Posted by Chinenye on Fri 09th Oct, 2026 - tori.ng
Veteran actor Pete Edochie has shared why he believes one famous African novel stands above the rest.
(Veteran actor Pete Edochie. Photo Credit: Nigerian Waves)
Veteran actor Pete Edochie says Chinua Achebe's 1958 novel Things Fall Apart is the greatest book ever written in Africa.
He said the book is special because it tells an African story.
He doubts it would have been as popular if it had told the story of the colonisers.
He said many African writers have tried since then, but none has been as strong.
He urged African writers and artists to keep telling their own stories, since that is their real strength on the world stage.
He also said Africans have let foreign influence take over their talents.
He recalled being called Elvis Presley and John Wayne.
He says he enjoyed those names for a while, but later dropped them for a name that fits his culture.
He now answers to Uwadiegwu.
“The reason why “Things Fall Apart” is the greatest book ever written on the African continent is because it's telling our own story. If it had been telling the story of the White man, it won't be that popular. Many others have made efforts since then but not as strong as “Things Fall Apart.” — Pete Edochie
— Proper9ja Boy (@Proper9jaboy) October 8, 2026