Reviews and Comments

This was a really fun story of greenhouse exploration and magical spell investigation. It's different than the first story (only a couple hints of connection), yet similar in tone. Enjoyable.

This isn't a plot driven novel; not much happens. But what does is written with so much care yet so casually. The characters so vibrant. The dialog so present and funny.

Yes.

This book was a pure stream of consciousness outpouring. I usually can't handle a stream for long, but this one was intriguing. You get to know the character very well and are taken through many different emotions with her.

It's an interesting concept: the main character is trying to compose a speech on economics, on John Maynard Keynes in particular. So the philosophy and history are interesting.

I didn't get what the ending was trying to say though.

I enjoyed watching Binti grow. And her trials were gripping since I became attached to her.

Ah, I see. These 3 novellas are one Binti story. This one is like the second act, things get tense and start to change.

I've enjoyed learning along with her about the magic/tech she discovers.

Very short but super fun. Like an introduction to the story of the series. I will continue it.

I like Okoroafor's writing a lot; personable and relatable yet from a culture different than mine.

This is more a meditation and character study than a narrative. In that respect, it's quite beautiful, especially if one doesn't know much about space and space flight.

But since I am already in awe of human tech in space, the book was monotonous to me.

Short and really funny. Silly and weird yet down-to-earth.

The prose is solidly conversational, yet has this slight whimsy that kind of makes fun of itself. It's like it's a good example and a parody at the same time.

I read in some article about Brautigan so I picked this up. I don't get the beat writers much (except Naked Lunch (book and film) and Cuckoo's Nest (book, play and film!)). And this book did have many bouncy descriptions and tangents that I just didn't get the point of. Plus it's dated a bit in that he talks about her breasts way too much.

But as I sat with it after, I realized the story was delightful. And brave talking about an illegal abortion in 1971. So if you can handle loose similes and the boobily male gaze, you might like it. It's very short also.

This is nice. An alternate viewpoint of a small encounter. It is very short though.

It ends well, story-wise, but the first half of the book is so bland, I didn't care too much. The prose is simple and the narrator is disinterested. Not a bad choice if the plot is complex and exciting, right? Surprise, the plot is like your aunt gossiping about neighbors.

I read about Haruf in an article a while ago. Thought I'd try this one.

The plot stars out simple and silly. The protagonists are little kids. Then they grow up and the simple plots weave together for a deep and fulfilling story. Good stuff.

Couldn't get into it. Maybe I'll try another time.

Another book with gods, this time Hindu.