Special Circumstances

A Man of the People by Chinua Achebe

Chinua Achebe is perhaps most well known for his first novel "Things Fall Apart" and remains one of the most famous Nigerian authors writing in English. He retains his deceptively simple breezy style in this novel as well, but the story has moved from pre-colonial times to a post-colonial setting in a modern Nigeria.

The protagonist, Odili Samalu, is a well-educated and independent man and the story is a chronicle of his gradual spiral into the corruption of politics. His political ambitions are initially in reaction to Chief the Honourable M. A. Nanga who is the representative of his district and an old friend who has changed irrevocably since becoming a politician. Odili is an idealist and philosopher who despises Chief Nanga. Odili becomes a rival of Mr. Nanga not only for political office but also for the affections of his mistress and his wife-to-be. He includes some indication in this novel of the involvement of the two superpowers (at the time) in the political process in Nigeria.

The plot of this novel seems to chronicle the coup that occurred in Nigeria in 1966 just as this novel was published. He squarely blames the corruption of the politicians for the collapse of the government and the subsequent military regime. He does this implicitly throughout the book, and then explicitly in the last chapter of the book.

Achebe's style of writing is minimalist, his style reminding me at times of R. K. Narayan. But unlike Narayan he remains mostly unsympathetic with almost all of his characters. At times Achebe displays great skill in his writing. However, this novel is never as consistently good as "Things Fall Apart". If you have to read one Achebe book, read that one. After that, give this one a try.

%T A Man of the People
%A Chinua Achebe
%I Anchor Books/Doubleday
%D 1966
%D :Reissue edition 1989 
%G ISBN: 0385086164 (pb)
%P 150
%K literature

Date written: 2000/05/22