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nerdysread's review
challenging
dark
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
4.0
I didn't know anything starting this book, and honestly, that's a good thing. This is a good story. Maybe I was expecting more action, but it would have been too much. So yeah, a good surprise. Sometimes I felt a bit lost, but I think it's more because I was reading it when I needed to sleep than because of the book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Child death, Violence, and Hate crime
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Xenophobia, Racism, Grief, and Colonisation
dragon_s_hoard's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Murder, and Blood
Moderate: Colonisation, War, Classism, Racism, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
akvolcano'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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I thought that this was going to be entirely Afrofuturistic-which I think it could still be partially. But I was shocked to hear about white people in the book (they have another name) and to read about some colonizational/classism. My suprise aside-this book is well written and fully immerses the reader in this future world! I’m glad I don’t have to wait the other books because I’m super impatient to find out how the rest of the story! If you like science fiction-this is a must read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Colonisation, Murder, Racism, Classism, Hate crime, and Body shaming
walkie_check's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Racism, and Death
Moderate: Classism, Grief, Kidnapping, Death, and Murder
Minor: Body horror, Classism, Confinement, Kidnapping, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Genocide, Gore, Grief, Racism, Injury/Injury detail, Colonisation, Fire/Fire injury, and Xenophobia
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
keegan_leech's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
reflective
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
5.0
Binti is really dang good. Especially because the book flies by so quickly (I listened to an audiobook version but I get the feeling the physical novella would also be a quick read) I'd recommend it to anyone with even a passing interest.
It's an excellent showcase of what makes Okorafor's writing unique and encompasses far more than its length would suggest. Despite all that, it's a very quiet, straightforward book and not as complex as a novel like Who Fears Death (perhaps my favourite of Okorafor's work). This is a strength—there's absolutely no fluff or filler—but if you're looking for a novel to luxuriate in and take your time with, just be warned that this isn't it. It's a very efficient sort of storytelling.
Thematically, I found it wonderful to see science-fiction about migration, culture shock, colonialism, and conflict that treats all of these themes with appropriate seriousness without being pessimistic or miserable. Like the best sci-fi, Binti presents a situation which reflects real-world conflicts and histories with complexity and depth. Democratic solutions don't come off as naïve everyone-sang-kumbaya moments, but as difficult and important moments which require empathy and critical thought. Similarly, none of the conflicts in the story are between a species of "evil" aliens and plucky human enemies, or some variation on the theme.
Binti isn't unique in any individual aspects, but something about it feels fresh, exciting, and different. I hope to read many more books which have that same feeling to them, and once again I'd recommend it to everyone who gets the chance to try it.
It's an excellent showcase of what makes Okorafor's writing unique and encompasses far more than its length would suggest. Despite all that, it's a very quiet, straightforward book and not as complex as a novel like Who Fears Death (perhaps my favourite of Okorafor's work). This is a strength—there's absolutely no fluff or filler—but if you're looking for a novel to luxuriate in and take your time with, just be warned that this isn't it. It's a very efficient sort of storytelling.
Thematically, I found it wonderful to see science-fiction about migration, culture shock, colonialism, and conflict that treats all of these themes with appropriate seriousness without being pessimistic or miserable. Like the best sci-fi, Binti presents a situation which reflects real-world conflicts and histories with complexity and depth. Democratic solutions don't come off as naïve everyone-sang-kumbaya moments, but as difficult and important moments which require empathy and critical thought. Similarly, none of the conflicts in the story are between a species of "evil" aliens and plucky human enemies, or some variation on the theme.
Binti isn't unique in any individual aspects, but something about it feels fresh, exciting, and different. I hope to read many more books which have that same feeling to them, and once again I'd recommend it to everyone who gets the chance to try it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Blood, Death, Violence, and Colonisation
Moderate: War and Racism
lovelyannalee's review against another edition
adventurous
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
A really fun and cool take on identity, culture, colonialism, and knowledge! I really do wish that it was a bit longer because the ending felt a bit rushed and wasn’t as satisfying as I hoped it would be, but I still enjoyed it a lot!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, Gore, Confinement, Child death, Genocide, and Death
Moderate: Colonisation and Racism
Minor: Cultural appropriation
rorikae's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
4.5
In 'Binti' by Nnedi Okorafor, we follow Binti as she sets out for Oomza University and uncovers a plot aboard her spaceship.
Binti is the first of her people to be accepted at the galactic Oomza University. Heading out from Earth, she anticipates what she will find at the university. But then disaster strikes and Binti is forced to negotiate for an alien race that Oomza University stole from in the past.
Despite being a novella, so much happens in 'Binti.' Okorafor introduces us to Binti as she is already heading to Oomza University so we get to know her through her anticipation for her time at the university as well as her recollections of her life on Earth. There aren't too many characters but even those that we spend minimal time with feel fully fleshed out. Through details and very specific moments, Okorafor fleshes out the world and the lives of each character. The story is both a complete, intriguing plot while also clearly setting up the next stories in the series. I am so glad that this is a series as I can't wait to see where Binti goes next.
Binti is the first of her people to be accepted at the galactic Oomza University. Heading out from Earth, she anticipates what she will find at the university. But then disaster strikes and Binti is forced to negotiate for an alien race that Oomza University stole from in the past.
Despite being a novella, so much happens in 'Binti.' Okorafor introduces us to Binti as she is already heading to Oomza University so we get to know her through her anticipation for her time at the university as well as her recollections of her life on Earth. There aren't too many characters but even those that we spend minimal time with feel fully fleshed out. Through details and very specific moments, Okorafor fleshes out the world and the lives of each character. The story is both a complete, intriguing plot while also clearly setting up the next stories in the series. I am so glad that this is a series as I can't wait to see where Binti goes next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Colonisation
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