-Graham S. In response to what Elizabeth judges as Amoss poor decision, Elizabeth goes to consult the diviner, who functions as the foil of Mr. Brown when it comes to figures of leadership and authoritywhereas Mr. Brown represents encroaching Western influences, the diviner represents the villages devotion to their traditional religion. . Not a One-Hit Wonder. BuffaloLib's library catalog tends to include a brief plot synopsis and a collection of selected trade reviews for each entry. Chinua Achebe was born in the Igbo village of Ogidi, Nigeria. I would definitely recommend this book to all the children I know. Rather than getting that visceral sense of such a distant place (from where I am right now), it felt a bit trivial, with some foreign vocab thrown in for show. Feels odd to give a Chinua Achebe book only three stars, but it wasn't like the rest of his works and that threw me off majorly. However, as a young adult, Achebe became fascinated with forms of African spirituality, and his studies heavily influenced his writing. Analysis. Uploaded by He saves up money by doing odd jobs and eventually convinces his father to allow him to travel to the city. - Publishers Weekly . Achebe, Chinua. Buy, Aug 09, 2011 | ISBN 9780307742070 | 7-9 years. teaching and reminding that all humankind is one. The NationThe father of African literature in the English language and undoubtedly one of the most important writers of the second half of the twentieth century. Caryl Phillips,The ObserverWe are indebted to Achebe for reminding us that art has social and moral dimensiona truth often obscured. Chicago TribuneHe is one of the few writers of our time who has touched us with a code of values that will never be ironic. Michael OndaatjeFor so many readers around the world, it is Chinua Achebe who opened up the magic casements of African fiction. Kwame Anthony Appiah[Achebe] is one of world literatures great humane voices. Times Literary SupplementAchebe is one of the most distinguished artists to emerge from the West African cultural renaissance of the post-war world. The Sunday Times(London)[Achebe is] a powerful voice for cultural decolonization. The Village VoiceChinua Achebe has shown that a mind that observes clearly but feels deeply enough to afford laughter may be more wise than all the politicians and journalists. TimeThe power and majesty of Chinua Achebes work has, literally, opened the world to generations of readers. All of her books were written by Westerners, which meant there were no characters just like her, living lives just like hers, so he created one for her. English. "African literature is incomplete and unthinkable without the works of Chinua Achebe." Chinua Achebe - Chike and the River, Epub Ebook. Many children do not realize the work that must be put in to reach a goal, which Achebe indicates throughout her novel. Here . If there is a Chike and the River SparkNotes, Shmoop guide, or Cliff Notes, you can find a link to each study guide below. And though I know the moral tale is a huge part of African lit, at least they usually have some fun with animals that speak and fuck and kill and humans who are evil or beautiful or unbelievably rich. | 7-9 years 96 pages. But when the time actually came for . Still, he hoped.Eleven-year-old Chike longs to cross the Niger River to the city of Asaba, but he doesnt have the sixpence he needs to pay for the ferry ride. He requested money from his uncle, who refused. This highlights the foreignness of the language theyre required to use in school and invites readers to consider how unnatural it is for children to learn the foreign language of their countrys colonizers at such a young age. Answer. It is important for children to understand life across the world, not just in their hometown. I think kids anywhere would like it. I enjoyed some of the short stories in this book, but at times it felt very scattered and slow. He did not know. Primary Location of Practice. Because English is not Chikes native languagerather, it is imposed on him through colonialismChike is forced to create his own definitions. 5.3 x 0.28 x 8 inches. The 2011 illustrated edition, from Anchor Books, is quite lovely, and worth tracking down. Much more welcoming for all of us is his long-lost childrens book, Chike and the River, just getting a very belated reissue next week. Start earning points for buying books! Want to know what people are actually reading right now? "Chike and the River" is a novel by Chinua Achebe, a Nigerian author renowned for his literary works that explore the complexities of African culture and colonialism. You'll be able to access your notes and highlights, make requests, and get updates on new titles. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Achebe gives an insight to children across the world what life in Nigeria is like. See all books by Chinua Achebe. It's a simple story, told in the style of boys' escapades and heroic entanglements with comic-book hoods. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. More Books, Published Aug 2011 As the story goes, Achebe wrote it when his daughter was entering preschool in Nigeria. also introduced the class to so many authors mostly ignored by the Western canon: Senegals Ousmene Sembene (whos also a great film director), Ghanas Ayi Kwei Armah, Cameroons Ferdinand Oyono. Complete your free account to access notes and highlights. Complete your free account to request a guide. Search String: Summary | Reviews | Sites with a book review or quick commentary on Chike and the River by Chinua Achebe. Summary: Chike was keen to visit the River Niger. It's moral message is also of that stature. This passage suggests that Chike and his sisters are isolated from their community due to their parents Christian beliefs. Search: And go from well-read to best read with book recs, deals and more in your inbox every week. With his increased confidence, he is motivated once again to find a way to acquire one shilling to cross the River Niger. Nice to see Chinua Achebe's work again, too. It's one of the short stories that use disobedient boys to teach a lesson. He did not know. More Information | NY Journal of Books reviews tend to be written in a personal style, with the reviewer sharing anecdotes to illustrate what they like and dislike about the title. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added. As a child, I firmly held on to the belief of a white baby being prized. Publishers Weekly reviews vary in length, with all focusing on a synopsis of the book and a look at the quality of writing. I was actually really surprised while reading this how well it matched up with the stories and sentiments he told me :). The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. This is a children's book, sweet as a folk-tale from the author of, Oh yeah, I did it, I picked a book without magic, monsters and great villains :D Miracles do happen :) But I'll get back to my monsters, I promise :) No need to worry :). He has heard many great stories about living in a big city, yet, his mother warns him of the dangers of living in a place like Onitsha. I think that this should be an elementary school book. At first Chike was full of joy. Its a handsome paperback edition for all ages with woodcut illustrations by Edel Rodriguez, but Achebes reputation and a blurb from. However, he switched to English literature while in college, and soon after began to write short stories, many of which took as their theme traditional African spiritualities. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1715 titles we cover. Book Review by Kam Williams. He tries many times to obtain the money, however, all of his attempts fail. Like the narrator, Chike, Chinua Achebe was part of the first generation among his family to be raised Christian rather than within the traditional Igbo religion. He faces the harsh realities of city life, including poverty, exploitation, and discrimination. Sites like SparkNotes with a Chike and the River study guide or cliff notes. His mother had told him to stay away from the Niger river. He dreams of seeing the world beyond his village and experiencing the excitement and opportunities that the city has to offer. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. Because, as in all good folktales, Achebe wants us to know that a good heart, paired with curiosity and determination, can yield results beyond our greatest dreams. It was first published in 1966 by Cambridge University Press, with illustrations by Prue Theobalds, and was the first of several children's stories Achebe would write. Be the first one to. | ISBN 9780307742070 Amoss decision to marry Sarah reflects the extent to which colonial influence is capable of altering local culture. BookBrowse LLC 1997-2023. It is important for children to understand that they can overcome their challenges and keep going, which Achebe helps promote through this novel. And here is where old world meets new because to get to the other side of the river, Chike must take a ferry, which cost sixpence each way, more money than hes ever held in his hand. Sweet story about a Nigerian boy's dream to cross the river. But where would he get the money? His parents, Sarah and Amos, are so happy to have birthed a son that at his baptism, they give him three names: John, Chike, and Obiajulu, which means "the mind is at last at rest.". Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for THE EPISTEMOLOGY OF MOTIVATION: HARNESSING THE ART By Egeni Chike Camilius *NEW* at the best online prices at eBay! An alert reader will recognize more than one moral lesson gently woven into the tale. PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. Kids reading the book can see that even with the struggles of Chike, he pushed through and kept going. As an example of postcolonial literature, Chikes School Days thematically relates to Achebes canonical novel, Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. The tone of the book is rather juvenile, even for a children's story, and the ending ties up all loose ends rather too neatly for my likings. "Chike was now 11 years-old, and he had never left his village. web pages Chike and the River (1966) by Chinua Achebe is one such book . Chinua Achebes novel, Chike and the River, perfectly displays the idea of working to achieve a dream. Chike And The River book. Answer. Then one day his mother told him that he would be going to Onitsha in the new year to live with his uncle. Four New Venues Reinventing Boston Live Music, This search result is here to prevent scraping, See the Most Expensive Home Listing Ever to Hit the South Shore, Take a Look Inside the Most Expensive Single-Family Home Ever Sold in Boston, The Everyday Affects of the Marathon Bombings, Ten Years Later, Here's Where to Find the Best Fish and Chips in Boston, Pizza Project Pop-Up to Open Restaurant at the Speedway, By the Way, Theres a Work of Art Made of Human Hair in Salem, Careers and Internships at Boston Magazine. Whats more, the fact that Chike and his schoolmates presumably dont understand the meanings of the English songs further demonstrates the fact that the colonial instruction the students are receiving is not relevant to them, and only serve as tools of assimilation. Reading age. Here, readers are immediately introduced to the many cultural influences the characters must navigate throughout the story. By clicking Sign Up, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to Penguin Random House's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and understand that Penguin Random House collects certain categories of personal information for the purposes listed in that policy, discloses, sells, or shares certain personal information and retains personal information in accordance with the policy. He settles into this new life and quickly makes friends at the school. Again, after multiple attempts in trying to increase the money he found, he fails, so he almost gives up on his dream. If you want to introduce children to Achebe, and you should, start at Things Fall Apart. Over the course of the novel, Chike has his ups and downs trying to reach his final goal of crossing the River Niger, while gaining courage and confidence over the course of his journey. Eleven-year-old Chike longs to cross the Niger River to the city of Asaba, but he doesn't have the sixpence he needs to pay for the ferry ride. All Right Reserved. Mamma I'm 11 years now , I can go to Onitsha by myself!All these vegetables are from your farm?We'll eat these. Join BookBrowse today to start discovering exceptional books! The Books Alexis Patterson Is Loving Right Now, Amazing Childrens Books by Arab and Arab American Authors, Browse All Our Lists, Essays, and Interviews. Language. Just for joining youll get personalized recommendations on your dashboard daily and features only for members. Chinua Achebewas born in Nigeria in 1930. This passage speaks to colonialism as a form of violence. My students love how organized the handouts are and enjoy tracking the themes as a class., Requesting a new guide requires a free LitCharts account. With the help of his friend S.M.O.G., he embarks on a series of adventures to help him get there. Books barged into my life and tossed my low self-esteem out of the window by showing me Pecola from. For Chike, such strangeness is at the heart of everything, even as he goes to school and makes friends. Achebe's vivid storytelling and rich characters make . Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1715 titles we cover. Cliff Notes , Cliffnotes , and Cliff's Notes are trademarks of Wiley Publishing, Inc. SparkNotes and Spark Notes are trademarks of Barnes & Noble, Inc. Along the way, Chike learns valuable lessons about life, love, and the complexities of human nature. Many reviews are behind a subscriber paywall. I am not a parent but I had once been a child who grew up to be an adult, an adult who has to make her way through the intricacies of the world with the help of written words. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. The more Chike saw the ferry-boats the more he wanted to make . Would probably not read again, though. In 2007, Achebe was awarded the Man Booker International Prize. He also had another motive: to teach through Chikes story by telling it from the perspective of an adult trying to mold how children should navigate the world; unfortunately, the result is occasionally clumsy and transparent. Along the way, he is exposed to a range of new experiences that are both thrilling and terrifying, from eating his first skewer of suya under the shade of a mango tree, to visiting the village magician who promises to double the money in his pocket. In Umuofia every thief was known, but here [in Onitsha] even people who lived under the same roof were strangers to one another. The illustrations in the newer edition are lovely adding a nice playful touch. Further suggestions might be found on the article's talk page. Grand River Hospital. on August 18, 2020, There are no reviews yet. Until then, I and most of classmates knew only Things Fall Apart, by Nigerian author Chinua Achebe. The latest reprint has a cover design by Victor Ekpuk. Read An Excerpt. Achebe's vivid storytelling and rich characters make "Chike and the River" a compelling and thought-provoking read. With the help of his friend S.M.O.G., he embarks on a series of adventures to help him get there. He is the author of five novels, two short-story collections, and numerous other books. You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. This gives his fascination with the river an aspect of the elemental, as if here, at least . Many children do not realize the poverty that many people experience across the world. Publication Information. . This is a simple, powerful and hopeful story that provides an inside view into Nigeria and Africa. First of all, the anxiety about not having any male children is a marked characteristic of Igbo culture (although the privileging of sons is by no means exclusive to the Igbo people). Title Refine any search. My husband is Nigerian and based on the stories about school he's told me, this seems pretty accurate! Eleven-year-old Chike longs to cross the Niger River to the city of Asaba, but he doesn't have the sixpence he needs to pay for the ferry ride. He also enlists the help of his new, mischievous schoolmates, including one called S.M.O.G. Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Book review: 'Chike and the River' by Chinua Achebe", An Image of Africa: Racism in Conrad's Heart of Darkness, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chike_and_the_River&oldid=1149761739, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles needing additional references from July 2015, All articles needing additional references, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 14 April 2023, at 08:11. Capture a web page as it appears now for use as a trusted citation in the future. It can be inferred, then, that if members continue converting to Christianity, relatively isolated nuclear families the village will soon become the norm in the village. Penguin Books. In-depth summary and analysis of every of Chike's School Days. Our, "Sooo much more helpful thanSparkNotes. . I have to read more of Achebe's stuff. Chike, a Nigerian boy. This is a simple, powerful and hopeful story that provides an inside view into Nigeria and Africa. All of Chikes friends speak of the amazing River Niger and taking the ferries across it to the city of Asaba. Writers and intellectuals alike were grappling with themes such as colonialism and resistance in their work, and this cultural environment likely contributed to Achebes choice of subject matter. Welcome to the LitCharts study guide on Chinua Achebe's Chikes School Days. It it arrives at its conclusion a bit too abruptly, there is still a great deal of pleasure to be found in seeing this world through a young boy's eyes. 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