Title: Remote Control
Author: Nnedi Okorafor
First published January 19, 2021
5 pages, Audiobook
ISBN: 9781250772961 (ISBN10: 1250772966)
Rating: 3.86
Overview
In Nnedi Okorafor’s Remote Control, a young girl’s encounter with an extraterrestrial object changes her life forever. After the incident, she becomes a different person, with abilities that make her both feared and revered.
She takes on a new name, “The Changer,” and sets out on a journey to uncover the truth behind her transformation. Along the way, she faces challenges and makes new allies, including a mysterious fox that seems to understand her in ways no human could.
But as she gets closer to discovering the object’s purpose, she realizes that her fate is intertwined with something much bigger than herself. Remote Control is a gripping sci-fi adventure that explores themes of identity, power, and the bonds that connect us all.
About the Author
Nnedi Okorafor writes captivating tales of science fiction and fantasy for readers of all ages, earning her a spot on the New York Times Bestseller list. She is the mastermind behind the genres of africanfuturism and africanjujuism, both of which she created and defined.
Nnedi’s roots in Nigeria, where she has visited family since childhood, have served as the foundation and inspiration for her work. Her impressive repertoire includes Who Fears Death, which won the World Fantasy Award and is currently being developed by HBO as a TV series, as well as the Nebula and Hugo award-winning Binti novella trilogy, which is also being developed for TV.
Nnedi has also won the Lodestar and Locus Awards for her Nsibidi Scripts Series and the Hugo and Eisner Awards for Best Graphic Novel for LaGuardia. Her most recent novella, Remote Control, is sure to captivate readers as well.
Nnedi’s debut novel, Zahrah the Windseeker, earned her the prestigious Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature. She currently resides in Phoenix, AZ with her daughter Anyaugo.
To learn more about Nnedi and her work, visit her website at Nnedi.com or follow her on social media at @Nnedi.
Editoral Review
Remote Control by Nnedi Okorafor is a riveting story that weaves together technology, magic, and Afrofuturism into a compelling narrative. This novel, published in January 2021, marks the eighth book by Okorafor.
Remote Control is a unique blend of science fiction, fantasy, and magical realism. The novel tells the story of a young girl named Sankova, nicknamed “Sankofa” by her family, who gains supernatural powers after a strange encounter with a mysterious green substance.
Sankofa, who lives in a small village in Ghana, is forced to leave her family behind as she embarks on a quest to control her new powers and seek revenge on those who have wronged her. Okorafor’s writing is bold and imaginative, as she takes readers on a journey through a futuristic Africa, where ancient traditions coexist with cutting-edge technology.
Through her vivid descriptions and attention to detail, the author creates a world that is both fantastical and believable, and her characters are complex and nuanced. The novel is divided into two parts, with the first part focusing on Sankofa’s transformation and the second part on her journey towards reclaiming her identity.
While the plot is engaging and filled with suspense, it is the characters that truly make this novel stand out. Sankofa is a strong and resilient protagonist who is easy to root for, and her relationships with other characters, such as her brother and a young boy named Mwita, are both heartwarming and heartbreaking.
What makes Remote Control even more laudable is its cultural significance. Okorafor, who is of Nigerian descent, has been a leading voice in the Afrofuturism movement, which aims to redefine science fiction and fantasy through the lens of African culture and history.
By infusing Remote Control with elements of African folklore and mythology, as well as modern-day concerns such as climate change and artificial intelligence, Okorafor is helping to create a new canon of literature that is diverse, inclusive, and empowering. While there are some minor flaws in the novel, such as a lack of explanation around certain magical elements, these issues do not detract from the overall strength of the story.
Overall, Remote Control is an outstanding novel that will appeal to fans of science fiction, fantasy, and Afrofuturism. Okorafor’s writing is engaging and thought-provoking, and her characters are both relatable and memorable.
This is a book that not only entertains, but also enlightens and inspires. The Washington Post highly recommends this book and gives it a rating of 4.5 out of 5.
