The world-building never feels rushed or foggy, everything is clear and the borders and rules always defined. The Himba culture is distinct and you understand at least enough of it to appreciate Binti’s reactions to it. Binti is a full character, strong, smart, young, and scared.

Okorafor somehow manages to pack EVERYTHING in to those 96 pages. Sure, I chose it because it’s short because technically I’m still only halfway through House of Leaves(four years and running), but Dr. What struck me most about this novella is the brisk pace. (My confession is coming soon, it’s just not quite relevant yet) I don’t want to say more for fear of spoilers this book clocks in at a brisk 96 pages so if I write too much more, mystery may be sacrificed. En route, the ship is attacked by the Meduse, severe and warlike jellyfish people. The first of the Himba to be accepted to Oozma Uni (prestigious space college), she eschews tradition and risks familial and cultural ostracization by leaving home to attend. I hate the part of reviews where we need to draw the plot out, so I’ll be brief: Binti is the titular character and truly brilliant.

She enthusiastically tossed out a list of titles, and I chose Nnedi Okorafor’s Binti because it was the shortest (don’t judge me, I’m very busy). Having no clue at all where to start, I reached out to my friend who runs Black and Bookish for some recommendations. Which brings us to the headline, finally. I don’t know, I’m out of my field here), to books. From music ( Janelle Monae), to movies, (I already mentioned my new favorite Marvel move Black Panther, right?) to TV ( Luke Cage, I think counts. If you don’t know and refuse to do your own Googling, Afrofuturism is a sect of science fiction that focuses on black history and culture. Yes, I admit, the first Black Panther trailer had just dropped, but it had been on my list. Keep it on your mind though, I’m going to circle back.įirst, context: Despite the stack of books I’m currently “reading” and the influx of books I refuse to stop buying, I got an itch to seek out more. It’s not a big deal, but it’s distracting so I want to save it for just a bit.

Binti nnedi