Reviews

Remote Control by Nnedi Okorafor

nekomata's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-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

3.0

This is my first African-Futurism, and first Nnedi Okorafor's book. 
It is very different from what I usually read, but I enjoyed it overall. 
A lot of reviews mentioned that this reads more like a folklore than sci-fi, which I definitely agree with. It feels like a slice-of-life and a character's study more than a typical Three-Act story structure. The ending felt sudden and open ended. 

We follow Sankofa / Fatima's journey and things just happens. None of which were fully explained by the author. I was left with a lot of questions. But according to an interview, the author said this was intentional. She mentioned that we as a society are so focus on the why to everything, that we sometimes stop moving forward until we iron it all out. With this story, she wanted to highlight the theme of moving forward despite the confusion. Sankofa's survival and journey portrays this. Horrible things happen and she is as confused as anyone else, but for the sake of surviving, she pushed herself to move forward; gave herself a goal (even though it was flimsy) and kept going. Once I understand that the ending doesn't matter, it's the journey that really counts, I was able to fully appreciate the book. This book focus more on the human experience than the action of sci-fi; what's it is like for Fatima to gain this unimaginable power that cured her sickness, gave her the means to protect herself, travels and see the world outside of her village, yet the same ability made her lost everything from her family, to home, village and self.

gabybenitez's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense 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? No

4.5

this novella really pulled me in from the first page — Okorafor’s storytelling skills are truly something else! this is such a fresh and near perfect story! I found myself only wanting a bit more interrogation of the themes that came up in the story such as:

assisted suicide, faith, and Sankofa’s powers/aliens.

But I understand why the novella format didn’t perhaps allow for expansion on that! All in all highly recommend! 

a_blerdandhisbooks's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense 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

5.0

marisa_dc's review

3.0

3.5
I don't think this should be classified as sci-fy, but more like a folklore tale with some technology elements here and there. Quick reading, open ending at least for me. I am not really sure how It really ended

thebritster101's review against another edition

mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

wondereads13's review

adventurous emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 I've always been very interested in Nnedi Okorafor, but, unfortunately, my first foray into her books, Binti, was a bit of a letdown. Remote Control was my second go, and I had a much better time. Remote Control is technically set in the world of another of Okorafor's books, but the worldbuilding is still fairly well-established. Also, the writing does a good job of skirting around the larger questions, developing a story that is more about the characters than the answer of what is actually happening. There are certain things that I would appreciate clarification on, but I can mostly look past that since Okorafor does a stellar job of developing Sankofa/Fatima and her relationships. 

almond's review against another edition

4.0

Interesting and unusual, but I have to confess I didn’t get it.

srhhelm's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

theangrystackrat's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad 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

Sankofa has been cursed and gifted by a mysterious seed that falls from the sky, granting the power over death. Haunted by the pain of losing her family and being hated by everyone - she journeys to find her place and a home to call her own. This was dark and sad, with little resolution to the plot. I love okorafor's world building and descriptions. I wish this had been longer though.

emilyforrer's review

4.0

This felt like a breath of fresh air in the sci-fi realm! I wish there had been more.