I've been putting off reading this solely because it's a novella. They need to be written in a very specific way, otherwise they end up being not enough. I think that's ultimately what happens with Binti. The story is great, the ideas put forward are unique & interesting, and the writing is nuanced & engaging.

But then what? There are a number of really cool things to explore here, but instead you get precisely one line about them.

- Living ship, designed to have breathing bladders
- The concept of harmonisation
- The specifics of Himba culture


Are just a few pieces you'd want to know more about, but can't due to this format. Perhaps these things will be explored in the following two novellas - but there in lies my point. Why is this three novellas and not three parts to an actual story? If it's not self contained it's not a novella.