Binti

This was alright - I definitely kept picking it up and wanting to read it and I finished it pretty quickly (I mean it’s under a hundred pages long so how could you not). Now that I’ve finished it though I feel a little underwhelmed.

It was interesting but felt a little simple. I feel like the resolutions were rushed and too easy. The inciting incident was exciting but then everyone holds hands and makes nice.

I also wanted more things explained. I don’t care at all about math so I truly did not want more math, but they kept saying that they were using math and equations to do things but that tells me nothing. I don’t care to understand the math itself but I’d like to understand how it was being used to accomplish anything.

Not entirely sure if I’ll continue the series. It’s short and an easy read so maybe I will but I don’t currently feel compelled to do so.

Where other authors can barely eke out a strong plot in 400+ pages, Okorafor manages to ace world-building, an alien species, and a character-driven plot in a mere 89 pages. I loved the main character in this book and can't wait to pick up the next Binti novella!

it’s a pretty good but but id only say okay. The beginning was a really good build up and I always love a good alien + human becoming friends story, but it kinda went too quickly for me? But this was my first novella so maybe I’m just not a novella person.

a very fast-paced, tense, and innovative story — an incredible introduction to a fascinating world and powerful main character, though not very forthcoming with explanations

Too much happening for a novella, and serious middle-book syndrome. Still, I like the world-building and the protagonist.

At some point, I want to give individual ratings, because I really liked “Binti,” “Binti: Sacred Fire” and “Binti: Home” - I liked “Binti: The Night Masquerade” until the closing chapters when things started to feel a little strange. I'd probably call this a 3.5/5 instead of just 3, but it's closer to a 3 than a 4 for me, and I can't do half ratings.

The writing is pretty splendid. It's approachable, and the stories are interesting. I was interested in all of the devices, the cultural examinations, and Binti's exploration of her different identities and how they impacted one another. I did get a little annoyed at frequently seeing the phrase, “a Meduse-like people” - it made the world feel much less diverse than it portends (that world being Oomza Uni). I think using the word “astrolabe” for that device is a very cool detail.

Binti's reactions to some events and people in the second half of “The Night Masquerade” really puzzled me. Some of it just didn't make sense. I needed a lot more out of Dele and I have to say I agreed with Mwinyi's assessment of the rather performative mourning over one character.

I also thought the frequent incorporation of other species DNA to be a little challenging. How many things can one person be? That is explored very lightly in here, and would be something to explore further. It started to feel very trope-ish with the last one. Similarly, I felt some things got very rushed and convenient explanations (especially at Oomza Uni), but that's the price to be paid for short form.

I think I'd love another story or two about Binti's time at Oomza Uni! All in all, I enjoyed reading these.

Hmm. An odd one; a 4 star beginning with a 2 star ending. The world-building in the first third of the book is very good, basing itself on a largely unfamiliar culture and managing to integrate this into a futuristic setting well. Once the story moves out into the universe however, the wheels come off rapidly.

The first clue that something unsatisfactory is happening is when an entire swath of characters and experiences are skimmed over in what feels like a paragraph. Granted, they are soon after all killed off, but this does give the impression that the author is not really interested in building relationships, or, indeed, padding out the plot with anything that doesn't directly relate to the milestones.

From this point on, the plot doesn't so much have holes, as gaping chasms. The behaviour of the characters bears no resemblance to real-life in any shape or form, unless you are incredibly naïve. The fact that a horrific terrorist event has no negative consequences whatsoever is unbelievable to the extreme. Just because something is YA, but this doesn't mean that events needs to be that unrealistic.

So, in word: disappointing.

I found this novella to have a slow start, but was engrossed in the last half. A must read sci-fi series, I've already gone to the next book.

What a wonderful little book. Had me captivated from start to finish. Binti was such a wonderful character and the story was so engaging. Highly recommended.

I tend to like beginnings. When I read Binti I didn't feel it needed a sequel. So, for a long time I postponed reading the sequels, because I worried that that feeling would make me not appreciate it.

In the end I did like it. I still prefer the first novella, but this was good too.

3.5 Stars
I had been expecting, from the blurb, for this to take place at Oomza University but it's mostly focused on Binti's journey to get there, which is eventful and historically important in this universe. Some of the elements felt a little convenient and deus ex machina-esque, which I can forgive as it's only a 96 page novella and going into great detail about the source and significance of some of those elements would take time.

The obvious racism Binti faces is something that we can see around us now, on our Earth, in our time, and for that I feel it's an important read to experience some of the micro-aggressions as Binti does.

It only took me a couple of hours to read and it is well worth the effort. I'll definitely continue the series as Nnedi Okorafor has managed to make Binti a character to invest in despite the short form of the story.

I am quickly becoming a fan of African sci-fi. Binti explores the ideas of alienation and difference with a very authentic voice - being different lets you approach problems from a different angle, and can ultimately lead to different solutions. As N.K Jemisin points out in her introduction Binti's differences are highlighted right from the start, but from an interesting perspective that is often lost on those of us with a different cultural upbringing.

This is a refreshing tale, highlighting the importance of communication and cultural respect. It feels very apt for the times.

Sci-fi, especially sci-fi with aliens in it, is really not my thing, but I test the waters every few years ‘cause you know, tastes change? I liked Binti's journey of going to school, but this was not a complete story by any means, since it ends as she arrives at the school. I also liked her ties to her culture and how important maintaining those ties was to her but didn't necessarily buy that those roots are what save/heal the Meduse.

I suspect I'm just the wrong audience, and that people who are more into sci-fi will be more receptive to this quick novella.

This year I decided that one of my goals would be to try some sci-fi. This one is pretty short so I thought it would be a great place to start.
Binti is human. Her people are the Himbu. She has never been to another planet. She has never even been away from home. All that is about to change.
Binti has been accepted at Oomza University. It is the most prestigious school in the galaxy. She will be the first of her people to go there.
What should be a simple trip to a school in another galaxy quickly becomes so much more.
I listened to this one and I thought it was great. I loved the story, Binti, and the brief glimpse of the other races left me wanting more. I also loved the way it ended. I have to read the next one with an ending like that!
I loved the narrator too!

Worthy successor to the first novella, this further development of Binti and her relationship to her family and culture is a welcome read, with several surprises discovered along the way! Looking forward to the third volume in this series!

For my first experience in Science Fiction, I really enjoyed this read. It was very easy to follow for the most part. It did take a little getting use to the technology and mathematical aspect but I still really enjoyed it. I can't wait to read the next two.

What an interesting story. Can't wait to read the rest of this series.

Was nice to get out of my comfort zone a bit character wise.

A brilliant, highly original sci-fi novella.

A beautiful story that examines and celebrates both what makes us unique and what makes us the same . This is a very short story but t packs some brilliant punches!

It started out so good - Namibian girl! her hair smeared with clay! going to a space university! - and then it turned into how to get away with mass murder. A shame, really.

A little rough around the edges in terms of writing/pacing, but I liked it. Moar SJW SF plz & thx

I LOVED the beginning of this but ended up finding the actual story a little underwhelming by the time I reached the end. However, Binti is a wonderful character with lots of courage, tenacity, and heart, and I would be interested in reading more about her since she was easily my favorite part of the book!

Full Review: http://www.fantasybookcafe.com/2016/07/mini-review-binti-by-nnedi-okorafor/