Chike and the river. -Graham S. Chikes School Days takes place around the same time that Achebe himself was growing upthe beginning stages of the British occupation of Nigeria. Many reviews are behind a subscriber paywall. If you're a scraper, please click the link below :-) With the help of his friend S.M.O.G., he embarks on a series of adventures to help him get there. - Toni Morrison 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.". It can be inferred, then, that if members continue converting to Christianity, relatively isolated nuclear families the village will soon become the norm in the village. - Shelf Awareness. In spite of this fact, Caesar continues to be included on the curriculum due to colonial prioritization of Western culture. You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. He also authored four subsequent novels, two short-story collections, and numerous other books. Again, after multiple attempts in trying to increase the money he found, he fails, so he almost gives up on his dream. 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. Chike and the River By Chinua Achebe Anchor Books Review by Deatra Haime Anderson. -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. - Publishers Weekly This information about Chike and the River was first featured in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter.Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. Interesting story that had that told around the campfire feel. Publisher. A summary of the book is about how 11 year-old Chike longed to cross the River Niger to the city of Asaba, but his challenge was that crossing by the ferry would cost him six pence, an amount he did not have. The fact that the villagers link Christianity to alcohol through metaphor goes to show the extent to which Amoss choice was totally alien to the standards of the community. 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. Professor of Languages and Literature at Bard College. Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Book review: 'Chike and the River' by Chinua Achebe", An Image of Africa: Racism in Conrad's Heart of Darkness, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chike_and_the_River&oldid=1149761739, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles needing additional references from July 2015, All articles needing additional references, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 14 April 2023, at 08:11. When serendipity leads to a delightful read. Author: This children's novella seems to have been recently reissued with a bright, attractive cover. His mother had told him to stay away from the Niger river. Although many children cannot relate to the character directly, it is common for kids to want something, but they do not believe that they can achieve their goal. "African literature is incomplete and unthinkable without the works of Chinua Achebe." Further suggestions might be found on the article's talk page. Achebe presents the idea that nothing comes easy in a clear manner, while still writing an enjoyable, yet simple book for children to read. Once he finally makes it across the river, Chike realizes that life on the other side is far different from his expectations, and he must find the courage within him to make it home. The main piece of advice she gives to Chike is to stay clear of the River Niger. "Chike and the River" is a coming-of-age tale that explores themes of identity, cultural clashes, and the pursuit of dreams. Book Review by Kam Williams. Sites like SparkNotes with a Chike and the River study guide or cliff notes. Also by Chinua Achebe. By choosing to marry Sarah, Amos has perhaps inadvertently chosen to honor the authority of Mr. Brown over the values of his people. Along the way, Chike learns valuable lessons about life, love, and the complexities of human nature. In Umuofia every thief was known, but here [in Onitsha] even people who lived under the same roof were strangers to one another. 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. My husband is Nigerian and based on the stories about school he's told me, this seems pretty accurate! All of Chikes friends speak of the amazing River Niger and taking the ferries across it to the city of Asaba. Would probably not read again, though. Chinua Achebe - Chike and the River, Epub Ebook. 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. Because English is not Chikes native languagerather, it is imposed on him through colonialismChike is forced to create his own definitions. Along the way, he is exposed to a range of new experiences that are both thrilling and terrifying . You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. Brief Summary of Book: Chike and the River by Chinua Achebe. Chike and the River does well in tying in cultural ideas into a story interesting for children. But when the time actually came for . Achebe wrote Chike and the River in order to provide African schoolchildren with a book whose protagonist is a young boy who shares their cultural background. Social Themes. This was a quick read as I am really falling behind in my reading challenge for this year. My students love how organized the handouts are and enjoy tracking the themes as a class., Requesting a new guide requires a free LitCharts account. on August 18, 2020, There are no reviews yet. Not a One-Hit Wonder. If you have 30 minutes and any interest, this tale by Achebe will charm you. 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 . The Best Books to Get Your Finances in Order, Books Based on Your Favorite Taylor Swift Era, Cook a Soul Food Holiday Meal With Rosie Mayes, Aug 09, 2011 (originally published in South Africa by Cambridge University Press in 1966) tells the tale of a young man who leaves his small village of Umuofia to live with his uncle in the big city of Onitsha. Intermediate teachers would enjoy sharing this small chapter book with their students. In the end, Chike does indeed cross the river, only to discover that even though the shining city of Asaba isnt what he expects, it all ends better than he ever imagined. Whilst in Onitsha, he washed cars and got the money. Chike and the River, by Chinua Achebe, is released on Tuesday, August 9, by Anchor Books ($10). Uploaded by Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1715 titles we cover. 5173. Books barged into my life and tossed my low self-esteem out of the window by showing me Pecola from. This is where youll see your current point status and your earned rewards. Article The cold dismissiveness of the narrators description of a song made up by a child as meaningless is intentionally cynical. Sites with a short overview, synopsis, book report, or summary of Chike and the River by Chinua Achebe. Episodic as any good kids book should be, it also vividly addresses a young persons feeling of confusion when everything seems new or how the town always looks cooler on the other side of the river. 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. Skip carousel. Instant downloads of all 1715 LitChart PDFs The way the content is organized, LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in, Language and the Struggle to Create Meaning. Then one day his mother told him that he would be going to Onitsha in the new year to live with his uncle. Chinua Achebe is the David and Marianna Fisher University Professor and Professor of Africana Studies at Brown University. "Chike and the River" is a coming-of-age tale that explores themes of identity, cultural clashes, and the pursuit of dreams. The notorious S.M.O.G. It's moral message is also of that stature. 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. We found no such entries for this book title. In his youth, he always excelled at school, and eventually won a scholarship to study medicine at the University of Ibadan. It Runs in the Family. Publisher Penguin Group. It is forbidden to copy anything for publication elsewhere without written permission from the copyright holder. Read 123 reviews from the world's largest community for readers. 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. "Without a single sensational slip, this succinct little reading delight is an even-handed slice of life that depicts poverty and hardship realistically but with a dignified reserve, as a very likable young Nigerian boy learns the tough lessons of life, with honors." While this does not feel the caliber of Things Fall Apart, it is good story. Spam Free: Your email is never shared with anyone; opt out any time. Chike and his friends make you remember childhood as a time of dreams, friends and all the good and bad that come with them, warnings from adults and brave acts of discovery each day. In this moment, the students heavy accents betray their inability to discover or create meaning in the English language. Genre: Literary Fiction I was actually really surprised while reading this how well it matched up with the stories and sentiments he told me :). web pages Advanced embedding details, examples, and help, Terms of Service (last updated 12/31/2014). 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). Chinua Achebewas born in Nigeria in 1930. But Ng?g? At the heart of Chikes transformation is his curiosity about the Niger River and his deep desire to cross it and experience the seductively beckoning city of Asaba on the other side. All Right Reserved. It was a great story that wasn't too drawn out, but showed than innately we all know the right actions to take in most situations. The story is set in Nigeria during the mid-20th century and follows the adventures of a young boy named Chike. 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. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. Want to know what people are actually reading right now? 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. Since hes Providence guy now, Im claiming him as an adjunct local. Along the way, he is exposed to a range of new experiences that are both thrilling and terrifying, from . LitCharts Teacher Editions. Mustve been quite an experience for the students, if a little intimidating. Formats: EPUB, Reviews (0) Reviews. While it can be assumed that Chikes peers grow up eating in neighbors houses and being cared for by various adults in the community, Chike and his sisters have only their parents to rely on. Neither text, nor links to other websites, is reviewed or endorsed by The Ohio State University. Since he is still considered the new kid in school he wants to fit in with his friends, leading him to tell some lies about the wealth of his family. August 9, 2011. "My students can't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the roof." Join BookBrowse today to start discovering exceptional books! Instant downloads of all 1715 LitChart PDFs But where would he get the money? Entries also contain a short biography of the author. At the historical moment when Achebe wrote the story, postcolonial literature was becoming an internationally recognized genre. Though there are some good images of Africa overall it dumbs down Chike and his town and friends. The more Chike saw the ferry-boats the more he wanted to make . More Information | Analysis. Many children do not realize the work that must be put in to reach a goal, which Achebe indicates throughout her novel. A class blog on conversations about international children's literature maintained by Nithya Sivashankar's students, Book review: Chike and the River, By Chinua Achebe. As the story goes, Achebe wrote it when his daughter was entering preschool in Nigeria. Chike and the River, by Chinua Achebe, is released on Tuesday, August 9, by Anchor Books ($10). At 94 pages of large type, its a quick read that demands re-reading, an evocative tale matched by woodcut-style illustrations from Edel Rodriguez, a Boston magazine contributing artist. Welcome to the LitCharts study guide on Chinua Achebe's Chikes School Days. (including. Well, these days, students at Brown University get to have a regular weekly audience with Achebe himself, much the same way I did with Ng?g?. The more Chike saw the ferry-boats the more he wanted to make the trip to Asaba. It's a simple story, told in the style of boys' escapades and heroic entanglements with comic-book hoods. Achebe gifts us with a short tale about Chike, a pre-teen, who is fixated on his desire to cross the river on a ferry boat. Achebe's vivid storytelling and rich characters make "Chike and the River" a compelling and thought-provoking read. Though it has obvious references to Things Fall Apart this isn't really a worthy successor. Free shipping for many products! Loved it. Reading age. Chike defiantly going to see the ferry becomes a heroe. 2010. Read An Excerpt. What a delightful read. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. Although this novel is considered fiction, children can easily relate to the characters in the novel. | 7-9 years Reviews tend to be lengthy and detailed, with a casual yet informative approach. Why is your favorite about chike and the river. Chike, a Nigerian boy. He has heard many great stories about living in a big city, yet, his mother warns him of the dangers of living in a place like Onitsha. Originally written in 1966, this book tells the story of Chike, a young boy with a simple dream: to cross the river. Chike and the River is a children's story by Chinua Achebe. They're like having in-class notes for every discussion!, This is absolutely THE best teacher resource I have ever purchased. Author Just $45 for 12 months or In this atmospheric debut, a young Native girl investigates the mysterious disappearance of women from her tribe's reservation. PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. Like the narrator, Chike, Chinua Achebe was part of the first generation among his family to be raised Christian rather than within the traditional Igbo religion. Along the way, he is exposed to a range of new experiences that are both thrilling and terrifying . Personally, I'm going to pick up a copy to add my library. Reviews | PDF downloads of all 1715 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. 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. Search the history of over 804 billion BookBrowse LLC 1997-2023. Here, readers are immediately introduced to the many cultural influences the characters must navigate throughout the story. 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 . Chike was told by his uncles servant that sometimes a man died in one room and his neighbor in the next room would be playing his gramophone. Story by Chinua Achebe, is released on Tuesday, August 9, by Anchor Books ( $ )! While this does not feel the caliber of Things Fall Apart this is n't really worthy! Africa overall it dumbs down Chike and the pursuit of dreams ( $ ).: this children 's novella seems to have been recently reissued with a short biography of the description! 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