Literary · Historical
Things Fall Apart
Bestseller: about 20 million copies (estimate)Okonkwo, a proud and fiercely driven man in a Nigerian Igbo village, tries to build a name for himself as the community's traditions are shaken by the arrival of colonial missionaries and officials.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 1958
- Pace
- Medium
- Length
- Short
- Pages
- 185
- Format
- Book 1 of 3 in The African Trilogy
Read this if you want a short, classic of African literature that shows a society from within before and after colonial contact.
Skip this if you want a lighter read; it is spare, grim and doesn't soften its hero.
The feel
Content warnings
Also reported by Hardcover readers:
Quick answers about Things Fall Apart
- What is Things Fall Apart about?
- Okonkwo, a proud and fiercely driven man in a Nigerian Igbo village, tries to build a name for himself as the community's traditions are shaken by the arrival of colonial missionaries and officials.
- Who should read Things Fall Apart?
- Read it if you want a short, classic of African literature that shows a society from within before and after colonial contact. Skip it if you want a lighter read; it is spare, grim and doesn't soften its hero.
- How long and how fast is Things Fall Apart?
- It is a medium-paced, short read of about 185 pages, first published in 1958.
- Does Things Fall Apart have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Violence, Death, Child death, Suicide, Domestic violence.
- Can I borrow Things Fall Apart for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends Things Fall Apart; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after Things Fall Apart?
- Readers who liked it often move on to Half of a Yellow Sun, The Poisonwood Bible, The God of Small Things.
Your shelf
Saved in this browser only. Open my shelf
Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
Prices appear here as retailer feeds are connected. Where none is shown, check the store. Links open the store in a new tab.
Some store links, including Kobo, are affiliate links: we may earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. Library links are never affiliate links. How this works
Share this pick
Because you might love it
If you loved Things Fall Apart
-
Half of a Yellow Sun A later Nigerian novel on a different crisis, with more characters and a wider emotional range.
-
The Poisonwood Bible
Another novel about outsiders reshaping an African community, told from the outsiders' side.
-
The God of Small Things Another novel about tradition, power and a family in a postcolonial world.
Literary
