I borrowed and audio copy of Nnedi Okorafora‘s Remote Control from the local library.
“She’s the adopted daughter of the Angel of Death. Beware of her. Mind her. Death guards her like one of its own.”
The day Fatima forgot her name, Death paid a visit. From hereon in she would be known as Sankofa—a name that meant nothing to anyone but her, the only tie to her family and her past.
Her touch is death, and with a glance a town can fall. And she walks—alone, except for her fox companion—searching for the object that came from the sky and gave itself to her when the meteors fell and when she was yet unchanged; searching for answers.
But is there a greater purpose for Sankofa, now that Death is her constant companion?
I quite enjoyed this piece of Africanfuturism*. It has a near-future, Ghanian setting that is alive and real to the reader. The writing is sharp and visceral and the narrator brought it to life well. The main character, Fatima/Sankofa is marvelous to spend time with as she becomes a living myth. All in all, I seem to have no real complaints. It’s a short little thing, so I guess it gets a short, little review
*I have been using the wrong term and was corrected. I’ve learned something today, Afrofuturism vs Africanfuturism and I apologize to Dr. Okorafora for having gotten it wrong. She’s apparently spoken widely about this distinction.
Today I listened to and then reviewed Remote Control, by Nnedi Okorafor #bookreview #afrofuturism #remotecontrol #audiobook https://t.co/CuLttF9OWN
— See_Sadie_Read (@See_Sadie_Read) April 23, 2021
Ok, I can't decide if I want to squee that you tweeted me or die of embarrassment to have used the wrong term. But I will100% correct it!
— See_Sadie_Read (@See_Sadie_Read) April 24, 2021