This satirical novel is set in an unnamed African country a few years after independence. It is narrated by Odili, a young teacher who becomes bitterly opposed to Chief Nanga, a charming and popular government minister. Nanga seems to be a friend of the ordinary voter, yet he enjoys wealth and privilege.
Odili's personal rivalry mixes with political ambition as an election approaches. Achebe writes with wit and sharp observation about corruption, public cynicism and the temptations of power. The book is often praised for how closely it anticipated the political troubles of the region.
Quotes
What mattered was that a man had treated me as no man had a right to treat another—not even if he was master and the other slave; and my manhood requires that I made him pay for his insult in full measure.
America may not be perfect,' he was saying, 'but don’t forget that we are the only powerful country in the entire history of the world, the only one, which had the power to conquer others and didn’t do it'"
A man of worth never gets up to unsay what he said yesterday.
In Chief Nanga’s company it was impossible not to be merry.