Chinua Achebe's book party

Nigeria's Chinua Achebe is internationally renowned for his novels and short stories.

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He wrote 'Things Fall Apart' 50 years ago and to celebrate the novels golden anniversary special events were held around the world.

STORY:

It's been 50 years since Achebe penned his first book titled 'Things Fall apart'. His Igbo community wanted to mark this achievement in style.

The 79-year-old came in from the US where he now lives after a car accident in Lagos left him paralysed in 1990. Though the public address system at the venue was faulty, Achebe still delighted the audience with readings from his book.

'Things fall apart' has sold over 10 million copies, is widely studied around the world and has been produced into a TV series.

Achebe who's also a poet and literary critic has received several international literary awards, including the prestigious International Man Booker award presented to him in 2007. His son, Dr. Chidi Achebe collected the prize on his behalf.

Achebe managed to defy his critics and is today known as the 'father of modern African literature'.

He hopes he's legacy will continue to inspire more African writers so that they too can influence readers with real stories out of the continent.