Who Fears Death by Nnedi OkoraforThis is a fantasy set in a post -apocalyptic Africa. Magic has replaced technology. The Nuru and the Okeke people are waged in a genocide war. According to The Great Book the Okeke people must serve the Nuru. Now, many Nuru are trying to do away with all Okeke after a few attempted uprisings. One way to accomplish this is by raping the Okeke women. A child's lineges is determined by the father. A woman is bound to the father by her child. Children created by rape and violence are known as Ewu.
Onyesonwu is Ewu and everyone can tell by looking at her. This is true of all Ewu children. An Okeke mother and her Ewu child are always ridiculed and sometimes in danger. Onyesonwu's mother Najeeda raises her in the desert alone until she is four. Mother and daughter settle in Jwahir, an Okeke villiage that has not been touched genoicide. Though some villiagers dislike Onyesonwu, she is allowed to grow up in relative peace.
16 yr old Onyesonwn can not sit by as the genocide continues. She leaves Jwahir intent to use her powers to bring about change. There are six people in Onyesonwn's group. Three female friends. Mwita, the only other Ewu child in town and her boyfriend. And, the fiance of one of the friends. The label boyfriend doesn't do Mwita justice. Onyesonwn and Mwita's relationships was my favorites.
I finished Who Fears Death over a week ago and I am still processing everything, from the roles of woman and men, to circumcisions to genocide. Okorafor writing is beautiful with a purpose, I loved it. I don't read much fantasy, so when do, I always appreciate being able to fully enjoy and lose myself in one without feeling lost. Who fears Death is amazing. Check out a few professional reviews
10 comments:
I don't read fantasy at all but have been wanting to check Okorafor's work. This sounds intriguing. I think she needs to move to my priority list.
I plan on reading it once it comes out. I wonder will it be available on e-readers.
This sounds like a really great book. Another addition to the wish list!
This one sounds wonderful. I'm adding to my list.
I really liked The Shadow Speaker so I'm looking forward to reading Who Fears Death (I think there's a cameo of Elliji in there!). I'm glad that you don't get too confused in the book, that's alwyas my fear with fantasy.
This sounds fascinating. I love post-apocalyptic stories and it would be great to read one not set in America or Europe for a change!!
I got a copy of the book on my Nook yesterday. Are we going to do a bookclub on Color Online? That would be fun.
Evelyn, I like that idea alot. There is much to be discussed with Who Fears Death.
If more people read it, I would love to talk about Who Fears Death. Either way do let me know what you think of it.
I am happy to see all of these comments. Since I don't read much fantasy, I am not good at talking about it. So I almost didn't write this post.
Ari - I have that same fear with fantasy. Sometimes fantasy books give me the feeling have to have been reading the genre years to truly get it.
I never felt that way with Who Fears Death.
I just read a MG fantasy series set partly in Morocco--the Lionboy trilogy by Zizou Corder. The protagonist is half Ghanaian, half (white) British. It's pretty good.
Wow, what a great setting for fantasy! I'll have to check this out. I just read a fantasy that takes place in British India, and while it wasn't GREAT, I loved that setting :-)
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