No longer at Ease — Book Review
Author: Chinua Achebe
“A person who has not secured a place on the floor should not begin to look for a mat” — Chapter 6
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Book: No Longer At Ease. Date of Publication: 1960. Genre: Fiction. Publisher: Anchor Books. Pages: 193
This fiction book was published in 1960, written by the well known Nigerian author , co-author, poet and editor, Chinua Achebe. “No Longer at Ease” is one of his seventeen books. In addition to these novels he has been an editor for some anthologies. This well established writer has a long history of education and writing behind him, with the initial intention to study medicine, Chinua was inspired to become a writer after reading a book that portrayed Nigerians as barbarian characters which revealed the author’s level of ignorance on the Nigerian culture. “No longer at Ease” follows some of the characters from his previous book “Things fall apart”. Let’s dive in.
Spoilers Ahead 🚩
Setting and structure
The setting takes place in Nigeria’s Capital Lagos during the late 1950s. The story’s setting occasionally shifts to England. It follows the journey of a Nigerian boy called Obi aged 26 years old. It begins with Obi who is on trial for accepting a bribe. Although the novel is presented in the current time it also goes back to the time Obi studied in England. It gives a backstory to the present moment. The story is written in third person and the tone touches on social and political criticism .
Shifting tides
Obi prides himself in living an honest life but after being startled over his mother’s death he takes his first bribe. He starts to ceaselessly live a life that is far different than who he is meant to be. The last bribe that he was involved in led him to prison. Achebe makes sure to reflect on the corrupt system in Nigeria very early in the book. Further highlighting that even when there are good intentions in the beginning, it always ends in corruption.
Having lived on both sides of the world, Obi finds himself immersed in both worlds and at the very same time this character feels far too different for both of the worlds. With that being said, this character feels an intense load of shame because of the greatness that was stacked beside him to change the current state of Nigeria that he didn’t fully use.
Obi was originally supported to pursue his education in England so that this could propel others to walk in his footsteps through his leadership. The concept of Obi being “at ease” disappears when the union can no longer support him on his journey.
Osu Caste System
Chinua Achebe focuses on the conflicts that Igoland has with Osu. Osu are better known to be the outcasts. The author makes it a point to mention and put emphasis on this in order to better explain the differences and struggle of the love between Clara and Obi. Osu Caste System also explains why Igoland and Osu people don’t associate with one another.
Further along we see how much Obi’s mom despises the idea of their relationship as she threatens to kill herself as this would bring shame to the family. This information is what drives Clara to the very edge of their relationship.
Language and Proverbs
Something that was notable to pick up was Obi’s name and how that was deeply related to the language he spoke, which was Ibo. Further emphasises the language that was used between him and Clara.
“A fox must be chased away first; after that the hen might be warned against wandering into the bush.”
The author uses the proverbs purposefully in different settings, as he describes the “Igbo proverb as the palm oil with each words are eaten”. The proverbs are used to reflect and learn from the knowledge and lived experiences that these words carry. Some of these proverbs act as a reflection tool and for others it helps them find resolution in a crisis.
Patriarch colonialism
Colonialism is the central theme of the story. The colonisation is highlighted by the author when he introduces the conflict of inferiority and superiority. The patriarchy paves it’s way in when the union beliefs lie in the truth that a male figure is the only card they have to play in order to make this change since Obi is the only son left in Umuofia. The belief that only male dominance can thrive in the political realm.
The author had a great way of telling a story while sharing a bit of history relating to Nigeria. Achebe’s focus was to reflect on the state of Nigeria at the verge of the country gaining independence. I enjoyed this book but I do think that reading “All things fall apart” first would have benefited me coming into this read. The ability to translate some of the true-life experiences into a story was what made it intriguing. My rating concluded on three stars and it was definitely worth the read.
Thanks for reading Folks!
