the more powerful tales in the collection.
February 12, 2016
Except for two or three stories I didn't like it so much.
August 27, 2017
3.5 stars. I enjoyed it a lot but wasn't blown away. Will likely read more in the future.
May 20, 2023
Surprisingly as iconic as Chinua Achebe is, he is not an author that I read until now. Things Fall Apart is arguably the most famous African novel of all time and is usually the first one people go to when they want to explore writers from the continent but it’s actually the first part in a trilogy that is aptly named ”The African Trilogy.” However, I’m not getting into that right now. Instead, I read Girls at War and Other Stories by Chinua Achebe in one sitting on a Friday night while waiting on a thunderstorm to strike my city.
To put it simply, there were some stories that were standouts among a lot of “okay” stories. None of them are really bad and I was able to read through this without spending too much time confused about the language. On the back of the book, the New York Times referred to this collection of twelve short stories as “first-rate fiction” and I have to agree with them. Achebe’s writing possesses a level of authenticity, power, and innocence that is so rare for writers these days. Achebe’s work takes on the problems that take place in modern Africa during his time and digs deep into an infant Nigeria, not even a decade independent from British rule, and the problems the country faced during the Nigerian Civil War.
At times funny, poignant, and downright bizarre, these stories were a joy to read. Some of my favorites were: Girls at War, Sugar Baby, The Madman, Vengeful Creditor, The Sacrificial Egg, and Marriage is a Private Affair. Through these stories, we see a titan of a writer who is flexing his wide breadth of knowledge and range. The stories showcase tragedy and resilience while introducing people to a part of the world they may be unfamiliar with. While we are a bit far removed from times like this in the year 2023, these stories are about humanity and the things that we all do for love and protection.
To put it simply, there were some stories that were standouts among a lot of “okay” stories. None of them are really bad and I was able to read through this without spending too much time confused about the language. On the back of the book, the New York Times referred to this collection of twelve short stories as “first-rate fiction” and I have to agree with them. Achebe’s writing possesses a level of authenticity, power, and innocence that is so rare for writers these days. Achebe’s work takes on the problems that take place in modern Africa during his time and digs deep into an infant Nigeria, not even a decade independent from British rule, and the problems the country faced during the Nigerian Civil War.
At times funny, poignant, and downright bizarre, these stories were a joy to read. Some of my favorites were: Girls at War, Sugar Baby, The Madman, Vengeful Creditor, The Sacrificial Egg, and Marriage is a Private Affair. Through these stories, we see a titan of a writer who is flexing his wide breadth of knowledge and range. The stories showcase tragedy and resilience while introducing people to a part of the world they may be unfamiliar with. While we are a bit far removed from times like this in the year 2023, these stories are about humanity and the things that we all do for love and protection.
February 21, 2024
I honestly don’t have much to say about this book. Unfortunately, I never engaged with his writing style (I can’t remember half of the stories I read) and it was somewhat of a drudge to get through. BUT definitely an interesting read to see post-colonialism in Africa from the eyes of someone who grew up in the middle of it. The stories would focus on two or three people but through their interactions with each other and the society around them you start to see the effects of the introduction of Christianity to an already religious culture, the starvation and desperation that war always brings, and the corruption that comes with power and wealth. So, that was definitely worthwhile, yet I really kept wishing that I was reading another book while I was in the middle of it.
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