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A review by archaena
Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-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
4.5
This novel follows a young Nigerian-American author named Zelu as she writes a bestselling sci-fi novel that opens her access to futuristic artificial limb technology and other dreams that have seemed impossible given the disability and career failure of her past. She must navigate how these unimaginable opportunities create heavy costs in her interpersonal relationships. Zelu's story is interspersed with chapters from the sci-fi novel, which follows a post-human robot future that is under existential threat.
I was initially hesitant about this book. The first few chapters quickly presented a lot of characters with only Zelu, a deeply discouraged and almost-too-relatably flawed character, recieving close attention. It soon became apparent, however, that this was intentional. The ways in which Zelu feels disconnected from her family and her Nigerian-American family disconnected from mainstream American culture are both themes that are deeply explored throughout the book and provide the base on which the more fantastic elements that are introduced later are grounded. All of the secondary characters also receive ample development in their perspectives and relationships with Zelu.
I don't want to reveal too many spoilers for this eventful book. Overall, I deeply enjoyed both the Zelu and Rusted Robots plots. I found the characters, especially in the Zelu storyline, well-developed, realistic, and painfully relatable. There is a good mix of serious, emotional, humorous, and action elements. Both the futuristic and Nigerian-American cultural elements provide a flavorful depth to the setting, characters, and tone. The themes it explores are complex and interesting. This is my first time reading a book from Nnedi Okorafor. I am now looking forward to visiting her other works. I highly recommend this book!
Thank you to William Morrow Publishing and Netgalley for providing a free Advanced Readers Copy of this book for review.
I was initially hesitant about this book. The first few chapters quickly presented a lot of characters with only Zelu, a deeply discouraged and almost-too-relatably flawed character, recieving close attention. It soon became apparent, however, that this was intentional. The ways in which Zelu feels disconnected from her family and her Nigerian-American family disconnected from mainstream American culture are both themes that are deeply explored throughout the book and provide the base on which the more fantastic elements that are introduced later are grounded. All of the secondary characters also receive ample development in their perspectives and relationships with Zelu.
I don't want to reveal too many spoilers for this eventful book. Overall, I deeply enjoyed both the Zelu and Rusted Robots plots. I found the characters, especially in the Zelu storyline, well-developed, realistic, and painfully relatable. There is a good mix of serious, emotional, humorous, and action elements. Both the futuristic and Nigerian-American cultural elements provide a flavorful depth to the setting, characters, and tone. The themes it explores are complex and interesting. This is my first time reading a book from Nnedi Okorafor. I am now looking forward to visiting her other works. I highly recommend this book!
Thank you to William Morrow Publishing and Netgalley for providing a free Advanced Readers Copy of this book for review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Ableism, Racism, Sexism, and Injury/Injury detail
The book follows a black Nigerian-American disabled woman who becomes a famous author. Realistic levels of racism, sexism, and ableism are displayed by her family, friends, and online public. Her medical history related to the disability and accident that caused it are also described. There are several deaths, including the the main character's father and the main character herself . They are not graphically described, but the grief surrounding them is.