46 pages • 1 hour read •
No Longer at Ease
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Book Brief
196
Novel • Fiction
Nigeria • 1950s
1960
Anchor
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
No Longer at Ease by Chinua Achebe follows Obi Okonkwo, a young Nigerian man who returns from studying in Britain to work in the civil service. Obi grapples with the clash between African and Western cultures, financial strain, family expectations, and corrupt practices. His idealism is tested as he struggles to maintain his principles, ultimately leading to a trial for bribery.
Contemplative
Challenging
Melancholic
Mysterious
Bittersweet
Reviews & Readership
13,178 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Chinua Achebe's No Longer at Ease is praised for its insightful exploration of post-colonial Nigeria, character development, and the protagonist's moral struggles. Critics highlight Achebe's powerful narrative and cultural commentary. However, some find the plot predictable and the pacing uneven. Overall, it remains a significant literary work.
Who Should Read No Longer at Ease?
Readers who appreciate Chinua Achebe's No Longer at Ease often enjoy exploring post-colonial themes, cultural conflicts, and moral dilemmas. Similar to those who favor Things Fall Apart by Achebe and The Heart of the Matter by Graham Greene, they are drawn to profound character studies and intricate cultural commentary.
13,178 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Clara Okeke
Clara Okeke
A young Nigerian nurse who shares a similar educational background with Obi, she struggles with societal expectations and her identity as an osu within her community.
Isaac Okonkwo
Isaac Okonkwo
Obi’s father, who embodies the intersection of Igbo tradition and Western Christian influences, serving as a catechist and emphasizing the authority of written words over oral traditions.
Mr. William Green
Mr. William Green
Obi’s boss in the Civil Service, representing British colonial authority with a staunch belief in European superiority, often showcasing a racist attitude towards Nigerians.
No Longer at Ease is the second book in Chinua Achebe's African Trilogy, sandwiched between Things Fall Apart and Arrow of God, which explore different periods and themes of the same Igbo community.
Chinua Achebe wrote No Longer at Ease in 1960, the very year Nigeria gained independence from British colonial rule, adding significant historical context to the novel's themes of cultural and personal conflict.
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The novel's title, No Longer at Ease, is derived from T.S. Eliot's poem "The Journey of the Magi," reflecting the protagonist's experience of feeling out of place and culturally conflicted.
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196
Novel • Fiction
Nigeria • 1950s
1960
Anchor
Adult
18+ years
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