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colerate's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Blood, and Violence
erebus53's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
This is a book that hinges on the deeply human need for family, and place, and also our innate curiosity and exploration. Many themes are contrasted in a seamless flow that ties into the reader's experiences in personal and relevant ways. Binti is at the same time both a deeply logical mathematician and a whole and emotional human girl. She uses her talents in mathematics to earn a scholarship to go offworld to university, and leaves without her family's blessing, not knowing what she is getting herself into. This is a coming of age story with twists, and is an allegory for the child who leaves their home and becomes a new person in a new place, not knowing how they will fit back into their home should they return.
Daubing herself, in the traditions of her people, with red clay from her homeland, she does not know if her new place will even have that clay, which is part of her cultural identity. When calamity strikes she must use her power to find harmony in treacherous situations.
This is a short read, but deeply engaging. Nnedi Okorafo explores the bigotry that that is shown toward people of unfamiliar ethnic minority, and how pride and honour can be preserved inside a person even when they feel the need to hold their tongue to avoid conflicts. She emphasises how through focusing on our similarities we can form bonds of friendship and even kinship with others.
I'm in a conflicted place when I consider the messaging in this story. Ultimately there is an element of needing to change who one is, to survive in hostile environments, which is a testament to the adaptability of humans in general, but at what cost? And isn't it always the way, that it is those who are oppressed who have that change forced upon them, and then just need to find a way to be okay with that?
I can see why this story won awards, and it would be a great club book, or conversation starter for the classroom.
Daubing herself, in the traditions of her people, with red clay from her homeland, she does not know if her new place will even have that clay, which is part of her cultural identity. When calamity strikes she must use her power to find harmony in treacherous situations.
This is a short read, but deeply engaging. Nnedi Okorafo explores the bigotry that that is shown toward people of unfamiliar ethnic minority, and how pride and honour can be preserved inside a person even when they feel the need to hold their tongue to avoid conflicts. She emphasises how through focusing on our similarities we can form bonds of friendship and even kinship with others.
I'm in a conflicted place when I consider the messaging in this story. Ultimately there is an element of needing to change who one is, to survive in hostile environments, which is a testament to the adaptability of humans in general, but at what cost? And isn't it always the way, that it is those who are oppressed who have that change forced upon them, and then just need to find a way to be okay with that?
I can see why this story won awards, and it would be a great club book, or conversation starter for the classroom.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Death, Racism, Blood, Gore, and Grief
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
keeganrb's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Racism and Xenophobia
tinyjude's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
3.5
I'm not the biggest fan of medusas or these type of animals but it was interesting nonetheless. Sometimes it was a bit repetitive.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Racism
Moderate: Classism, Genocide, Blood, Body horror, Mass/school shootings, Murder, and War
emilywasbored's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Blood
Moderate: Racism and Xenophobia
thecatconstellation's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
4.5
A quick sci-fi read with some fantasy notes. I really enjoyed this and am excited to read the others in the series. Interesting characters and plot. Mix of quick plot progression and introspection about identity and home.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Confinement, Racism, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: War, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, and Grief
relearning2read's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
I knew this novella had won many awards and so I guess I was expecting more from it. It was fine. The ending felt rushed and too many things got resolved by her just knowing what to do and then people agreeing, rather than the resolution really feeling earned
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Xenophobia, Mass/school shootings, and Violence
Moderate: Blood
tallbox's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Blood, and Violence
Moderate: Racism
blackcatkai's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
CW: blood, violence, death, racism, non-consensual touching, bullying
this was amazing and I can't wait to continue with the story. this was my first okorafor and I am ABSOLUTELY going to read more of her work in the future. I can see why this won awards! the world building in such a short novella is outstanding.
this was amazing and I can't wait to continue with the story. this was my first okorafor and I am ABSOLUTELY going to read more of her work in the future. I can see why this won awards! the world building in such a short novella is outstanding.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Racism
Moderate: Blood, Bullying, and Death
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: Blood, Murder, Racism, and Violence
Minor: War