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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
I need more Binti. Hopeful for a quick sequel...
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
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:
Complicated
Yet, drowning in the waters of death gave me new life. Not drowning in it, carried by it.
I am in awe of how many aspects of this story author Nnedi Okorafor can touch upon in a book that is less than 200 pages while making it a satisfying read. She has threaded those themes that we found in Binti into Binti: Home with such deftness and has expanded this world with back story and a ending that feels very fraught for all the characters.
In Binti: Home, Binti returns home one year after surviving the attack of the Meduse and having facilitated a peaceful resolution. She is learning how to cope with her treeing and the powers she seems to have been given from the Meduse sharing their DNA (or whatever they are made of) with her. Panic attacks and nightmares still plague her from the trauma she endured. Her family seems welcoming but ultimately treat her horribly for something she did not ask for and for having dealt with a trauma they cannot understand.
One of the aspects of this book that I found intriguing and I hope continues to be explored is Binti's anger. She has no way of dealing with it as her culture is not supposed to allow anger and she specifically as a harmonizer needs to be neutral as much as possible. As more of that is dealt with, Binti has to confront the truth about her people's origins and what that means for her.
I loved the introduction of the Desert People, the expanding of the story of Binti and her edan, and how Okwu and Binti's connection is deepened in this part of the story.
Okorafor explores the topic of how survivors are often blamed for what happens to them and judged for how they change because of their trauma with a subtle hand as she uses Binti's family and community to give voice to that. The way that she also shows the reader how people can be divided and made to think they are better than those they came from because of a difference in their norms using the Khouse's treament of the Himba and the Himba's treatment of the Enyi Zinariya is done brilliantly.
Warning that this novella ends in a cliffhanger, so if that is something that bothers you, please make sure to pick up the next book before you finish this one.
Rating: 4/5 stars
Genre: science fiction
Format: Physical
I am in awe of how many aspects of this story author Nnedi Okorafor can touch upon in a book that is less than 200 pages while making it a satisfying read. She has threaded those themes that we found in Binti into Binti: Home with such deftness and has expanded this world with back story and a ending that feels very fraught for all the characters.
In Binti: Home, Binti returns home one year after surviving the attack of the Meduse and having facilitated a peaceful resolution. She is learning how to cope with her treeing and the powers she seems to have been given from the Meduse sharing their DNA (or whatever they are made of) with her. Panic attacks and nightmares still plague her from the trauma she endured. Her family seems welcoming but ultimately treat her horribly for something she did not ask for and for having dealt with a trauma they cannot understand.
One of the aspects of this book that I found intriguing and I hope continues to be explored is Binti's anger. She has no way of dealing with it as her culture is not supposed to allow anger and she specifically as a harmonizer needs to be neutral as much as possible. As more of that is dealt with, Binti has to confront the truth about her people's origins and what that means for her.
I loved the introduction of the Desert People, the expanding of the story of Binti and her edan, and how Okwu and Binti's connection is deepened in this part of the story.
Okorafor explores the topic of how survivors are often blamed for what happens to them and judged for how they change because of their trauma with a subtle hand as she uses Binti's family and community to give voice to that. The way that she also shows the reader how people can be divided and made to think they are better than those they came from because of a difference in their norms using the Khouse's treament of the Himba and the Himba's treatment of the Enyi Zinariya is done brilliantly.
Warning that this novella ends in a cliffhanger, so if that is something that bothers you, please make sure to pick up the next book before you finish this one.
Rating: 4/5 stars
Genre: science fiction
Format: Physical
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Xenophobia
Minor: Emotional abuse
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A really good continuation of the previous novel. We get to learn even more about Binti's life, family, and abilities while the story moves logically back to her home. Except home and you always both change while you are away. And sometimes home stays painfully in place.
I'm disappointed that the story ended so abruptly. I plan to read the next novel soon. I must know what happens next.
I'm disappointed that the story ended so abruptly. I plan to read the next novel soon. I must know what happens next.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This alien university is amazing! I love Binti's voice!
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This may be an unpopular opinion but I enjoyed the second novela much more than the first. I felt like I had a better sense of who Binti is and her struggles and the world. The pacing kept me interested.