No Longer at Ease

Chinua Achebe is recognized as the father of African literature in the English language and one of the most significant writers of the second half of the twentieth century. He is described as a powerful voice for cultural decolonization whose work reminds readers that art has social and moral dimensions. His influence is noted by literary figures such as Toni Morrison and Margaret Atwood, who describe him as one of the greatest writers of the century.

Set primarily in Lagos during the late 1950s, No Longer at Ease takes place during the mounting anticipation for Nigerian independence from British colonial rule, which was achieved on October 1, 1960. The story follows Obi Okonkwo, the grandson of the main character from Things Fall Apart, who returns to Nigeria after receiving a foreign education in England. As a member of the Colonial Nigeria civil service, Obi finds himself trapped in a state of cultural limbo, caught between the expectations of his traditional village and the colonial world. According to No Longer at Ease, Obi's experiences reveal the pitfalls and temptations of a rapidly evolving society.

The novel explores the moral struggle and disillusionment of a generation of young Nigerians. Obi's conflict between his African culture and Western lifestyle eventually leads him to take a bribe, an act that illustrates the hypocrisy of a society where corruption is widespread. As noted in No Longer at Ease, the book debuted to largely positive reviews, with some critics arguing it surpasses the author's first novel by placing him at the forefront of West African writers.