Google Doodle Honours Chinua Achebe On His 87th Birthday

Chinua Achebe, Africa’s literary icon and a world-renowned author has been honoured with a Google Doodle as he turns 87 years today. This Doodle recognises the unprecedented and unequalled contributions of late Chinua Achebe to world literature.

In a glowing tribute, Google wrote: One man took it upon himself to tell the story of Nigeria through the eyes of its own people. Chinua Achebe (born Albert Chinualumogu Achebe) was the studious son of an evangelical priest. A student of English literature, he started writing in the 1950s, choosing English as his medium but weaving the storytelling tradition of the Igbo people into his books.

His characters were insiders — everyday people such as the village chief (in Things Fall Apart), the priest (in Arrow of God), or the school teacher (in A Man of the People). Through their stories, we witness a Nigeria at the crossroads of civilization, culture, and generations.

His pen brought to life the land and traditions of the Igbo: the hum of everyday village life; the anticipation and excitement of sacred masquerades; the stories of the elders and the honor of warriors; the joy of family and the grief of loss.

Considered by many to be the father of modern African literature, Achebe was awarded the Man Booker Prize in 2007. Surrounded by iconic images of his most famous literary works, today’s Doodle celebrates his legacy on what would have been his 87th birthday.

Daalụ nke ukwuu, Chinua Achebe!

Who is Chinua Achebe?

Chinua Achebe is a Nigerian novelist, poet, professor and social critic was born on 16 November 1930. He was raised in the Igbo town of Ogidi in South-Eastern Nigeria, After school, Achebe won a scholarship to study medicine, but he changed his studies to English literature at University College (now the University of Ibadan). He gained worldwide attention for his novel, Things Fall Apart in 1958. Chinua Achebe died on 21st March 2013 at the age of 82.

Style of writing

You can easily fathom the writing style of Chinua Achebe after reading several pages of any of his novels. From Things Fall Apart to No Longer At Ease And Anthills of the Savannah, his writing style are all the same. It is simple, spiced with distinct Igbo proverbs and it reveals his bias and love for African culture. Some of the prominent themes he explored in his book include colonialism, culture clash and more.

Books

His first novel Things Fall Apart (1958) is often considered his best and is the most widely read book in modern African literature. It is said to have made many across the globe that there is what is called African literature. His later novels include No Longer at Ease (1960), Arrow of God (1964).

He has won many awards. However, an award that many around the globe will like to see him win is the Nobel Prize for Literature. We hope he will be awarded posthumously.