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A review by thebookishfeminist
After the Rain by Nnedi Okorafor
5.0
I’m going to preface this review by saying that I haven’t read the short story upon which it’s based, but WOW. Nnedi
Okorafor packs a powerful punch into this graphic novel, and the illustrations are haunting and vivid tools to bring the story to life. Chioma is our main character, and she is thrust into a tormenting and ultimately healing world after having a strange encounter with a boy who appeared at the door of her grandmother and great-aunt’s house in Nigeria. Chioma is a cop from the US who has experienced some trauma that continues to impact her at 39 years old, and this raw, partly fantastical journey ultimately has the potential to heal that trauma.
One thing that I can say as the reader of an e-ARC is that this was pretty tricky to actually read, but that isn’t factored into the rating because it has nothing to do with the story or author’s capability. It’s more a note to the publisher for next time they’re release e-versions of graphic novels.
After reading AFTER THE RAIN, I definitely need to pick up Okorafor’s prequel short story. Okorafor is a brilliant storyteller of our times and I am so glad this book will be out in the world. It offered poignant insights into how humans operate, some culturally specific references that will speak to own-voices readers, and an expertly crafted SFF graphic novel and plot that you won’t want to put down. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this advance e-copy!
Okorafor packs a powerful punch into this graphic novel, and the illustrations are haunting and vivid tools to bring the story to life. Chioma is our main character, and she is thrust into a tormenting and ultimately healing world after having a strange encounter with a boy who appeared at the door of her grandmother and great-aunt’s house in Nigeria. Chioma is a cop from the US who has experienced some trauma that continues to impact her at 39 years old, and this raw, partly fantastical journey ultimately has the potential to heal that trauma.
One thing that I can say as the reader of an e-ARC is that this was pretty tricky to actually read, but that isn’t factored into the rating because it has nothing to do with the story or author’s capability. It’s more a note to the publisher for next time they’re release e-versions of graphic novels.
After reading AFTER THE RAIN, I definitely need to pick up Okorafor’s prequel short story. Okorafor is a brilliant storyteller of our times and I am so glad this book will be out in the world. It offered poignant insights into how humans operate, some culturally specific references that will speak to own-voices readers, and an expertly crafted SFF graphic novel and plot that you won’t want to put down. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this advance e-copy!