By our reporter 9.10.2026
Veteran Nollywood actor Peter Edochie believes ‘Things Fall Apart’ by Chinua Achebe is the greatest literature book that that has ever been written in the African continent.
In 1985 Edochie played the main character “Okonkwo” in a TV adaptation of the epic novel first published in 1958.
He said the book tells the African story from an African perspective, hence its popularity around the world.
“The reason Things Fall Apart is the greatest book ever written on the African continent is because it is telling our own story,” Edochie said in a recent interview with TV3
“If it had been telling the story of the colonialists, it won’t be that popular. Many others have made efforts since then but not as strong as ‘Things Fall Apart’.”
Edochie said African writers and creatives should draw more inspiration from their history, culture and lived experiences, describing these as important assets in presenting the continent to a global audience.
He also expressed concern that foreign cultural influences had overshadowed aspects of African identity, saying creatives should take greater pride in their indigenous heritage.
