I picked this up having read several of Chinua Achebe's novels and not noticing that it was a collection of essays. I'm not generally a reader of essays, but really enjoyed this as thought-provoking, interesting and well-written. I don't necessarily agree with all the conclusions drawn, but I don't think that's the point of essays in any case. ( )

This book is sometimes dated, and I found Achebe's voice pompous at times. This might be his reaction to having to continually defend the value of African-based writing to a western audience. However, I noticed the same thing earlier this year when I read [Things Fall Apart]. At the time, I attributed this to Achebe using a story-telling technique derived from an oral tradition. However, now I wonder if it was just his personality.
The book was probably good for background on African literature. The last essay "Chi in Igbo Cosmology' was very interesting.
I was struck by the following passage when Achebe talks about recovering oral traditions. "There is of course the 'scientific' way as well--the tape-recorded interview with old people. Unfortunately it is often more impressive than useful. The old people who have the information we seek will not often bare their hearts to any passer-by. They will give answers, and true answers to. But there is truth and there is truth." ( )