Reviews

Remote Control by Nnedi Okorafor

timinbc's review against another edition

5.0

Another clever use of the novella format, with what feels like a full novel done in deft strokes, with exactly the right details omitted. Fatima/Sankofa is quite believable despite her odd talent. And I liked the way we didn't edge slowly into discovering her talent, as so many other authors have; it hit hard, and it hurt.

She ends up on a sort of vague Quest (hey, ya gotta use SOMEthing as the plot framework) that is also believable and compelling.

There's sociopolitical commentary here, too, gently introduced and gradually ramped up.

I loved her name for the fox, but the reader can discover that in due course.
Wondered if there is any connection with the similar foxes in Korean and other Asian stories.

And that ending, somewhat ambiguous but somehow right.

fantaseareader's review against another edition

emotional sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

copascribe's review against another edition

5.0

In this sci-fi novella, Sankofa is doomed to wander Ghana as the "adopted daughter of death." Feared by the people, she travels between villages with dirt huts and robotic cops/drones as she searches for "the seed." Okorafor's writing is beautiful, I really liked the world she built, weaved with native culture and futuristic ideologies. Without flowery language, she captures a story with layers tackling privacy, safety, and freedom. While tales are invented about our main character, a pharmaceutical-turn-tech company acts as Africa's newest colonizers and is also searching for "the seed."
Overall, I really enjoyed reading about Sankofa's journey (and finally reading something that let me critically think about the story and draw my own conclusions without being lectured at). Beautifully written and highly recommended.
4.5 stars

catofbones's review against another edition

adventurous challenging reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

bookishnorth's review against another edition

mysterious medium-paced

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

3.75

jennkei's review against another edition

2.0

It was alright. Why remote control though..?

youngthespian42's review against another edition

4.0

I picked this novella off a book tuber I like and her recommendation did not leave me hanging. I LOVED this book. the protagonist had such a funny and unique voice. Putting the wording building on the POV of a child is a brilliant solution to not have to explain too much in a short space. I just Read Rosewater by Tade Thomson as well and this book was a great compliment to that book. Two different versions of near-future Nigeria. I listen to this one on audio and I highly recommend it!

theoretically_reading's review against another edition

challenging emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

4.75

jimmyviera's review against another edition

4.0

Nnedi has quickly become an author that I look for on bookstore shelves. Everything she writes is great and truly unique to other sci-fi I have read.

tete256's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious sad 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

3.0