Chinua Achebe is a multi-award winning Nigerian writer and one of the greatest African authors of all time. She is also the most translated, which is saying something, considering that she writes in English specifically in order to overcome language barriers. Her three most widely read novels form a sort of trio exploring the history of Nigeria during British colonization. By focusing on traditional Igbo culture, the novels provide a very human backdrop for the immense social changes that took place.

Things Fall Apart gives us a glimpse into Igbo culture during the period leading up to the violent British takeover of southern Nigeria. In addition to portraying gradual imperial encroachment, it also emphasizes the danger of hypermasculinity in tribal cultures. Our not-quite-lovable protagonist, Okonkwo, does everything in his power to avoid looking like his father, who is lazy and in debt and spends too much time playing the flute. Okonkwo works hard, fights even harder, and makes sure to beat up his wives every once in a while just in case.

Life becomes much more complicated when Okonkwo must adopt a boy from a neighboring village and begins to have all kinds of horrible, emasculating, paternal feelings for him in the years that follow. However, when the tribe decides to kill the boy, Okonkwo chooses to participate in the killing, lest anyone think he is a softy. Things go from bad to worse when Okonkwo makes a small social faux pas and accidentally shoots someone at a funeral. During his seven-year exile, Christian missionaries move into the village, symbolically leaving him totally helpless and out of place upon returning to his own home.

The second novel in the series, Not at Home Anymore, offers a more contemporary look at Nigerian society. On the brink of Nigeria’s independence, that is, some sixty years after Everything Falls Apart, portrays the corruption and instability indelibly etched into society by colonial structures. (You know, just in time for Nigeria to try to do their thing.) The story follows the blossoming career of Obi Okonkwo, an idealistic young politician who promises himself never, never, never! give in to the bribery and corruption endemic to his country.

We all know how successful literary figures are making negative promises to themselves, but in case you still have hope, add a younger brother in need of college tuition, the lifestyle of a flashy politician, a loan, a break-in, a forbidden love. (no, really, forbidden) with a shunned member of Igbo society and an expensive/controversial medical procedure. The image we are left with is of a social structure that is not only completely at odds with the surrounding culture, but is also not equipped to promote the good intentions of individuals.

Arrow of God, the third in Achebe’s series, is something of a midway sequel, depicting the decline of Igbo culture during the period between Things Fall Apart and No Longer at Ease. Set in the Umuaro region, the story tells of an Igbo village led by the priest Ezeulu. Umuaro and the neighboring region of Okperi, led by a wealthy upstart named Nwaka, are on the brink of a war that the British colonial government has kept frozen for five years. While Ezeulu and his people worship the god Ulu, Nwaka supports a lesser god, Idemili, probably just to anger Ezeulu.

War or no war, these five years of resentment have had a devastating effect on the community. The people within Umuaro stop trusting each other, and even worse, Ezeulu and Nwaka’s respective followers start poisoning each other. Meanwhile, Christian missionaries are taking advantage of the situation by offering an alternative to both sides of the dispute. Combine this with an unsolicited appointment to the local British government, religious resistance, an arrest, and some holy yams gone horribly wrong, and you’ve got front-row tickets to the fragmentation of tribal society under colonialism.