Things Fall Apart

This is an example of a good story told poorly; what could have been a fascinating examination of the cultural dissonance between the Igbo tribe and English Imperialism is stunted by curt, short prose that stymies emotional investment. It is so interesting to see both sides have a point, have flaws, and Okonkwo - the protagonist of the novel - be a woman beater, child murderer, and still be a sympathetic character. There is no doubt that the ideas presented are enticing to discuss, but the discussion aspect is perhaps more interesting than reading it itself. There are no qualms with the story but rather how it is presented, with the content being glossed over or told so quickly that it doesn't allow for the reader to truly take in the depth of what the story is trying to convey.

More interesting to discuss than to read.