Home
Ratings125
Average rating4
- compulsively readable
- builds on the first novella spectacularly, expanding more on the world and characters of binti
- wonderful blend of nostalgia and new adventure; old family and new
- feels a little like a bridge between the first and second books, but a valuable entry into the binti trilogy nonetheless
This has turned into one of the most interesting sci-fis I've read in a while. Interesting and compelling world building for a short amount of pages.
A bit naive or simplistic at times, but I love the world that Okorafor has built in the Binti trilogy. The way things unfold as Binti learns them makes for an extremely compelling read, I just wish there was more complexity and detail!
Una vez familiarizado con el universo de Binti, la aventura contin??a fascin??ndome. La trama va tomando forma y fluye como las corrientes que solo un gran armonizador puede invocar. El primer libro fue la introducci??n y este ha sido el nudo. Ahora que todo est?? enmadejado, solo queda descubrir c??mo se resuelve en la siguiente entrega. Ojal?? hagan la serie de televisi??n.
Evolución de la historia de Binti, que vuelve a casa después de su “fuga”. Lo que experimenta, el rechazo de los que se quedaron, que no entienden las razones de la persona que se va, da mucho que pensar. Esa parte social del libro está especialmente bien. Muy buena evolución de la trilogía, dejando la puerta abierta a un final que promete espectacular
really cool, love the way it developed on the worldbuilding begun in the first novella!
More of a 3.5.
While the first novella was about Binti trying to find herself, this time the story dives into her sense of belonging - what happens to her home when she has changed as a person, is she now alien to the family and culture she grew up in, was it so wrong of her to think beyond her people and be ambitious. As she grapples with all these questions and decides to return home for a visit, she is also struggling with PTSD from the attack. I thought the trauma and it's affects on her were depicted very realistically, and how it translates into her unique friendship with Okwu. She also gets to examine her own prejudices when the reality of her heritage comes to light, and she is forced to make more difficult choices.
Just like the previous book, the world isn't really explained and most of its left to our imagination. I'm still confused as ever by the sci-fi elements her and Binti's treeing abilities but it's the underlying themes of the story that matter and I liked exploring them through her eyes. The story also ends on a very tense cliffhanger, so I can't wait to read the finale immediately.
Part two is a huge improvement on part one, yet not without some sloppy moments. This review will contain minor spoilers for part 1. The spoilers for part 2 are going to be marked appropriately and hidden under the spoiler tag.
Binti travels back home to go on a pilgrimage, taking Okwu with her. We get to know more about her culture, she gets to grow a little as a person, some of the questions from part one are finally answered AND one annoying thing finally gets addressed. My favorite part (and, in my opinion, the strongest side of this book) is Binti's exploration of her culture; questioning things, learning things, understanding and, in a way, reinventing herself. Her culture may seem unfamiliar to a European reader (such as myself), their ways may seem strange, yet the underlying theme - looking for ones identity - is something virtually anyone can relate to, and I think Nnedi Okorafor used this theme brilliantly to the book's advantage.
There are, however, a number of things I wasn't too happy with. Firstly, we barely see Oomza university - the place where Binti wanted to go so badly she abandoned her family. We don't get very many descriptions, and the ones we do get seem a little vague for my taste. However, the thing that irks me the most is certain characters' behavior. And that is mostly spoilers, so beware!
-SPOILERS AHEAD-
1. OkwuOkwu's behavior too often makes no sense to me and I feel like the justification that is given is often insufficient. Oh, the Meduse are aggressive! Feisty! Protect their honor! It's just silly, honestly. One of the first things that happens in the book is Okwu and its Koush weapons teacher engaging in a Western stand-off, wanting to murder one-another. Yes, it was made very clear that their intent is to kill the opponent. WHY???? Ok, I get Okwu - it's a kid, really, but the teacher? Isn't she supposed to be a responsible adult? What could it possible have said to the teacher to make her risk her career (and possibly face imprisonment) that she would even consider something so stupid? I swear, I thought I'd give the book one star at that point.2. The Khoush The author is trying to show that not all Khoush are bad by giving us some Oomza uni teachers who treat Binti kindly. However, the majority (mostly the ones living on Earth) are just mean, unpleasant people. So Binti and Okwu are traveling to Earth. I'm assuming the authorities are informed of its arrival, since the airport is cleared, and there's army and journalists everywhere. I also assume the army were informed Okwu was coming in peace, as an ambassador. Yet moments after it steps out of the ship, they shoot at it anyway... And not even at it directly, but at the ground near it? Why??? Are the Khoush giving guns to 10-year-olds? Who does that?3. Binti's familyI understand that the author wanted to show how conservative Binti's family is and that what she did, according to their customs, is a big no no. But they are portrayed as absolutely hideous monsters, without a glimmer of empathy. It's really hard to believe that the same people Binti had claimed loved her so much would treat her that badly.
-END OF SPOILERS-
Overall, I enjoyed this book. I think it offers some fresh ideas to the world of sci fi, blends futurism and traditional culture organically, and offers an engaging story with it. There's definitely things I would improve, but I don't think they overshadow the strong side of the overall story.
2.5
I was uninterested until the last 20% I think its because it's been a while since I finished the first book. I might need to reread the series after I finish book 3. I really like binti as a character and the writing & world. But it's just so short I literally want more. I will be reading book 3 and her akata duology soon because I really enjoy Nnedi's writing.
2.5
I was uninterested until the last 20% I think its because it's been a while since I finished the first book. I might need to reread the series after I finish book 3. I really like binti as a character and the writing & world. But it's just so short I literally want more. I will be reading book 3 and her akata duology soon because I really enjoy Nnedi's writing.
Binti and her Meduse friend Okwu have been at Oomza Uni for a year. Binti feels that the time is right to return home for her pilgrimage. Okwu will go with her as an ambassador for the Meduse.
Not only will her family see her physical changes for the first time, but Okwu is the first Meduse to visit Earth in peace in 100 years.
I really enjoyed this. I find the races and cultures fascinating. I also really like the narrator.
Cliff hanger! This was stronger then the first book but these books are just too short.
Very good. I wish it were longer, I want more! I can't wait to read the next book!
This may be an unpopular opinion but I enjoyed the second novela much more than the first. I felt like I had a better sense of who Binti is and her struggles and the world. The pacing kept me interested.
Impressive continuation that uses the plot action to develop the characters. Another great cover, and I think it will be easy to get kids hooked in to this world, as all teens will be able to resonate with identity and parent struggles. I'm now really looking forward to part three coming out next month, especially with the tension-ratcheting cliffhanger ending!
I thought it would be difficult for Okorafor to top Binti, but this felt like an even more beautiful, more complete story that the last. In it, Binti returns to Earth with her alien friend Okwu, after having ended the war between their two species. This is ultimately a coming-of-age story; Binti is in many ways the archetypal university student returning home and trying to balance her new understanding of the world with the values she was raised in. The sci-fi elements of the story put an interesting twist on the story, and Okorafor stylistic excellence make it a refreshing and pleasant story.
Fantastic continuation of Binti
Another wonderful novella carrying on the story of Binti and her journey of discovery. Fresh with a hint of sand, salty water and the depths of space. This story is good enough to read on its own but you'll 7nderstand a bit more of the back story if you read Binti first.
This is obviously the second part of a larger work in progress. Perhaps the third part will complete the story?
Not wanting to compare—actually wanting very much to compare, I'm so sorry—, but Binti: Home was so much better than the first one, in so many ways. Binti was very good, it really was, but I guess because B:H didn't have to establish much of a setting, as it was already established, or else because it was way more intimate and personal to the protagonist, I loved it so much more. The main character, Binti, shines in a way she didn't get to amidst the turmoil of the Meduse attack, she is an amazing character and I fell in love with her life and story. This is a delightful read, and a quick one too. Recommended to everyone who likes and wants good contemporaneous science fiction.
A solid continuation of the first novella. More is divulged about the various peoples in Binti's world. I must say though, for hyper-intelligent future beings, everyone seems bizarrely ignorant when it comes to sociology and anthropology.
Short review: This is a good follow up to the award winning novella Binti. It seems there is going to be at least one more follow up book, which is good. There are some good reveals in the book and I was glad this was a full (although short) novel. Still basically a coming of age novel.
My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/binti-home/