Things fall apart is a best-seller in USA

Chunua Achebe’s widely celebrated novel, Things Fall Apart, has again confirmed its classical status as it has been named as a US national bestseller along with its author, the Empowered Newswire has reported.

The book, whose golden jubilee anniversasy had, in the past eight months, generated tributes and several commemorative programmes across the globe.

It has also attracted the attention of the biggest library in the world, the US Library of Congress, which has announced plans to celebrate it.

Founded in 1800, the library seeks to further human understanding and wisdom by providing access to knowledge through its magnificent colle- ctions that bring to bear the world’s knowledge in almost all of the world’s languages.

According to the USA Today, America‘s only national newspaper, and Associated Press, which compiles the National Bestsellers, Achebe‘s book took number 33 among the top US bestsellers list last week, ranking higher in sales than books on popular US presidential candidate, Barack Obama, and controversial Republican vice-presidential candidate, Sarah Palin.

There were only 50 books listed.

Also on September 22 at the George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia State, a reading session of the book drew over 1,200 people to the US school.

Achebe’s US-based medical doctor son, Chidi, said the event featured a traditional libation ceremony and the presentation of this year‘s Mason Award.

“Prof. Achebe enchanted the audience with readings from both his poetry and prose,” Chidi said.

Being a prophet recognised even at home, Nigeria had, earlier in the year, began the celebration of the book that most inspiringly captures the European invasion of African culture when the Association of Nigerian Authors organised a colloquium, readings, performances that took the novel to different parts of the country.

On October 3 and 4, a dramatic adaptation of it will be staged in Abuja by Jos Reppertory Theatre in collaboration with the ANA.

Chidi said Achebe “is blown away” by the number of events being organised to celebrate the the book’s 50th anniversary.

“He thanks all his friends, colleagues as well as strangers - wonderful people who love literature and the written word, who have been touched by his work and have been moved to put together these events,” he added.

As part of the US Library event, a symposium will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Room 119 of the Library’s Thomas Jefferson Building, located at 10 First Street S.E., Washington, D.C.

Following the symposium, ”An Evening with Chinua Achebe” w ill feature the author reading from his celebrated work at 6 p.m. in the Montpelier Room (LM-619) of the Library’s James Madison Building, located at 101 Independence Ave. S.E., Washington, D.C.

The symposium’s luncheon keynote address will be given by renowned African scholar, Ali Mazrui, Albert Schweitzer professor in the Humanities and Director of the Institute of Global Cultural at Binghamton University, State University of New York.

The closing keynote address is expected to be delivered by Ghanian playwright, Ama Ata Aidoo.

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Posted: at 29-09-2008 10:25 PM (15 years ago) | Gistmaniac

OH WOW!....THIS IS GREAT!.....I WIH I COULD BE THERE ....LET ME GOOGLE HIS IMAGE & SEE COS IT SEEMS I FORGOT WHAT HE LOOKS LIKE...I COULD ONLY REMEMBER WOLE SOYINKA  VIVIDLY.

Posted: at 1-10-2008 03:43 AM (15 years ago) | Newbie

things are definately beginginning to hold centre for us

Posted: at 12-10-2008 03:25 AM (15 years ago) | Gistmaniac

A perfect writer,a book for every shelve.

Posted: at 15-01-2009 10:09 PM (15 years ago) | Gistmaniac

good news 4 naija

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Posted: at 8-05-2009 03:36 PM (14 years ago) | Gistmaniac