Achebe does a brilliant job of presenting a deeply flawed character in a light which is equal parts infuriating and sorrowful. At first, I was angry at the 'strong man' trope, seeing the clear ways in which it caused harm to Okonkwo and those around him. At times I even felt lofty for knowing a 'better' way of being... and then the missionaries started to creep in. These external forces drive much of the story and character exploration in the second half of the book. They show the danger of complicity in our patronising (albeit best-intentioned) judgement of Okonkwo and his customs, and they provide a springboard to explore the rationale behind his ways. Toward the end of the book, we begin to at least understand where he is coming from, empathising with his increasing frustrations until a sudden and bitter climax.
(5 Stars)