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nyoom's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Car accident, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Death of parent, Fatphobia, Grief, Gun violence, Misogyny, Murder, Religious bigotry, and Violence
Moderate: Cancer and Rape
Minor: Medical content
rorikae's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
In 'Remote Control' Nnedi Okorafor tells the story of a young girl with the power of death and how this power affects her life.
Fatima loves spending time in her family's backyard, drawing large patterns in the dirt and spending time climbing her favorite tree. But one day, meteors fall from the sky and Fatima finds a seed that has potentially come from outer space. The seed imbues Fatima with the power of death and her life is permanently changed. After a tragedy, she loses her name and becomes Sankofa, walking from city to city accompanied by death.
Though 'Remote Control' is under 200 pages, Okorafor enfolds the reader into Sankofa's story. We are introduced to her first after rumors have spread about her powers and so we see her first through the eyes of the public as this mythical being who has the power to control death. But Okorafor then sends us back to Sankofa's origin story, when she is just a girl who loves watching the stars and encounters a seed that changes her life. As Okorafor unfolds the story behind the legend, we learn more about the tragedy and grief that have plagued Sankofa ever since she lost her name. Despite the short nature of the story, it fills every page and feels like the perfect length. Okorafor also utilizes the story to comment on large corporations that exploit resources and the impact that the fear of death has on different characters. It's a gripping story with so much to say. I highly recommend it.
Fatima loves spending time in her family's backyard, drawing large patterns in the dirt and spending time climbing her favorite tree. But one day, meteors fall from the sky and Fatima finds a seed that has potentially come from outer space. The seed imbues Fatima with the power of death and her life is permanently changed. After a tragedy, she loses her name and becomes Sankofa, walking from city to city accompanied by death.
Though 'Remote Control' is under 200 pages, Okorafor enfolds the reader into Sankofa's story. We are introduced to her first after rumors have spread about her powers and so we see her first through the eyes of the public as this mythical being who has the power to control death. But Okorafor then sends us back to Sankofa's origin story, when she is just a girl who loves watching the stars and encounters a seed that changes her life. As Okorafor unfolds the story behind the legend, we learn more about the tragedy and grief that have plagued Sankofa ever since she lost her name. Despite the short nature of the story, it fills every page and feels like the perfect length. Okorafor also utilizes the story to comment on large corporations that exploit resources and the impact that the fear of death has on different characters. It's a gripping story with so much to say. I highly recommend it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Car accident, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Gore, Grief, and Violence
_forestofpages's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Car accident, Child death, Death, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Murder and Violence
leahrosereads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-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
4.0
As I expected, this was a fantastic novella. Dr. Okorafor is an incredible storyteller whose characters, setting, and plot are always top notch! There's so much to unpack here on every page. It was heartbreaking and cathartic to follow Fatima's journey from start to finish. Highly recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Death, and Death of parent
emmyrandomreport's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is my first time reading African Futurism and it was an intriguing and beautiful journey. In some aspects, it reminded me of the African folk tales with a twist. Sankofa gets a gift that she did not ask for and struggles to control. Her only long term companion is a fox. She struggles to find her place in the world because of people's fear and their worship of her as well. She can't remember life before the gift or even her real name. It explores being different & given the choice to change, would you?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Body horror
Moderate: Violence
firefly's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual violence and Violence
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