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Binti: The Complete Trilogy

Nnedi Okorafor

Start date: August 1, 2024

Finish date: August 31, 2024

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May 01, 2021 Lindsey rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: book-club-recs, publisher-daw

Solidly good, character focused science fiction. I read the first short story a couple of years ago with my book club and finally had a chance to read this trilogy hardcover edition, complete with bonus short story. The initial story was just as good on a re-read and, since I listened to most of it, it's worth noting that the audiobook narrator is tremendous. I loved the authenticity of Binti's experience being the first to leave home and the difficulties in returning. While I could have used mo ...more

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Jul 31, 2024 Natalie rated it really liked it

Shelves: science-fantasy

Binti is written in 3 novellas but I read the trilogy as if it were one story. Binti is the story of a young girl who values education, her culture, and friendship. She is deeply attached to her culture throughout the novellas, which I think is the strongest element. The science, religion, and technology that play a role are often glossed over, which I found a bit frustrating. Also, it is a young adult work, so a bit more simplistic.
The main focus of the first 2 sections are Binti's experiences Binti is written in 3 novellas but I read the trilogy as if it were one story. Binti is the story of a young girl who values education, her culture, and friendship. She is deeply attached to her culture throughout the novellas, which I think is the strongest element. The science, religion, and technology that play a role are often glossed over, which I found a bit frustrating. Also, it is a young adult work, so a bit more simplistic.
The main focus of the first 2 sections are Binti's experiences and feelings while the real action happens in the 3rd section. We meet Binti, who designs astrolabes because she is a harmonizer, someone who senses mathematical formulas deeply. She has decided to run away to Oomza Uni, a university on another planet, because she was accepted. Shortly after she arrives, her classmates and some professors are attacked while in the cafeteria by a group of angry aliens, called Meduse. The Meduse kill everyone but Binti. They are motivated by the fact that the university has the chief Meduse's stinger in their museum. Binti has a mysterious edan (which is a metal object with swirls on it) which allows her to understand the Meduse language. She gets to know one of them, Okwu, and develops a close friendship. Even though she is horrified by the deaths of her new friends, she sympathizes with the Meduse's point of view. At one point, she is stung by a Meduse stinger and grows tentacles on her head, which blends somewhat with her hair.
After some time, Binti goes home to visit her family, in the desert. While she has been gone, she still ritually applies otjize, a red, oily, clay like substance, to her body and hair. She is happy to be home but tension arises. She also sees her old boyfriend, Dele, who is destined to be a leader of the Himba (Binti's people). She meets Mwinyi, a handsome boy about her age.
During her visit, she sees a mystical woman who explains Binti is really of another heritage, Enyi Zinariya, and thus has some gifts.
Then her entire family is burned up by an attack and she is distraught. She becomes close to Mwinyi, despite her mourning, and stays close to Okwu, her best friend. Then, to hopefully stave off war, Binti negotiates between the Khoush people and the Meduse. Both leaders want a truce. But right after they agree, someone attacks the Meduse chief. In the fighting, Binti is torn to pieces and killed. (view spoiler).
Binti's body is prepared for a death ceremony and Mwinyi and Okwu take her by spaceship to Saturn. We have learned in the past that some space ships are actually alive. (view spoiler). The characters return to the University and are at peace, despite the possible war between the Meduse and Khoush.
The story is touching and interesting, however it is definitely YA and more about Binti's culture than science or technology. Her devotion to tradition and love of the desert are well covered, which strengthens the story telling. It has a few slow sections but I'm curious about Okorafor's adult novels. ...more

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Aug 01, 2020 Jenny T rated it really liked it

Shelves: science-fiction, read-in-2020

That was... not entirely what I expected, and it hurt more than I thought it would, but what a hopeful ending. A story about Home and identity, found family and biological family, and the parts of each that we choose to hold onto. I won't soon forget this one. ...more

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