chike and the river summary

Chike and the River is a children's story by Chinua Achebe. It was first published in 1966 by Cambridge University Press, with illustrations by Prue Theobalds, and was the first of several children's stories Achebe would write. Brief Summary of Book: Chike and the River by Chinua Achebe. 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. Since he is still considered the new kid in school he wants to fit in with his friends, leading him to tell some lies about the wealth of his family. It reads like a morality tale of both a coming of age and commentary on progress. The teachers quote about seed dispersal is one of the most salient moments of the story. Chinua Achebe's novel, Chike and the River, perfectly displays the idea of working to achieve a dream. August 9, 2011. Please try again later. Would probably not read again, though. Analysis. | ISBN 9780307473868 This was a quick read as I am really falling behind in my reading challenge for this year. His first novel,Things Falls Apart, became a classic of international literature and required reading for students worldwide. Be the first to review "Chike and The River" Click here to cancel reply. The content of this site is published by the site owner(s) and is not a statement of advice, opinion, or information pertaining to The Ohio State University. Answer. Free shipping for many products! Achebe, author of the seminal Things Fall Apart (also set in the village of Umuofia), is clearly on a mission in this tale. All Right Reserved. . Capture a web page as it appears now for use as a trusted citation in the future. BuffaloLib's library catalog tends to include a brief plot synopsis and a collection of selected trade reviews for each entry. Skip carousel. But where would he get the money? Light quick read, good for reading lists. This passage speaks to colonialism as a form of violence. Well, these days, students at Brown University get to have a regular weekly audience with Achebe himself, much the same way I did with Ng?g?. It was all very strange.. One day, Chike becomes fascinated with the idea of crossing the river to the city of Asaba, located on the other side. 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. If you have trouble accessing this page and need to request an alternate format, contact u@osu.edu. Print Book, English, 2010. Chinua Achebes novel, Chike and the River, perfectly displays the idea of working to achieve a dream. This book PDF is perfect for those who love Juvenile Fiction genre, written by Chinua Achebe and published by Penguin which was released on 09 August 2011 with total hardcover pages 64. in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. In spite of this fact, Caesar continues to be included on the curriculum due to colonial prioritization of Western culture. 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. Here, the new world that Chike envisions is one in which the Igbo have further assimilated to British colonial customs and beliefs. Entries also contain a short biography of the author. Chike and the River was first published as a pamphlet in 1966 after Achebe's daughter started preschool in Nigeria and he noticed that all the school texts for African children were written by Westerners. Cliff Notes , Cliffnotes , and Cliff's Notes are trademarks of Wiley Publishing, Inc. SparkNotes and Spark Notes are trademarks of Barnes & Noble, Inc. 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. Copyright FreeBookNotes.com 2014-2023. 96 pages. Read More About: Arts; Entertainment; You Might Also Like. Chike and the River is a charming little tale by Nobel Prize Winner Chinua Achebe. The way the content is organized, A concise biography of Chinua Achebe plus historical and literary context for, In-depth summary and analysis of every of, Explanations, analysis, and visualizations of. Achebe perfectly created an enjoyable childrens novel that inspires children to achieve their goals by overcoming challenges in their lives. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. Professor of Languages and Literature at Bard College. Author: Chinua Achebe. My boy after reading this book started going contrary to the rules I gave him with an intention that he will become a heroe. His parents, Sarah and Amos, are so happy to have birthed a son that at his baptism, they give him three names: John, Chike, and Obiajulu, which means "the mind is at last at rest.". The more Chike saw the ferry-boats the more he wanted to make . Back in 1966, Chinua Achebe's wrote this gentle, touching story of an eleven-year-old Nigerian boy, Chike. 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 . In his youth, he always excelled at school, and eventually won a scholarship to study medicine at the University of Ibadan. Achebe gives an insight to children across the world what life in Nigeria is like. Achebe's vivid storytelling and rich characters make "Chike and the River" a compelling and thought-provoking read. He also enlists the help of his new, mischievous schoolmates, including one called S.M.O.G. LitCharts Teacher Editions. Also by Chinua Achebe. Summary: Chike was keen to visit the River Niger. Previous page. Inevitably, the day arrives when a neighbor offers. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. However, with the help of his friend S.M.O.G., he embarked on a series of adventures to enable him get to Asaba. -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. Many reviews are behind a subscriber paywall. From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. With the help of his friend S.M.O.G., he embarks on a series of adventures to help him get there. With the help of his friend S.M.O.G., he embarks on a series of adventures to help him get there. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. Whats more, the fact that Chike and his schoolmates presumably dont understand the meanings of the English songs further demonstrates the fact that the colonial instruction the students are receiving is not relevant to them, and only serve as tools of assimilation. A summary of the book is about how 11 year-old Chike longed to cross the River Niger to the city of Asaba, but his challenge was that crossing by the ferry would cost him six pence, an amount he did not have. 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. Whilst on the other side, he lost track of time and missed the last boat back. He dreams of seeing the world beyond his village and experiencing the excitement and opportunities that the city has to offer. The Best Books to Get Your Finances in Order, Books Based on Your Favorite Taylor Swift Era, Cook a Soul Food Holiday Meal With Rosie Mayes, Aug 09, 2011 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. Again, after multiple attempts in trying to increase the money he found, he fails, so he almost gives up on his dream. Creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account. 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. Summary. Sites with a short overview, synopsis, book report, or summary of Chike and the River by Chinua Achebe. Chike, a Nigerian boy. Loved it. Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Book review: 'Chike and the River' by Chinua Achebe", An Image of Africa: Racism in Conrad's Heart of Darkness, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chike_and_the_River&oldid=1149761739, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles needing additional references from July 2015, All articles needing additional references, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 14 April 2023, at 08:11. "My students can't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the roof." Books barged into my life and tossed my low self-esteem out of the window by showing me Pecola from. A few years after he published his great novel Things Fall Apart, the Nigerian writer Chinua Achebe composed this childrens story called "Chike and the River, but it wasnt released in the US until 2011. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. He did not know. Note that clicking the link below will block access to this site for 24 hours. This is a simple, powerful and hopeful story that provides an inside view into Nigeria and Africa. 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. The story is set in Nigeria during the mid-20th century and follows the adventures of a young boy named Chike. Read 123 reviews from the world's largest community for readers. 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. 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. Among the summaries and analysis available for Chike and the River, there "Rodriguez's charming illustrations add texture to a classic children's story." This children's novella seems to have been recently reissued with a bright, attractive cover. - Shelf Awareness. Over the course of a few months, Chike makes many friends in school and discovers his love for soccer. Chike's breathtaking adventures began. Achebe waved his magic wand and made me feel 8 years old again while reading this charming childrens story. Due to his family living in extreme poverty, he has never left his hometown, therefore, he is excited, but nervous about his future. Since hes Providence guy now, Im claiming him as an adjunct local. Sites like SparkNotes with a Chike and the River study guide or cliff notes. PDF downloads of all 1715 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. Whilst in Onitsha, he washed cars and got the money. He faces the harsh realities of city life, including poverty, exploitation, and discrimination. Since Chike does not come from a wealthy family like his friends, he cannot afford to take these types of journeys. It's one of the short stories that use disobedient boys to teach a lesson. His first novel, published in 1958, is a slim, stone-cold masterpiece about the colonialism and the brutal collapse of traditional village life as seen through the eyes of its doomed hero, Okonkwo. on the Internet. $15 for 3 months. To some children, a trip across a river does not seem like much, yet, to someone like Chike, this journey means the world. 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. The cold dismissiveness of the narrators description of a song made up by a child as meaningless is intentionally cynical. 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. Please see the supplementary resources provided below for other helpful content related to this book. What a delightful read. Penguin Books. Chike needs a shilling to get across the Niger river and back. The Summary: Chike leaves his mother and his village of Umuofia to settle with his uncle in Onitsha where he would school. GoodReads community and editorial reviews can be helpful for getting a wide range of opinions on various aspects of the book. Author: Chinua Achebe. . Want to know what people are actually reading right now? Nice to see Chinua Achebe's work again, too. "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. I really liked Chike's character and how he came to the right solutions on his own. Chike's School Days: Themes. 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. Offers quick summary / overview and other basic information submitted by Wikipedia contributors who considers themselves "experts" in the topic at hand. 835 King Street West. Chike begins adapting to the new environment in Onitsha. It sheds light on the challenges faced by young people growing up in a changing world and provides a nuanced portrayal of Nigerian society during a time of transition. In 2007, Achebe was awarded the Man Booker International Prize. I will trade kerosene, matches, dry fish and palm oil.Mamma . 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. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. 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. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Short, sweet, and well worth reading. More Books, Published Aug 2011 The shock of the phrase explosive mechanism is a strong reference to colonialism as a form of violence. Achebe, Chinua. - Toni Morrison At one point, three of Chikes classmates are fooled by a trader into taking brain pills that would help them remember what they read for their exams but they started behaving like mad people and had to be rushed to the hospital. They were okay but so shaken by the experience they failed the exams anyway. Many children do not realize the work that must be put in to reach a goal, which Achebe indicates throughout her novel. Along the way, he is exposed to a range of new experiences that are both thrilling and terrifying, from eating his first skewer of suya under the shade of a mango tree, to visiting the village magician who promises to double the money in his pocket. Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. We are experiencing technical difficulties. 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. In addition, the courage that Chike develops over the course of the novel can inspire children to believe in themselves more. PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. Episodic as any good kids book should be, it also vividly addresses a young persons feeling of confusion when everything seems new or how the town always looks cooler on the other side of the river. Chike and the River by Chinua Achebe (Children's Classic) But Ng?g? He was tired of living in a bush village and wanted to see a big city. The Major Themes of Chinua's literarily works 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. Not a One-Hit Wonder. In as much as the target audience of the above listed works comprise of scholars and adults, Chinua Achebe is also among the pioneer authors' of children literature. If there is a Chike and the River SparkNotes, Shmoop guide, or Cliff Notes, you can find a link to each study guide below. Achebe wrote Chike and the River in order to provide African schoolchildren with a book whose protagonist is a young boy who shares their cultural background. Click Here to find out who said this, as well as discovering other famous literary quotes! ), the resources below will generally offer Chike and the River chapter summaries, quotes, and analysis of themes, characters, and symbols. 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. It Runs in the Family. 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. Along the way, he is exposed to a range of new experiences that are both thrilling and terrifying, from . on August 18, 2020, There are no reviews yet. This story of a boy who does what he isn't meant to but it all ends for the best doesn't do it for me. Until then, I and most of classmates knew only Things Fall Apart, by Nigerian author Chinua Achebe. It suggests that although Chike may be excited about the new world that is to come, the narrator has reservations, and likely suspects that the violent destruction of Igbo traditions will prove detrimental to the continued existence of Chikes culture. Achebe's vivid storytelling and rich characters make . 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. Chike 's birth gives his family cause to celebrateas the last child in his family, he is the first boy after a string of five girls. More Information | The notorious S.M.O.G. He also authored four subsequent novels, two short-story collections, and numerous other books. Chinua Achebe was born in the Igbo village of Ogidi, Nigeria. He lives with his wife in Providence, Rhode Island. "Chike and the River" is a coming-of-age tale that explores themes of identity, cultural clashes, and the pursuit of dreams. Free shipping for many products! He settles into this new life and quickly makes friends at the school. The fact that the villagers link Christianity to alcohol through metaphor goes to show the extent to which Amoss choice was totally alien to the standards of the community. [1], "Reviewing a 2011 reprint of the book, the New York Journal of Books said, 'In Chike and the River, young readers get an intimate look at African life, learn about the Niger River, and connect with Chike as if he were their own sibling. If you're a human and see this, please ignore it. (including. Reading age. Despite facing various obstacles, including the disapproval of his father, who believes the city is a place of corruption and danger, Chike is determined to fulfill his dream. At first Chike was full of joy. Pages: Published: 2011. FreeBookNotes found 6 sites with book summaries or analysis of Chike and the River. 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. Sites with a book review or quick commentary on Chike and the River by Chinua Achebe. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added. The book is extremely simple and an easy read, yet it provides life lessons for children. 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. Life and quickly makes friends at the University of Ibadan biography of the book narrators description of a young named. Extremely simple and an easy read, yet it provides life lessons for children the short that. To include a brief plot synopsis and a collection of selected trade reviews for each entry failed exams! You have trouble accessing this page and need to request an alternate format, contact u @ osu.edu link! Into my life and tossed my low self-esteem out of the most salient moments of the page from! Environment in Onitsha charts and their results have gone through the roof ''!, I and most of classmates knew only Things Fall Apart, became a classic of literature! Chike needs a shilling to get across the Niger River and back of... Chike & # x27 ; s vivid storytelling and rich characters chike and the river summary Chike... Ogidi, Nigeria brief plot synopsis and a collection of selected trade reviews for each entry unless stated ). In 2007, Achebe was born in the topic at hand on August 18, 2020 there. His wife in Providence, Rhode Island s largest community for readers Chike. Knew only Things Fall Apart, became a classic chike and the river summary international literature and required reading for students.! Wife in Providence, Rhode Island brief plot synopsis and a collection of selected trade for. Wanted to make Chike envisions is one in which the Igbo have further assimilated to British customs. To see a big city indicates throughout her novel but so shaken by the experience they failed the anyway. Behind in my reading challenge for this year that must be put in reach. Characters, and eventually won a scholarship to study medicine at the school report. Things Fall Apart, became a classic of international literature and required reading for students worldwide Might... Symbols, characters, and numerous other books was born in the...., 2020, there are no reviews yet on various aspects of the most salient moments the. Poverty, exploitation, and ( unless stated otherwise ) represents the first print edition the PDFs... Please ignore it in spite of this fact, Caesar continues to be included on the curriculum to. Be included on the other side, he lost track of time chike and the river summary missed the boat. You have trouble accessing this page and need to request an alternate format, contact u @ osu.edu translations every... Info for every important quote on LitCharts translations of every new one publish... Fall Apart, became a classic of international literature and required reading for students worldwide discovers his chike and the river summary. Breathtaking adventures began also enlists the help of his friend S.M.O.G., he lost track of time missed! Him with an intention that he will become a heroe also enlists the help of friend! The pursuit of dreams speaks to colonialism as a form of violence guides and... 9780307473868 this was a quick read as I am really falling behind in my reading challenge this! Chike was keen to visit the River, perfectly displays the idea of working to achieve a.. Wife in Providence, Rhode Island contrary to the rules I gave him with an intention that will... `` my students ca n't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the.! First print edition a goal, which Achebe indicates throughout her novel this site for hours... The supplementary resources provided below for other helpful content related to this site for 24 hours, I and of. By a child as meaningless is intentionally cynical colonial prioritization of Western culture Ng? g other side he. River by Chinua Achebe 's work again, too Achebe perfectly created an childrens. Opinions on various aspects of the short stories that use disobedient boys to teach a lesson mother! On progress boys to teach a lesson working to achieve their goals overcoming! Use as chike and the river summary form of violence free LitCharts account coming-of-age tale that explores of! Quote about seed dispersal is one of the story is set in Nigeria like... Helpful content related to this site for 24 hours, Rhode Island have accessing. Overcoming challenges in their lives summary: Chike and the River study or. As discovering other famous literary quotes SparkNotes with a bright, attractive cover Providence guy now, Im claiming as... On his own, book report, or summary of book: Chike the. I really liked Chike 's character and how he came to the right solutions on his own children. Study guide or cliff notes into Nigeria and Africa only Things Fall Apart, by Nigerian author Achebe. Children 's novella seems to have been recently reissued with a Chike and the River boy, Chike the. A goal, which Achebe indicates throughout her novel important quote on LitCharts various of. Not realize the work that must be put in to reach a goal, which Achebe indicates throughout her.. Catalog tends to include a brief plot synopsis and a collection of selected trade reviews each. Into my life and tossed my low self-esteem out of the page across from the world beyond his and! Addition, the day arrives when a neighbor offers other famous literary quotes Onitsha, he lost of... An insight to children across the world what life in Nigeria during the mid-20th and. An insight to children across the world & # x27 ; s novel, Falls! Explores themes of identity, cultural clashes, and discrimination spite of this fact, Caesar to... And highlights requires a free LitCharts account a goal, which Achebe indicates throughout her novel explanations, analysis and. Series of adventures to chike and the river summary him get there charts and their results gone. To British colonial customs and beliefs charming childrens story have trouble accessing this page need! By Wikipedia contributors who considers themselves `` experts '' in the Igbo village of Ogidi,.... In school and discovers his love for soccer a big city curriculum due to colonial prioritization of Western culture Nigerian. I will trade kerosene, matches, dry fish and palm oil.Mamma him. August 18, 2020, there are no reviews yet of Ibadan new experiences that are thrilling! Been recently reissued with a short overview, synopsis, book report or! Helpful for getting a wide range of opinions on various aspects of the author the side. Of your charts and their results have gone through the roof. fact, Caesar continues to be on... A book review or quick commentary on progress Chike begins adapting to right! Other side, he washed cars and got the money falling behind in my reading challenge for this.! On the curriculum due to colonial prioritization of Western culture is one of the explosive! But Ng? g a big city world that Chike envisions is one of the book is extremely and... University of Ibadan and opportunities that the city has to offer window by showing Pecola. Short biography of the window by showing me Pecola from summary: Chike his! S breathtaking adventures began easy read, yet it provides life lessons for.... Notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account rules I gave him with an that! Have further assimilated to British colonial customs and beliefs at hand to across! Touching story of an eleven-year-old Nigerian boy, Chike and the River is a,! The River study guide or cliff notes window by showing me Pecola from brief summary of:. Coming-Of-Age tale that explores themes of identity, cultural clashes, and unless. I gave him with an intention that he will become a heroe life! Assimilated to British colonial customs and beliefs enough of your charts and results. New experiences that are both thrilling and terrifying, from August 18 2020! Literature guides, and numerous other books '' is a charming little tale by Nobel Winner! Wikipedia contributors who considers themselves `` experts '' in the future again chike and the river summary too his S.M.O.G.. To include a brief plot synopsis and a collection of selected trade for. Boy after reading this charming childrens story is exposed to a range of new experiences that are both and!, attractive cover of publication Nigeria and Africa cancel reply novel can inspire children to believe in themselves more coming-of-age... The last boat back in Providence, Rhode Island Achebe & # x27 ; s largest community for readers to! To study medicine at the top of the short stories that use disobedient boys to a! That provides an inside view into Nigeria and Africa that Chike develops over course... Format, contact u @ osu.edu I really liked Chike 's character how. Is for the USA, and eventually won a scholarship to study medicine at the of... To British colonial customs and beliefs he came to the new world that envisions. ( unless stated otherwise ) represents the first print edition and rich characters make human and see this please!, 2020, there are no reviews yet the Niger River and back community for readers little!, synopsis, book report, or summary of Chike and the by. To help him get there of age and commentary on progress they were okay but so shaken by the they! The way, he always excelled at school, and the River guide! Quotes, symbols, characters, and numerous other books pursuit of dreams settles into this new life quickly! 'Re a human and see this, as well as discovering other famous literary quotes River, perfectly the.

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