Title: Binti
Author: Nnedi Okorafor
Originally published: 2015
Publisher: Tor.com
Rating: ***.5
Genre: Sci-Fi
Setting: Earth, Space and Oomza University.
Difficulty: Mild Pages: 90
Series: Yes. This is the first book in the Binti series
Always spoiler free
Here’s a dirty little secret – I hate short stories and novellas. This is a serious problem as Binti is a novella. It’s also the principle reason I didn’t particularly like the book. There wasn’t enough plot to interest me. Novellas mean less world building, or less plot.
In Binti’s case I wasn’t entire sure I understood everything and by the time I was at a point of thinking I’d worked it out the story had ended. Some parts were seriously simplistic, and other parts were more complex.
I didn’t really like the plot on the spaceship. It felt like the plot started at one point, and then did a complete 180 to follow a different plot out of the blue. It didn’t click for me.
I liked the beginning and end. I liked Binti’s character. I was fascinated by treeing and harmonising but am pretty sure I didn’t understand it at all.
The writing was great. The characterisations good and the emotion visceral. But there’s never enough time to develop everyone properly in a novella, which always annoys me.
Really, my low rating has more to do with the fact that I just don’t like novellas! Binti is a unique - I've never read anything similar, and that makes it a rare read that should be treasured.
Well Red Reviews
Would I recommend this book? Yes, if you like Sci-fi and/or novellas.