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A review by hanarama
Binti by Nnedi Okorafor
adventurous
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
CW: racism, death, body horror
The Good:
• Resourceful main character
• Horror into understanding
The Bad:
• Too short
• End is a little too "neat"
You Might Like this if You Like:
• A Memory Called Empire
• Octavia Butler
• Non-humanoid aliens
Binti is the first Himbe to be accepted into a prestigious intergalactic school. Though excited, she is apprehensive about leaving her family. Initially she has some difficulty, but soon starts building relationships with her future classmates.
But then their ship is attacked by the Meduse, a jellyfish-like alien species. Binti and the pilot are the only two left alive following the massacre. As Binti protects herself from the Meduse, she discovers a way to speak to them, and begins to relate to the aliens.
The setting is interesting, but the world building is mainly surface level. The novella is too short for a really in depth exploration of the setting.
The ending also suffers due to length. It feels a bit too neatly tied up and abrupt. It felt as though Okorafor was rushing to finish things up, when the story could have been further developed.
The Good:
• Resourceful main character
• Horror into understanding
The Bad:
• Too short
• End is a little too "neat"
You Might Like this if You Like:
• A Memory Called Empire
• Octavia Butler
• Non-humanoid aliens
Binti is the first Himbe to be accepted into a prestigious intergalactic school. Though excited, she is apprehensive about leaving her family. Initially she has some difficulty, but soon starts building relationships with her future classmates.
But then their ship is attacked by the Meduse, a jellyfish-like alien species. Binti and the pilot are the only two left alive following the massacre. As Binti protects herself from the Meduse, she discovers a way to speak to them, and begins to relate to the aliens.
The setting is interesting, but the world building is mainly surface level. The novella is too short for a really in depth exploration of the setting.
The ending also suffers due to length. It feels a bit too neatly tied up and abrupt. It felt as though Okorafor was rushing to finish things up, when the story could have been further developed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Blood, Death, Racism, and Violence