Noted author to speak at U. on black lit

On Valentine's Day, lovers can enjoy each other's company, but those who do not already have plans can instead enjoy the company of esteemed Nigerian author Chinua Achebe. Achebe, best known for his novels Things Fall Apart and Arrow of God, will give a talk in Irvine Auditorium on Feb. 14 entitled "Celebration of Black Literature." The event will hold special interest for some freshmen, all of whom were required to read Things Fall Apart for the Penn Reading Project in fall 2002. "It's exciting that an internationally acclaimed author is coming to campus," College freshman Adam Dean said. "It's a good opportunity to see a well-known writer.... I'm definitely planning on going." The event -- presented by the Center for Africana Studies, Office of the President, Office of the Provost and Art Sanctuary -- also falls in the middle of Black History Month celebrations. "The issues discussed in [Things Fall Apart] are relevant in today's times with current international policy," Dean said. "It talks about white imperialism and going in and forcing your views on others, and I think that's really important." Other students said though they were not fond of the book, they were pleased to hear Achebe would be speaking. "I think it's amazing that he's coming," College freshman Jillian Ivey said. "I work in [Kelly] Writers House, so I love when we have guest authors come, but it's not something that I'm planning on going to." But for some students who enjoyed their summer reading for the Penn Reading Project, the event will be a highlight. "I'd read it before, but I think reading it in the context of the reading project was interesting," College freshman Kathryn Fleishman said. "I think it'd be interesting to hear the author speak." In addition to Things Fall Apart -- which has sold more than two million copies in this country since its publication in 1958 -- Achebe is also noted for his essays, short stories, poems and other novels about Nigeria. Achebe was born Chinualumogu Albert Achebe, in Ogidi, Nigeria, in 1930 -- the fifth of his devoutly Christian parents' six children. Since 1991, he has taught at Bard College, where he is the Charles P. Stevenson Jr. Professor of Languages and Literature. Achebe has received international acclaim for his work, including the British Commonwealth Poetry Prize in 1972 for his volume of poetry Christmas in Biafra and 28 honorary doctorates. His 1987 novel Anthills of the Savannah was named as a finalist for England's prestigious Booker Prize. The free talk will begin at 4 p.m. in Irvine Auditorium. Tickets are not required.