Remote Control

By: Nnedi Okorafor

Narrated by: Adjoa Andoh

Length: 4 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's Summary

2021 Time Magazine Best Books of the Year
2021 NYPL Best Books of the Year

An alien artifact turns a young girl into Death's adopted daughter in Remote Control, a thrilling sci-fi tale of community and female empowerment from Nebula and Hugo Award-winner Nnedi Okorafor

Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award

"Narrator Adjoa Andoh captivates listeners with a stunning new sci-fi novella set in a near-future Ghana. Andoh is perfectly in tune with Okorafor's compelling story, smoothly switching between her British accent as the narrator and the intonations of the vibrant characters she brings to life." (AudioFile magazine)

“She’s the adopted daughter of the Angel of Death. Beware of her. Mind her. Death guards her like one of its own.”

The day Fatima forgot her name, Death paid a visit. From hereon in she would be known as Sankofa ­­- a name that meant nothing to anyone but her, the only tie to her family and her past.

Her touch is death, and with a glance a town can fall. And she walks - alone, except for her fox companion - searching for the object that came from the sky and gave itself to her when the meteors fell and when she was yet unchanged; searching for answers.

But is there a greater purpose for Sankofa, now that Death is her constant companion?
A Macmillan Audio production from Tor.com

©2021 Nnedi Okorafor (P)2021 Macmillan Audio

Afrofuturist Sci/Fantasy Fairytale

This was a great, engrossing Sci/Fantasy novella with a likable protagonist and very Neil Gaiman-esque fairytale vibe.

THE GOOD

Despite being a short story, there is a surprising amount of story told, as well as great character development. I feel like I knew Sankofa’s character very well. We experience her coping with grief, a terrible power over death, and the superstition surrounding her powers. The most striking thing was her ability to take everything in stride. I wish I were half so resilient myself.

Mervyn Peake?? I listened to the audiobook, and I couldn’t help a squeal of delight when I first heard the name she gives her companion, the fox. I had to hear it several times to be sure, but it sure sounds like she named her fox Mervyn Peake? What a wonderful and unexpected reference to the Gromenghast series, which I just read last year. A lovely nod to an important writer in the Fantasy genre, and totally unexpected. Now it makes me want a pet fox name Mervyn Peake, LOL.

World Building: I loved the very Afrofuturist vibe of the world, somewhere between Fantasy and SciFi. The world building was slow and subtle, but vivid. A nice change of pace from typical European-centric Fantasy settings.

Narrator: the narrator was great, though oddly her American accents were not quite right. They had a slight African lilt to them, but this is just a nitpick. Great overall.

THE NOT-SO-GOOD

Abrupt Ending: About the time I was really getting into the story it ends abruptly. And the ending is kind of vague, leaving you scratching your head over what just happened.

THE VERDICT

A lovely novella that wold have garnered a five star rating from me were it not for the unsatisfying ending. Hopefully this is due to more stories to come –maybe a trilogy, like Binti? More please!

Amazing is not a strong enough description

This book was everything I didn’t know I wanted in a book. Beautifully written and the narrator did such a wonderful job!! I was a thousand percent satisfied with this book and will be searching for more pieces by this author. ♥️♥️

Another hit from Okorafor!

I love Nnedi Okorafor. I discovered her with “Binti” and this one is just as fresh and engrossing. It’s quite unlike anything I’ve read before and just draws you into her world. She has an masterful narrative voice and a writing style that miraculously makes you really feel part of the life of a young African girl from a small village who comes across strange alien powers.

What really makes this story shine is the narration. Adjoa Andoh’s performance is masterful, lending voice and emotion to the character in a way that is music to the ears. I would put her in my top ten narrators I’ve heard. I highly recommend this short tale as well as all of Nnedi Okorafor’s work!

And the point was...?

This is the first book I have read by this author, and I have very mixed feelings about it.

The reader is the absolute BEST I've heard. Her ability to do an array of voices, for both sexes, is astounding. Also impressive is the many accents, and the range of emotions.

The story, however, was a mystery to me. I kept wondering where it was going, and the ending was obviously meant to get the reader to buy the next book. But the story didn't seem to have a plot, it just kept wandering on (like the main character), and at the end I couldn't see any point to it. I do not plan to continue the journey.

Perfect!

I loved the story! I loved the narrator! It was a fantastic book. Nnedi Okorafor's work shines, like all her work. Get lost in her worlds you will not regret it.

Engaging story

This well written tale pulls you into the journey of the main character. The narrator gives an excellent performance. If 6 stars were available, I would give them. A must read on any list.

amazing story

this was wonderful. the narration really helped me with the pronouciations of unfamiliar words. the story was beautiful and strange, it broke my heart several times and filled me with hope at others.

Kind of a waste of time

I'm not sure what this book was trying to be. It has very little plot. The character (there's pretty much only one) is not at all developed. There is no action or suspense. No peril or any real reason to care about anything.

It was about a young black girl in a near future Ghana. So I suppose it checks a few 'social justice' boxes. Read this and you can say you read something not centered on the white/European male power structure. Maybe you'll feel woke, but with this one you wont feel as if you read a good story.

The reader though is pretty good. Not bad. Not among the best. She was not the problem.

Remote Control by Nnedi Okorafor. 2021 September 9

I enjoyed this book because it has mystery and sci-fi ethos. The main character Fatima goes through a series of experiences tied a spiritual or alien gift that her grandfather seemed to point to and from there the story takes wings. This provides the fuel for her of discovery of herself and all whom and what she encounters.

I would read more of this author’s works. Excellence: listening to the book via audibles as the narrator takes on many dialects and tones of the characters was extremely enjoyable.

Great story.

Nnedi Okorafor never disappoints. Love her imaginative stories, characters, and strong female leads. The narrator does a wonderful job and only adds to the character of the story.

didnt like the ending

great narrators voice and great accents. slow starter. didnt like the end though.. shame.. bye

Brilliant Novella with perfect narration

Great book from an author with a strong voice and the narration was perfect to listen to. Listened in one sitting

Loved Binti...

...and this book has the same dreamy juxtaposition of sci-fi & legend with a feminist twist giving a girl power to withstand the violence of others. Really enjoyed it.

Amazing story and fantastic narration

I absolutely enyojed this novella. Interesting story, vivid description, terrific and emotional. I loved the myth making journey and the way the futuristic scifi setting blend in with it.