Rating: 
Summary: First-rate literature
Review: "No Longer At Ease" deals with a theme that is well-developed by Achebe, i.e. the exploration of the interaction between rapid modernization (or, better stated, Westernization) brought to Africa by colonial (mis)rule on the one hand, and tradition on the other. I actually think this book is better than "Things Fall Apart," in which Achebe depicts the brutality of the outright conquest of an African society by a colonial power (in this case the British). In "No Longer At Ease" he shows the deep and drastic changes which occurred in society in Nigeria as colonial rule became established, and how this change warped social relations in the country. Society in the colony is no longer something created and maintained by the native Africans, but rather an imitation (or attempt thereof) of the colonial power's society. It lies somwhere in between, because it's not traditional, yet the natives are treated like second-class citizens in their own country. Through the central character, Achebe does an excellent job of evoking the alienation and frustration this engenders among those Nigerians who are Western-educated and urbanized, yet not really able or allowed to participate in decision-making in any meaningful way. Achebe is a truly masterful writer who can convey such a potent message through literature.
Rating:
Summary: A WELL-CRAFTED SEQUEL
Review: "No Longer at Ease" is an interesting novel, whose well-relayed story remains fascinating despite its age. It is a sequel to the more popular "Things Fall Apart". Thus, potential readers who are already acquainted with "Things Fall Apart" would feel at home in this niche.
The story which this book tells is captivating, exhilarating, and down-to-earth. It is another brilliant piece from Professor Achebe.
Rating:
Summary: A WELL-CRAFTED SEQUEL
Review: "No Longer at Ease" is an interesting novel, whose well-relayed story remains fascinating despite its age. It is a sequel to the more popular "Things Fall Apart". Thus, potential readers who are already acquainted with "Things Fall Apart" would feel at home in this niche.
The story which this book tells is captivating, exhilarating, and down-to-earth. It is another brilliant piece from Professor Achebe.
Rating: 
Summary: Another Boundary Erasing Work
Review: Achebe follows up Things Fall Apart with another insightful reminder that there s more of us in Nigeria or in Africa that we readily presume. Obi Okonkwo takes over the reins from Okonkwo as the chief protagonist and we relive his journey from Mbaino to the court system. Much of what we see in this novel is explicit in what we have seen in political history. Achebe makes no bones about Africa's long political past, or lack thereof at least by its native born black inhabitants, as a contended swath of land many times larger than Europe. British colonial history and colonial rule play into this story significantly for it is through those structures that we become sympathetic of the plight of Obi Okonkwo as well as the unseen thousands of Africans subject to rule as the colony of a European nation. Achebe dissembles the structure of Africanism and allows each reader to be a living, breathing part of this narrative. This quality and writing skill make him essential in any literature or history classroom. Normally, works of fiction are not a proper fit for history courses. However, this work, whether combined with Things Fall Apart or kept alone, will provide an African Studies, African History, or History of Literature course with many topics, some surprisingly contemporary, to discuss.
Rating:
Summary: Achebe shows us how reality contrasts with our ideals.
Review: Achebe's sequel to Things Fall Apart, he seeks to reconcile and give us a further understanding of the struggle between modernism and tradition. He gives us a view of how our ideals contrast with how we really live and exist in reality. The point of this book can be best summed up by Achebe's own words. He states, "The impatient idealist says: 'Give me a place to stand and I shall move the earth.' But such a place does not exist. We all have to stand on the earth itself and go with her at her pace." This book while centered mainly on the African identity crisis, gives a broad understanding of issues of right and wrong and moral consequences of individualism.
Rating: 
Summary: Very disappointing sequel..
Review: After reading the masterfully done "Things Fall Apart", I then read the sequel "No Longer at Ease", and found myself cursing at the author for producing such an unworthy sequel. The novel follows the grandson of the chiefian in "Things Fall Apart". The grandson is an honorable man, who tries to break away from the corruption that is all around him, and tries to overcome the old dead customs that prevent him from finding true happiness. But he finds that he isn't strong enough to overcome the past, and his people. He falls into weakness, and he is punished for it. We are left shaking our heads at how it all went wrong, and we also feel ripped off by the protagonist's ultimate weakness.
Rating:
Summary: Very disappointing sequel..
Review: After reading the masterfully done "Things Fall Apart", I then read the sequel "No Longer at Ease", and found myself cursing at the author for producing such an unworthy sequel. The novel follows the grandson of the chiefian in "Things Fall Apart". The grandson is an honorable man, who tries to break away from the corruption that is all around him, and tries to overcome the old dead customs that prevent him from finding true happiness. But he finds that he isn't strong enough to overcome the past, and his people. He falls into weakness, and he is punished for it. We are left shaking our heads at how it all went wrong, and we also feel ripped off by the protagonist's ultimate weakness.
Rating:
Summary: not as good as things fall apart, but worth the read...
Review: another painful book, a book about transition. pluses: (1) i could relate to the transitions; (2) i could relate to the temptations to cheat and lie; (3)i could relate to wanting to be a hero for "my tribe"; (4)a book about a wildly different culture from my own...that in many ways isn't really so different; (5)it's a sequel to "things fall apart", so the beloved characters (or their descendants) from that book LIVE ON! minusus: (1) not the most dynamic story; (2) not particularly emotionally or spiritually redeeming
Rating:
Summary: A Sensitive, Complex Novel
Review: Chinua Achebe's No Longer at Ease touches upon the chord of discontent and disillusionment prevalent among many foreign-educated Africans returning home. It follows the story of Obi Okonkwo (grandson of Okonkwo in Things Fall Apart) as he returns to Nigeria after a British education. As he attempts to break social boundaries and traditions, he is inevitably held back by his relatives, friends, and European co-workers. In desperation, he loses his sense of purpose and becomes one of many bribe-taking officials that he formerly despised, leading to a tragic end. In many ways, No Longer at Ease reflects upon the problems facing much of Africa today, corruption and tradition conflicting with progress. The western world may condemn their rampant corruption as Obi first did but it is at the bottom of a spiral of other problems. Chinua Achebe continues to use his characteristically simple style evident in Things Fall Apart for No Longer at Ease. He combines phrases in native languages and uses folk tales to illustrate examples. Unfortunately, the simplicity of the language does not serve to keep the reader's interest completely. At times it feels choppy and almost too simplistic, leaving out details that could serve to further the story. Nevertheless, No Longer at Ease is a remarakble parable of modern Africa.
Rating:
Summary: A Modern Africa
Review: Chinua Achebe's No Longer at Ease touches upon the chord of discontent and disillusionment prevalent among many foreign-educated Africans returning home. It follows the story of Obi Okonkwo (grandson of Okonkwo in Things Fall Apart) as he returns to Nigeria after a British education. As he attempts to break social boundaries and traditions, he is inevitably held back by his relatives, friends, and European co-workers. In desperation, he loses his sense of purpose and becomes one of many bribe-taking officials that he formerly despised, leading to a tragic end. In many ways, No Longer at Ease reflects upon the problems facing much of Africa today, corruption and tradition conflicting with progress. The western world may condemn their rampant corruption as Obi first did but it is at the bottom of a spiral of other problems. Chinua Achebe continues to use his characteristically simple style evident in Things Fall Apart for No Longer at Ease. He combines phrases in native languages and uses folk tales to illustrate examples. Unfortunately, the simplicity of the language does not serve to keep the reader's interest completely. At times it feels choppy and almost too simplistic, leaving out details that could serve to further the story. Nevertheless, No Longer at Ease is a remarakble parable of modern Africa.
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