Binti

By: Nnedi Okorafor

Narrated by: Robin Miles

Winner of the Hugo Award and the Nebula Award for Best Novella!

Her name is Binti, and she is the first of the Himba people ever to be offered a place at Oomza University, the finest institution of higher learning in the galaxy. But to accept the offer will mean giving up her place in her family to travel between the stars among strangers who do not share her ways or respect her customs.

Knowledge comes at a cost, one that Binti is willing to pay, but her journey will not be easy. The world she seeks to enter has long warred with the Meduse, an alien race that has become the stuff of nightmares. Oomza University has wronged the Meduse, and Binti's stellar travel will bring her within their deadly reach.

If Binti hopes to survive the legacy of a war not of her making, she will need both the the gifts of her people and the wisdom enshrined within the University, itself — but first she has to make it there, alive.

Praise for Binti
"With her rich, lyrical voice, narrator Robin Miles effortlessly moves among such emotions as anticipation, fear, resignation, and fortitude with just the slightest adjustments in breath. Her prodigious range elevates this short novella into a resonating performance that will linger long beyond its mere two-plus hours." – School Library Journal

"Binti is a supreme read about a sexy, edgy Afropolitan in space! It's a wondrous combination of extra-terrestrial adventure and age-old African diplomacy. Unforgettable!" — Wanuri Kahiu, award-winning Kenyan film director of Punzi and From a Whisper

©2015 Nnedi Okorafor (P)2015 Macmillan Audio

Drew me in, hard time keeping my attention.

Binti was a wonderful and imaginative character! The story idea was good, (NO SPOILERS) however once she met ..., it fell a bit flat for me. Robin Miles is a top notch narrator!

Left me dry

I was expecting Sci-Fi, and it is really a mixture of Sci-fi Fantasy, which I don't particularly enjoy. The story had some interesting elements, but I spent most of the book wondering where it was headed. It was narrated with a very strong accent, which exacerbated my frustration with the story. I had to listen very carefully to follow and then was a bit disappointed, leaving me thinking it wasn't worth the effort.

Too short for such interesting premises!

I thoroughly enjoyed this novella. However, like most novellas, this left me unsatisfied as I wanted more of the story. Okorafor adroitly sketches a future with space travel and multiple alien species, where Earth seems to be partially left behind, and some mixture of math, science, and seeming magic are practiced. The eponymous protagonist is fascinating and engaging, and I needed more of her story. So I recommend this novella, but warn that it is not enough of this interesting future society to satisfy.

Decent Story

it moved a little slow. The species names and stuff was a little confusing. I liked the underlying messages of appreciating diversity.

More of a book outline than an actual book

Super original idea, interesting world, cool main character ... now if only she had written a full, fleshed-out story instead of a book outline. I hope to see more from Ms. Okorafor in future, because she's got really neat ideas ...

A Self-Contained Mini-Epic

For such a small package, this novella really packs it in. Because it's short, it is a little overly simple in some ways, and the "moral" of the story is maybe a bit obvious, but there is subtlety to be found in the characterization of Binti and the world-building, which is very vivid. It is a coming of age story, a space opera, a hero's journey...so much packed into such a small package! Robin Miles does a good job voicing Binti... she brings a passion to the character that I loved. Overall, a great little read, and more than worth the 2.5 hours of listening time.
#fishoutofwater #inspiring #mindbending #shortbutsweet #scifi #socialscifi #spaceopera #quickread #heroines #thoughshebebutlittlesheisfierce #tagsgiving #sweepstakes

not well written but interesting premise

I'm not sure why this book got so much love. it comes across very amateur, characters aren't very good and story is interesting but too much exposition and just not enjoyable. #tagsgiving #sweepstakes

Short, Straightforward Plot

Short, straightforward uncomplicated plot with some cultural insight.
I recommend this mainly for young adults .

Magnificent

This is a great book! I visually imagined the world of BINTI. I'll definitely finish the series.

Very fun listen while running errands and driving.

I could listen to the reader for days. Such a lovely voice and great narration.

The story is a kind of coming off age mixed with space opera.