Bradley's Reviews > Binti
Binti (Binti, #1)
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I enjoyed the novella's grounding in cultural differences and the twist of a strong math "Harmonizer" tech, and while I also appreciate the fundamental message of acceptance, I had a really hard time with the message's the execution here.
Don't get me wrong, the writing was good and I loved the firm opening leading to a great horror tale set in a well-imagined SF universe, complete with a reverse fish-out-of-water twist.
It's what happened afterward that I take umbrage.
I like tales of acceptance. It is a core trope of SF, for heaven's sake.
What I don't like is a completely insane turnaround in a plot firmly rooted in terrorism and attempted mass-murder of (view spoiler)
Where is the consequence of these horrible actions? (view spoiler)
WTF.
Sorry, this might have been pulled off better had it been a much longer format with a lot more than a hate-and-prejudice exhortation of death in place of a meet-cute. Perhaps an adventure a-la Enemy Mine where they have to learn, slowly, to tolerate each other. And THEN end with (view spoiler)
And don't get me started on Why Mud Cures All Ails. (view spoiler)
Other than these fairly huge issues, though, I thought the novella was charming and well-written and it might have been something quite glorious with a bit more meat and plot. I'm glad I read it. :)
Don't get me wrong, the writing was good and I loved the firm opening leading to a great horror tale set in a well-imagined SF universe, complete with a reverse fish-out-of-water twist.
It's what happened afterward that I take umbrage.
I like tales of acceptance. It is a core trope of SF, for heaven's sake.
What I don't like is a completely insane turnaround in a plot firmly rooted in terrorism and attempted mass-murder of (view spoiler)
Where is the consequence of these horrible actions? (view spoiler)
WTF.
Sorry, this might have been pulled off better had it been a much longer format with a lot more than a hate-and-prejudice exhortation of death in place of a meet-cute. Perhaps an adventure a-la Enemy Mine where they have to learn, slowly, to tolerate each other. And THEN end with (view spoiler)
And don't get me started on Why Mud Cures All Ails. (view spoiler)
Other than these fairly huge issues, though, I thought the novella was charming and well-written and it might have been something quite glorious with a bit more meat and plot. I'm glad I read it. :)
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Reading Progress
September 22, 2015
– Shelved
September 22, 2015
– Shelved as:
to-read
March 6, 2016
–
Started Reading
March 7, 2016
– Shelved as:
sci-fi
March 7, 2016
–
Finished Reading
December 31, 2016
– Shelved as:
2016-shelf
Comments Showing 1-38 of 38 (38 new)
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haha. you make me laugh. ;)
Well, to be perfectly fair, both Binti's culture and the galactic culture was very promising and interesting in the juxtaposition, and the sudden devolvement into horror was a real treat. The captivity and the reinforcement of "You will DIE, evil SCUM," my emphasis, didn't *quite* meet the "Meet-Cute" standard, though. :)
I dont think that's enough though
Regarding the stinger issue, there is an interesting point there - what if, because of cultural differences, we cannot comprehend how insanely awful it is to steal that stinger. The problem is, how do you convey that convincingly? Okorafor certainly doesn't. She whiffs it big time.
If you like that, then read I Am Legend.