With the help of his friend S.M.O.G., he embarks on a series of adventures to help him get there. Sites with a short overview, synopsis, book report, or summary of Chike and the River by Chinua Achebe. Over the course of a few months, Chike makes many friends in school and discovers his love for soccer. This clearly challenges the traditional social structure of the village, which seems to have been collectivist in the past. Here, readers are immediately introduced to the many cultural influences the characters must navigate throughout the story. Many children do not realize the work that must be put in to reach a goal, which Achebe indicates throughout her novel. It also adds complexity to the idea that the social structures of the village are being challengedthe neighbor alludes to the fact that Chike is an Osu, a member of the lowest class. Brief Summary of Book: Chike and the River by Chinua Achebe. Chike and the River is a magical tale of boundaries, bravery, and growth, by Chinua Achebe, one of . ), the resources below will generally offer Chike and the River chapter summaries, quotes, and analysis of themes, characters, and symbols. Uploaded by Summary and Analysis. Chike And The River book. Previous page. Creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account. If you're a scraper, please click the link below :-) Skip carousel. $15 for 3 months. Achebe presents the idea that nothing comes easy in a clear manner, while still writing an enjoyable, yet simple book for children to read. Inevitably, the day arrives when a neighbor offers. Complete your free account to access notes and highlights. (including. 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. Its written elegantly but simply, as befits a book for children, and the tale perfectly blends fable with adventure. Pages: Published: 2011. It does meander a bit like a young child's mind/life tends to (or like a river which makes part of the title) so there isn't a driving plot per se, but still overall a sweet story. 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. Originally published in South Africa in 1966, Chinua Achebes childrens book Chike and the River finally makes its debut here in the United States. I loved the narration of this short story as I joined Chike in his series of small adventures. Read More About: Arts; Entertainment; You Might Also Like. Genre: Literary Fiction Neither text, nor links to other websites, is reviewed or endorsed by The Ohio State University. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. Not a One-Hit Wonder. I think that this should be an elementary school book. Cliff Notes , Cliffnotes , and Cliff's Notes are trademarks of Wiley Publishing, Inc. SparkNotes and Spark Notes are trademarks of Barnes & Noble, Inc. Search the history of over 804 billion This children's novella seems to have been recently reissued with a bright, attractive cover. Many reviews are behind a subscriber paywall. Interesting story that had that told around the campfire feel. Chike begins adapting to the new environment in Onitsha. It's a simple story, told in the style of boys' escapades and heroic entanglements with comic-book hoods. This speaks to the innovation that always exists at the merging of two cultures: words are re-signified, and through this resignification, new forms of meaning are produced that are original to neither British nor Igbo culture. Chike and the River By Chinua Achebe Anchor Books Review by Deatra Haime Anderson. Still, he hoped.Eleven-year-old Chike longs to cross the Niger River to the city of Asaba, but he doesnt have the sixpence he needs to pay for the ferry ride. . Last spring he sat in on a course devoted to studying his vast body of work; Things Fall Apart was only the first of his many novels, poems, short stories, and essays. 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. -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. 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. Please try again later. Originally published in South Africa in 1966, Chinua Achebe's children's book Chike and the River finally makes its debut here in the United States. The reviewer gives their opinion of the book as well as provides titles with similar themes and subjects. The Book "Chike and the River" is a novel about a poor boy who grows up in Nigeria and wants to cross the river Niger. The teachers quote about seed dispersal is one of the most salient moments of the story. "Chike and the River" is a novel by Chinua Achebe, a Nigerian author renowned for his literary works that explore the complexities of African culture and colonialism. This book is definitely geared towards a younger crowd (9-13yrs) but enjoyable for older folks who are aware that it's on the lighter side of Achebe's writing. We are experiencing technical difficulties. LitCharts Teacher Editions. I'm not sure if it would really appeal to kids I know, even if I read it aloud; the English is so simple, I would have to inflect quite a bit. An alert reader will recognize more than one moral lesson gently woven into the tale. Because, as in all good folktales, Achebe wants us to know that a good heart, paired with curiosity and determination, can yield results beyond our greatest dreams. Nice to see Chinua Achebe's work again, too. This suggests that Amoss decision to go against the communitys traditions has so disturbed Elizabeth that she would rather trust in someone who has proven himself to be unreliable rather than stay in the religion that normalizes Amos and Sarahs marriage. However, with the help of his friend S.M.O.G., he embarked on a series of adventures to enable him get to Asaba. Chinua Achebe - Chike and the River, Epub Ebook. The way the content is organized, LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in, Language and the Struggle to Create Meaning. I am quite surprised that I found this book in the 8th grade section of my school's library. By clicking Sign Up, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to Penguin Random House's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and understand that Penguin Random House collects certain categories of personal information for the purposes listed in that policy, discloses, sells, or shares certain personal information and retains personal information in accordance with the policy. More Books, Published Aug 2011 Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. "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." The language is simplistic, to the extent that the booklet would do well as a children's book. Although he is concerned about the fact that his mother said to stay away from the river, this increases his curiosity even more. I read this book, and had it autographed, as a child. 5.3 x 0.28 x 8 inches. Language. "Chike and the River" is a coming-of-age tale that explores themes of identity, cultural clashes, and the pursuit of dreams. He saves up money by doing odd jobs and eventually convinces his father to allow him to travel to the city. Our, "Sooo much more helpful thanSparkNotes. At first Chike was full of joy. Unavailable. If you want to introduce children to Achebe, and you should, start at Things Fall Apart. BookBrowse seeks out and recommends the best in contemporary fiction and nonfictionbooks that not only engage and entertain but also deepen our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. For Chike, such strangeness is at the heart of everything, even as he goes to school and makes friends. also introduced the class to so many authors mostly ignored by the Western canon: Senegals Ousmene Sembene (whos also a great film director), Ghanas Ayi Kwei Armah, Cameroons Ferdinand Oyono. 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. 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. FreeBookNotes found 6 sites with book summaries or analysis of Chike and the River. 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. He did not know. Chike and the River. are 1 Short Summary and 5 Book Reviews. Sold by: Inspirational Books Category: Fiction. My boy after reading this book started going contrary to the rules I gave him with an intention that he will become a heroe. (including. 835 King Street West. PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. Why? Chike and the River (1966) by Chinua Achebe is one such book . Barnes and Noble reviews tend to be detailed and literary, with a brief plot synopsis combined with an analysis of the themes, historical and cultural context, and literary devices used. As he hatches scheme after scheme to earn what he needs, Chike begins to explore his new surroundings while adjusting to the odd rules of this new way of life. Capture a web page as it appears now for use as a trusted citation in the future. Chike is a young boy from the small village of Umuofia in West Africa. Chike is a curious and adventurous boy who lives in a small Nigerian village located on the banks of the Niger River. . 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. Though it has obvious references to Things Fall Apart this isn't really a worthy successor. Achebe joined the faculty at Brown as professor of Africana Studies in 2009 after spending most of his life teaching at the University of Nigeria and the previous 15 years at Bard College. Be the first to review "Chike and The River" Click here to cancel reply. 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. Publication Information. Achebe gives an insight to children across the world what life in Nigeria is like. Chike, a young boy from Nigeria, has lived in Umuofia for nearly eleven years, until . Chike and the River (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. Common examples of his juvenilia works include Chike and the River - 1966, The Drum - 1977 and The Flute - 1979 (Lyons, 1998). This passage suggests that Chike and his sisters are isolated from their community due to their parents Christian beliefs. 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. I fear sounding glib or obvious, but, really, one of the great things about taking literature courses in college is access to some of the great writers of the world and by that, I mean in person, teaching you in a small seminar room. Many children do not realize the poverty that many people experience across the world. Almost 20 years later, I can still see him in the room: Quietly intense but with a gentle, encouraging manner, Ng?g? This information about Chike and the River was first featured Chike is also the protagonist of Chike and the River, a childrens book by Achebe that he wrote to address his concerns about the understanding his children would develop about race, as they studied in mostly white schools in Lagos. By clicking SIGN UP,I acknowledge that I have read and agree to Penguin Random Houses, certain categories of personal information, discloses, sells, or shares certain personal information. Depending on the study guide provider (SparkNotes, Shmoop, etc. Cape Town, Cambridge University Press, It is important for children to understand life across the world, not just in their hometown. 5173. 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 . 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. Just $45 for 12 months or on the Internet. After finding a sixpence on the ground, he begins searching for a way to double his money to a shilling. Chike and the River by Chinua Achebe, 2011, Anchor edition, All of Chikes friends speak of the amazing River Niger and taking the ferries across it to the city of Asaba. - Shelf Awareness. I am not a parent but I had once been a child who grew up to be an adult, an adult who has to make her way through the intricacies of the world with the help of written words. Although this novel is considered fiction, children can easily relate to the characters in the novel. Loved it. It's one of the short stories that use disobedient boys to teach a lesson. But when the time actually came for . The tone of the book is rather juvenile, even for a children's story, and the ending ties up all loose ends rather too neatly for my likings. Personally, I'm going to pick up a copy to add my library. In classic Achebe style, proverbs and folktales are peppered throughout the simple but well told story of a boy trying to make his way across the river and ultimately learning sometimes the grass isn't quite as green on the other side as one thought. His mother had told him to stay away from the Niger river. Instant PDF downloads. The novel truly represents that hard work must be done to reach a goal. I do like the looks into Chike's daily life and the culture he grew up in; Chike ended up being a very likeable protagonist. In the moment the story is narrated, this world does not yet exist, and therefore cannot yet be conceived of by Chike or even the adults in his family. Achebe perfectly created an enjoyable childrens novel that inspires children to achieve their goals by overcoming challenges in their lives. was one of my all-time favorite teachers and became one of my all-time favorite authors anyone should get immersed in epic novels, from the angry, political classic Petals of Blood and the hilarious satire The Wizard of the Crow. The cold dismissiveness of the narrators description of a song made up by a child as meaningless is intentionally cynical. The more Chike saw the ferry-boats the more he wanted to make . "Junot Diaz. Summary: Chike was keen to visit the River Niger. Chike and the River by Chinua Achebe, 2010, Cambridge University Press edition, in English Chike and the River does well in tying in cultural ideas into a story interesting for children. ISBN 9780307742070. 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. It it arrives at its conclusion a bit too abruptly, there is still a great deal of pleasure to be found in seeing this world through a young boy's eyes. Chike and the river. The story is set in Nigeria during the mid-20th century and follows the adventures of a young boy named Chike. 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). What an amazing story. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. This is where youll see your current point status and your earned rewards. Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published. Reading about a boy who grew up so very different from myself and most if not all people around me was fascinating. 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. NY Journal of Books reviews tend to be written in a personal style, with the reviewer sharing anecdotes to illustrate what they like and dislike about the title. He also enlists the help of his new, mischievous schoolmates, including one called S.M.O.G. Read more. in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Answer. Chike and the River is a magical tale of boundaries, bravery, and growth, by Chinua Achebe, one of the worlds most beloved and admired storytellers. I enjoyed some of the short stories in this book, but at times it felt very scattered and slow. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. Chike's desire is rooted partly in the innocent ambition to explore and in his desire to fit in with other kids who have made the trek. We will keep fighting for all libraries - stand with us! Search String: Summary | He was tired of living in a bush village and wanted to see a big city. Chikes circumstances in the novel are extremely harsh since he cannot even afford a ride across the river. Teachers and parents! Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. -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. Struggling with distance learning? Along the way, he is exposed to a range of new experiences that are both thrilling and terrifying . 96 pages. Writers and intellectuals alike were grappling with themes such as colonialism and resistance in their work, and this cultural environment likely contributed to Achebes choice of subject matter. Its certainly how I developed a long love for post-colonial African literature, for which I can thank my professor at the time, the great Kenyan author Ng?g? "In the Age of Extinction, two tagalong daughters traveled to the edge of the world with their On the night of December 26, 1811, residents of Richmond, Virginia crowded into the local playhouse, Find books by time period, setting & theme, Read-alike suggestions by book and author. Since Chike does not come from a wealthy family like his friends, he cannot afford to take these types of journeys. Advanced embedding details, examples, and help, Terms of Service (last updated 12/31/2014). Chike is a model to children to not give up and keep going, no matter the circumstances. Basically a long-ish children's book, 'Chike and the River' unfolds with all the simplicity and wide-eyed wonder of a parable or a fable, gently moralizing along the way. As an example of postcolonial literature, Chikes School Days thematically relates to Achebes canonical novel, Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. Along the way, he is exposed to a range of new experiences that are both thrilling and terrifying, from . You'll be able to access your notes and highlights, make requests, and get updates on new titles. The shock of the phrase explosive mechanism is a strong reference to colonialism as a form of violence. In-depth summary and analysis of every of Chike's School Days. All Right Reserved. Chike and the River by Chinua Achebe (Children's Classic) Chinua Achebes novel, Chike and the River, perfectly displays the idea of working to achieve a dream. Overtime, Chike has some challenges at school that give him more courage and determination. All rights reserved.Information at BookBrowse.com is published with the permission of the copyright holder or their agent. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. 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. Publisher. PDF downloads of all 1715 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. LitCharts Teacher Editions. A delightful and quick read - part children's story, part fable. By choosing to marry Sarah, Amos has perhaps inadvertently chosen to honor the authority of Mr. Brown over the values of his people. Be the first one to. Until then, I and most of classmates knew only Things Fall Apart, by Nigerian author Chinua Achebe. Buy. . The tone is very much Achebe, and the illustrations, though also simple, give a little vitality to the book. Whilst on the other side, he lost track of time and missed the last boat back. Visual theme-tracking, too. Chike and the River is a sixty-page chapter book intended for middle readers with illustrations by Prue Theobalds. It is important for children to understand that they can overcome their challenges and keep going, which Achebe helps promote through this novel. He is the author of five novels, two short-story collections, and numerous other books. It exists at an intersection between languages and cultures that has not yet been reached. Author Formats: EPUB, Reviews (0) Reviews. Achebe, author of the seminal Things Fall Apart (also set in the village of Umuofia), is clearly on a mission in this tale. Teachers and parents! Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. 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. 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. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. It was just okay. Copyright FreeBookNotes.com 2014-2023. The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. Creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account. He faces the harsh realities of city life, including poverty, exploitation, and discrimination. Characters must navigate throughout the story is set in Nigeria is like said stay... 'Re a scraper, please click the link below: - ) carousel! Cultural influences the characters must navigate throughout the story choosing to marry Sarah, Amos has perhaps inadvertently to! Below: - ) Skip carousel '' displayed below reflects the author five... Pdfs of modern translations of every of Chike & # x27 ; s Days. Fiction Neither text, nor links to other websites, is reviewed endorsed! 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New titles author Chinua Achebe Books Review by Deatra Haime Anderson environment in.! Achebe indicates throughout her novel is like model to children across the world not. Should be an elementary school book capture a web page as it appears now for use a... Deatra Haime Anderson guide provider ( SparkNotes, Shmoop, etc to allow him to away... A big city with us values of his friend S.M.O.G., he is exposed a! Understand life across the world curious and adventurous boy who grew up so very different myself. Pick up a copy to add my library a boy who lives in small! Story is set in Nigeria during the mid-20th century and follows the adventures a! Heroic entanglements with comic-book hoods and slow reader will recognize more than one moral lesson gently into! Seems to have been collectivist in the past think that this should be an elementary school.. Capture a web page as it appears now for use as a child mischievous schoolmates, including called... 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