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A review by readclever
Binti by Nnedi Okorafor
5.0
Binti was a journey into a tilted Afrofuturism and cultural exploration that I absolutely wasn't expecting. Binti is strong in her knowledge of her Himba community, world, and even universe. Her name is longer but the core of her is a mix of heritage and drive. A very intriguing storyline.
I listened to the audiobook to get the African names and words correctly. I knew I would read them wrong as an American. And the narrator, Robin Miles, made me slowdown the speed to really enjoy the world that Okorafor created. Miles voice work shines as she easily delineates character vocal needs between each other.
Internal landscapes offer a rich view of growing up as someone seen lesser but knowing they're not. Of being discontent in a prescribed role. Of wanting to see the world, even knowing peril is a strong possibility. Of facing danger head on...and surviving.
Some truths are universal but how someone may arrive at them is not.
Loved how the alienness translated to the experience of many very real African people's lived experiences. There was no hardship in understanding the underlying subtext in conservations between Okwu and Binti. As a white woman, I can't and don't experience the level of othering that Binti receives from the Khoush majority or the Meduse. So many of the two's conversations were absolutely vital in understanding how one moves from a singular community to a plural community that doesn't necessarily see the inevitable code switching. Even in 'civilized' outer space.
Very easy to see how and why the author won awards. A top read for 2021 so far. Great introduction to Nnedi Okorafor. Can't wait to read more.
I listened to the audiobook to get the African names and words correctly. I knew I would read them wrong as an American. And the narrator, Robin Miles, made me slowdown the speed to really enjoy the world that Okorafor created. Miles voice work shines as she easily delineates character vocal needs between each other.
Internal landscapes offer a rich view of growing up as someone seen lesser but knowing they're not. Of being discontent in a prescribed role. Of wanting to see the world, even knowing peril is a strong possibility. Of facing danger head on...and surviving.
Some truths are universal but how someone may arrive at them is not.
Loved how the alienness translated to the experience of many very real African people's lived experiences. There was no hardship in understanding the underlying subtext in conservations between Okwu and Binti. As a white woman, I can't and don't experience the level of othering that Binti receives from the Khoush majority or the Meduse. So many of the two's conversations were absolutely vital in understanding how one moves from a singular community to a plural community that doesn't necessarily see the inevitable code switching. Even in 'civilized' outer space.
Very easy to see how and why the author won awards. A top read for 2021 so far. Great introduction to Nnedi Okorafor. Can't wait to read more.