Tayari's Blog: A Tribute To Chinua Achebe

Posted by TayariJones on February 27, 2008 10:22 AM
Filed under Living For The City

Last night, Evie invited me to A Tribute To Chinua Achebe sponsored by Pen America. I was thrilled because the event was sold out. The reason? Not only is it the 50th Anniversary of Things Fall Apart, but the stars were out over Manhattan to celebrate. The Great Ms. M-- that is Toni Morrison--, Edwidge Danticat, Chris Abani, Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche, Ha Jin, and other powerhouses took to the stage to tell the world how much Achebe's work means to them. (And let me tell you, it means a lot. We were seated at 8pm and didn't get out until after 10pm!)

Highlights:

  • Achebe said after completing Things Fall Apart, he sent his only copy to London to be typed-- via Nigerian mail! (My girl, Aisha, reading over my shoulder said, he really put Moses in the basket, didn't he?)
  • Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche grew up in a house formerly lived in by the Achebe family.
  • Chris Abani's brother plagiarized Achebe to pick up girls in high school.
  • In today's cult of celebrity, Achebe has achieved that rare feat-- his books are more famous than he is. In other words, these days, authors are often known by people who have not read thier books. Achebe's work is even more beloved than he is.

    No pics, sorry. There was a big sign saying "no cameras" and I was afraid of being kicked out. It was a literary event, but there were bouncers.

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