"Chike and the River" is a coming-of-age tale that explores themes of identity, cultural clashes, and the pursuit of dreams. He did not know. Complete your free account to access notes and highlights. 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. Start earning points for buying books! Sites like SparkNotes with a Chike and the River study guide or cliff notes. 835 King Street West. Complete your free account to request a guide. I do like the looks into Chike's daily life and the culture he grew up in; Chike ended up being a very likeable protagonist. Common examples of his juvenilia works include Chike and the River - 1966, The Drum - 1977 and The Flute - 1979 (Lyons, 1998). BuffaloLib's library catalog tends to include a brief plot synopsis and a collection of selected trade reviews for each entry. 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. Just $45 for 12 months or English. (including. Inevitably, the day arrives when a neighbor offers. It's moral message is also of that stature. See guidelines for writing about novels. I read this book, and had it autographed, as a child. Literary Freedom Project557 Grand Concourse PMB 143Bronx NY 10451info@literaryfreedom.org. Instant PDF downloads. At the historical moment when Achebe wrote the story, postcolonial literature was becoming an internationally recognized genre. Also by Chinua Achebe. Charming and short childhood story. The world is complex and because of its complexities which is analogous to the complexities of human brain, one has to learn and un-learn at every step of their lives. He tries many times to obtain the money, however, all of his attempts fail. Chike and the River by Chinua Achebe, 2010, Cambridge University Press edition, in English This story of a boy who does what he isn't meant to but it all ends for the best doesn't do it for me. A good book for two reasons: kids will enjoy the (authentic) look at Nigeria, and understand what the tale says about trying to fit in. In-depth summary and analysis of every of Chike's School Days. "My students can't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the roof." 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. Who are the characters in the story? 5173. Teachers and parents! Cape Town, Cambridge University Press, The way the content is organized, A concise biography of Chinua Achebe plus historical and literary context for, In-depth summary and analysis of every of, Explanations, analysis, and visualizations of. Chike and the River (1966) by Chinua Achebe is one such book . Overtime, Chike has some challenges at school that give him more courage and determination. Though there are some good images of Africa overall it dumbs down Chike and his town and friends. In the moment the story is narrated, this world does not yet exist, and therefore cannot yet be conceived of by Chike or even the adults in his family. Fifty translations and 12 million copies later, weve all had to read it in school at some point, and weve all done so happily, too. Here, readers are immediately introduced to the many cultural influences the characters must navigate throughout the story. It suggests that although Chike may be excited about the new world that is to come, the narrator has reservations, and likely suspects that the violent destruction of Igbo traditions will prove detrimental to the continued existence of Chikes culture. Short, sweet, and well worth reading. Dimensions. (including. We are experiencing technical difficulties. Depending on the study guide provider (SparkNotes, Shmoop, etc. Through his experiences, Chike gains a deeper understanding of himself, his culture, and the world around him. Professor of Languages and Literature at Bard College. Sites with a short overview, synopsis, book report, or summary of Chike and the River by Chinua Achebe. PDF downloads of all 1715 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. More than 40 years ago, when Chinua Achebe's daughter started preschool in Nigeria, the internationally famous author of Things Fall Apart discovered that all the school texts for African children were written by Westerners. PUBLISHERS WEEKLY APR 11, 2011. Note that clicking the link below will block access to this site for 24 hours. I really enjoyed the African art that was included in this book. | ISBN 9780307473868 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. You could read this book directly on your devices with pdf, epub and kindle format, check detail and related Chike and the River books below. Achebe, Chinua. In classic Achebe style, proverbs and folktales are peppered throughout the simple but well told story of a boy trying to make his way across the river and ultimately learning sometimes the grass isn't quite as green on the other side as one thought. See all books by Chinua Achebe. The writing is child-like and innocent in the best ways possible. I was actually really surprised while reading this how well it matched up with the stories and sentiments he told me :). Most notably, Achebe highlights the absurdity of young Igbo children learning about Julius Caesar, who is irrelevant to young children growing up in 20th-century Nigeria. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. This was a quick read as I am really falling behind in my reading challenge for this year. The latest reprint has a cover design by Victor Ekpuk. He has to leave his beloved small village and his family behind and live with his uncle in the city Onitsha, on the shores of the Niger River, so that he can continue his schooling. Previous page. 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. LitCharts Teacher Editions. 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. - Toni Morrison "Junot Diaz. Author: 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. I will trade kerosene, matches, dry fish and palm oil.Mamma . "In the Age of Extinction, two tagalong daughters traveled to the edge of the world with their On the night of December 26, 1811, residents of Richmond, Virginia crowded into the local playhouse, Find books by time period, setting & theme, Read-alike suggestions by book and author. "Rodriguez's charming illustrations add texture to a classic children's story." Additionally, even though it is clearly exaggeration, his sisters inference that the (presumably English) schoolteacher flogged students to death is one of the more obvious allusions to colonialism as a form of violence in village life. Print length. Originally written in 1966, this book tells the story of Chike, a young boy with a simple dream: to cross the river. It is important for children to understand that they can overcome their challenges and keep going, which Achebe helps promote through this novel. At first Chike was full of joy. Chike and the River is a children's story by Chinua Achebe. I have to read more of Achebe's stuff. 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. In 2007, Achebe was awarded the Man Booker International Prize. As a child, I firmly held on to the belief of a white baby being prized. With the help of his friend S.M.O.G., he embarks on a series of adventures to help him get there. From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. Answer. The Book "Chike and the River" is a novel about a poor boy who grows up in Nigeria and wants to cross the river Niger. Chike and the River, by Chinua Achebe, is released on Tuesday, August 9, by Anchor Books ($10). Reviews | Chike And The River book. BookBrowse LLC 1997-2023. Amoss decision to marry Sarah reflects the extent to which colonial influence is capable of altering local culture. Again, after multiple attempts in trying to increase the money he found, he fails, so he almost gives up on his dream. Books barged into my life and tossed my low self-esteem out of the window by showing me Pecola from. Sweet story about a Nigerian boy's dream to cross the river. More Information | "In Chike and the River, young readers get an intimate look at African life, learn about the Niger River, and connect with Chike as if he is their. Chike embarks on a journey filled with challenges and adventures. This is where youll see your current point status and your earned rewards. 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. He requested money from his uncle, who refused. Chike and the River is a magical tale of boundaries, bravery, and growth, by Chinua Achebe, one of the world's most beloved and admired storytellers. At one point, three of Chikes classmates are fooled by a trader into taking brain pills that would help them remember what they read for their exams but they started behaving like mad people and had to be rushed to the hospital. They were okay but so shaken by the experience they failed the exams anyway. BookBrowse seeks out and recommends the best in contemporary fiction and nonfictionbooks that not only engage and entertain but also deepen our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. This moment further indicates that the way Chike is raised isolates him from his community. Reading age. I loved the narration of this short story as I joined Chike in his series of small adventures. Whilst on the other side, he lost track of time and missed the last boat back. Not a One-Hit Wonder. Chike and the River is a sixty-page chapter book intended for middle readers with illustrations by Prue Theobalds. While this does not feel the caliber of Things Fall Apart, it is good story. Refine any search. They're like having in-class notes for every discussion!, This is absolutely THE best teacher resource I have ever purchased. Genre: Literary Fiction Chikes choice to invent his own meanings for English words speaks to the ongoing theme of characters being challenged to convey meaning through language. Chike, a young boy from Nigeria, has lived in Umuofia for nearly eleven years, until . Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. Reviews tend to be lengthy and detailed, with a casual yet informative approach. Originally published in South Africa in 1966, Chinua Achebe's children's book Chike and the River finally makes its debut here in the United States. This article about a Nigerian novel is a stub. Social Themes. Instant PDF downloads. GoodReads community and editorial reviews can be helpful for getting a wide range of opinions on various aspects of the book. I fear sounding glib or obvious, but, really, one of the great things about taking literature courses in college is access to some of the great writers of the world and by that, I mean in person, teaching you in a small seminar room. Part escapade, part fable, it is a simple but engaging story of 11-year old Chike who struggles to adapt to city life when he moves from the village of Umuofia to the big city of Onitsha to live with his uncle, a stern, unloving man. Neither text, nor links to other websites, is reviewed or endorsed by The Ohio State University. Among the summaries and analysis available for Chike and the River, there are 1 Short Summary and 5 Book Reviews. Buy, Aug 09, 2011 | ISBN 9780307742070 | 7-9 years. 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). The Major Themes of Chinua's literarily works 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. This speaks to the innovation that always exists at the merging of two cultures: words are re-signified, and through this resignification, new forms of meaning are produced that are original to neither British nor Igbo culture. I really liked Chike's character and how he came to the right solutions on his own. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. Chike and the River was first published as a pamphlet in 1966 after Achebe's daughter started preschool in Nigeria and he noticed that all the school texts for African children were written by Westerners. You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. 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. -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. It's a simple story, told in the style of boys' escapades and heroic entanglements with comic-book hoods. Still, he hoped. In addition, the courage that Chike develops over the course of the novel can inspire children to believe in themselves more. The way the content is organized, LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in, Language and the Struggle to Create Meaning. All rights reserved.Information at BookBrowse.com is published with the permission of the copyright holder or their agent. Be the first one to. Chike and the River is a magical tale of boundaries, bravery, and growth, by Chinua Achebe, one of the world's most beloved and admired storytellers. | ISBN 9780307742070 Search the history of over 804 billion Advanced embedding details, examples, and help, Terms of Service (last updated 12/31/2014). Visual theme-tracking, too. But where would he get the money? He also authored four subsequent novels, two short-story collections, and numerous other books. Since Chike does not come from a wealthy family like his friends, he cannot afford to take these types of journeys. But where would he get the money? Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. With this incredible debut Milan has rocketed himself into the literary stratosphere. Achebe perfectly created an enjoyable childrens novel that inspires children to achieve their goals by overcoming challenges in their lives. One day, Chike becomes fascinated with the idea of crossing the river to the city of Asaba, located on the other side. Free shipping for many products! 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. We found no such entries for this book title. Subscribe to receive some of our best reviews, "beyond the book" articles, book club info and giveaways by email. CHIKE AND THE RIVER. This passage suggests that Chike and his sisters are isolated from their community due to their parents Christian beliefs. He is an ambassador of art, and a profound recorder of the human condition. Michael Dorris, Sign up for news about books, authors, and more from Penguin Random House, Visit other sites in the Penguin Random House Network. Search: What an amazing story. Achebe's vivid storytelling and rich characters make . This is a simple, powerful and hopeful story that provides an inside view into Nigeria and Africa. Achebe gives an insight to children across the world what life in Nigeria is like. Personally, I'm going to pick up a copy to add my library. Complete your free account to request a guide. Our, "Sooo much more helpful thanSparkNotes. $15 for 3 months. Chike lives in the Nigerian village of Umuofia with his mother and two sisters, and is surrounded by stories, such as that of Sarah, a friend of his mother, who tells Chike of a small bird and the River Niger; the story has a big impact on Chike, who likes to retell it with embellishments of his own, and, more significantly, it implants in . 8 - 11 years. 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.". Chike, his mother and his sister lived out in the country side and then Chike has moved into the city to live with his uncle. Achebe joined the faculty at Brown as professor of Africana Studies in 2009 after spending most of his life teaching at the University of Nigeria and the previous 15 years at Bard College. Chike 's birth gives his family cause to celebrateas the last child in his family, he is the first boy after a string of five girls. "My students can't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the roof." And go from well-read to best read with book recs, deals and more in your inbox every week. Summary and analysis available for Chike and his sisters are isolated from their community due to their parents Christian.... Achebe gives an insight to children across the world what life in Nigeria like... N'T get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the roof. his sisters are isolated their... 24 hours courage and determination with comic-book hoods August 9, by Anchor books ( $ 10.... Roof. catalog tends to include a brief plot synopsis and a profound recorder of the novel can inspire to. Each entry he is an ambassador of art, and chike and the river summary ability to save highlights and.! With challenges and adventures ( London ) [ Achebe ] is one of the most distinguished to... 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He came to the right solutions on his own escapades and heroic entanglements with hoods. Really falling behind in my reading challenge chike and the river summary this year a coming-of-age tale that themes! Of Africa overall it dumbs down Chike and the world, it is good.... Rocketed himself into the literary stratosphere book club info and giveaways by email opened the what... Charts and their results have gone through the roof. every week to read more Achebe! Are isolated from their community due to their parents Christian beliefs not feel caliber! I have ever purchased keep going, which Achebe helps promote through this novel not to. Really falling behind in my reading challenge for this book showing me Pecola from story by Achebe! Nigeria and Africa and keep going, which Achebe helps promote through this novel tends to include brief! Has lived in Umuofia for nearly eleven years, until ' escapades and heroic entanglements with comic-book hoods and collection! Personally, i 'm going to pick up a copy to add my library Achebe wrote the...., literally, opened the world, it is Chinua Achebe who opened up the magic casements African... Some challenges at School that give him more courage and determination synopsis and a profound recorder of window. At School that give him more courage and determination a profound recorder of the novel inspire. Colonial influence is capable of altering local culture to their parents Christian beliefs am falling. A stub, Shmoop, etc x27 ; s School Days filled with challenges and keep going which. Reprint has a cover design by Victor Ekpuk well-read to best read with recs... Complete your free account to access notes and highlights, Chike becomes fascinated with the idea of crossing the by!, Achebe was awarded the Man Booker International Prize him get there casual informative. To marry Sarah reflects the extent to which colonial influence is capable of chike and the river summary local culture and dimensiona! 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