Scan barcode
btwnprintedpgs's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Minor: War
jessthanthree's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Xenophobia, War, and Injury/Injury detail
keegan_leech's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Binti is really dang good. Especially because the book flies by so quickly (I listened to an audiobook version but I get the feeling the physical novella would also be a quick read) I'd recommend it to anyone with even a passing interest.
It's an excellent showcase of what makes Okorafor's writing unique and encompasses far more than its length would suggest. Despite all that, it's a very quiet, straightforward book and not as complex as a novel like Who Fears Death (perhaps my favourite of Okorafor's work). This is a strength—there's absolutely no fluff or filler—but if you're looking for a novel to luxuriate in and take your time with, just be warned that this isn't it. It's a very efficient sort of storytelling.
Thematically, I found it wonderful to see science-fiction about migration, culture shock, colonialism, and conflict that treats all of these themes with appropriate seriousness without being pessimistic or miserable. Like the best sci-fi, Binti presents a situation which reflects real-world conflicts and histories with complexity and depth. Democratic solutions don't come off as naïve everyone-sang-kumbaya moments, but as difficult and important moments which require empathy and critical thought. Similarly, none of the conflicts in the story are between a species of "evil" aliens and plucky human enemies, or some variation on the theme.
Binti isn't unique in any individual aspects, but something about it feels fresh, exciting, and different. I hope to read many more books which have that same feeling to them, and once again I'd recommend it to everyone who gets the chance to try it.
It's an excellent showcase of what makes Okorafor's writing unique and encompasses far more than its length would suggest. Despite all that, it's a very quiet, straightforward book and not as complex as a novel like Who Fears Death (perhaps my favourite of Okorafor's work). This is a strength—there's absolutely no fluff or filler—but if you're looking for a novel to luxuriate in and take your time with, just be warned that this isn't it. It's a very efficient sort of storytelling.
Thematically, I found it wonderful to see science-fiction about migration, culture shock, colonialism, and conflict that treats all of these themes with appropriate seriousness without being pessimistic or miserable. Like the best sci-fi, Binti presents a situation which reflects real-world conflicts and histories with complexity and depth. Democratic solutions don't come off as naïve everyone-sang-kumbaya moments, but as difficult and important moments which require empathy and critical thought. Similarly, none of the conflicts in the story are between a species of "evil" aliens and plucky human enemies, or some variation on the theme.
Binti isn't unique in any individual aspects, but something about it feels fresh, exciting, and different. I hope to read many more books which have that same feeling to them, and once again I'd recommend it to everyone who gets the chance to try it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, and Colonisation
Moderate: Racism and War
bisexualwentworth's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
This is the first book I’ve read by Nnedi Okorafor, and I will definitely be reading many more! This short novella packs in so much worldbuilding and plot and character work without ever feeling confusing or overwhelming. I am beyond impressed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Racism and Xenophobia
lovelyannalee's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
A really fun and cool take on identity, culture, colonialism, and knowledge! I really do wish that it was a bit longer because the ending felt a bit rushed and wasn’t as satisfying as I hoped it would be, but I still enjoyed it a lot!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Genocide, Gore, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Racism and Colonisation
Minor: Cultural appropriation
sarahaf712's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Suicide, Violence, Xenophobia, and Murder
offbrandclubsoda's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Violence, and Xenophobia
rorikae's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
In 'Binti' by Nnedi Okorafor, we follow Binti as she sets out for Oomza University and uncovers a plot aboard her spaceship.
Binti is the first of her people to be accepted at the galactic Oomza University. Heading out from Earth, she anticipates what she will find at the university. But then disaster strikes and Binti is forced to negotiate for an alien race that Oomza University stole from in the past.
Despite being a novella, so much happens in 'Binti.' Okorafor introduces us to Binti as she is already heading to Oomza University so we get to know her through her anticipation for her time at the university as well as her recollections of her life on Earth. There aren't too many characters but even those that we spend minimal time with feel fully fleshed out. Through details and very specific moments, Okorafor fleshes out the world and the lives of each character. The story is both a complete, intriguing plot while also clearly setting up the next stories in the series. I am so glad that this is a series as I can't wait to see where Binti goes next.
Binti is the first of her people to be accepted at the galactic Oomza University. Heading out from Earth, she anticipates what she will find at the university. But then disaster strikes and Binti is forced to negotiate for an alien race that Oomza University stole from in the past.
Despite being a novella, so much happens in 'Binti.' Okorafor introduces us to Binti as she is already heading to Oomza University so we get to know her through her anticipation for her time at the university as well as her recollections of her life on Earth. There aren't too many characters but even those that we spend minimal time with feel fully fleshed out. Through details and very specific moments, Okorafor fleshes out the world and the lives of each character. The story is both a complete, intriguing plot while also clearly setting up the next stories in the series. I am so glad that this is a series as I can't wait to see where Binti goes next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Colonisation
sofievg's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Not really what I expected, with more violence and less world building than I had hoped for. Still curious about the other parts in the series though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, and Murder
grandiose_r's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I enjoyed it a lot, though I do understand why some reviewers felt like the resolution of the main conflict happened rather quickly. Small gripes I had were how often there were descriptions of "this group's men do x, and the women do y", making several groups very very binary gendered. This binary gendering was especially weird to me when encountering the main alien species in this book, who are so distinctly non-human, and yet are immediately viewed with a male/female lens and, conversely, who make gendered (and at one point vaguely misogynistic) judgements about humans.
Also, there's a throwaway line about the main character not being proud of having some lineage from a certain people whose only description is that they have very dark skin and wiry hair. This was especially jarring seeing as how the main character's journey is very much informed by her experiences with discrimination, more precisely anti-Blackness and colorism.
All in all though, I enjoyed the storytelling, the worldbuildung and the character and will be reading the next book in the series.
Also, there's a throwaway line about the main character not being proud of having some lineage from a certain people whose only description is that they have very dark skin and wiry hair. This was especially jarring seeing as how the main character's journey is very much informed by her experiences with discrimination, more precisely anti-Blackness and colorism.
All in all though, I enjoyed the storytelling, the worldbuildung and the character and will be reading the next book in the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Violence, and Blood