Nnedi Okorafor has found many devoted readers and a great deal of critical acclaim for writing a growing number of science fiction and fantasy books geared toward both adults and young adults. Her latest release, Remote Control, follows a fierce young protagonist through a future imagining of Ghana. Landing once again firmly in the subgenre of science fiction that Okorafor herself has termed “Africanfuturism,” this novella is sure to captivate existing fans and also draw new readers to her work.
Despite growing up in poor health, frequently battling malaria, young Fatima loved nothing more than to play in the beautiful shea tree outside her home. She spent many hours lost in both nature and her imagination — drawing in the dirt, climbing up high into the branches, and staring at the stars. Then one night, an unexpected meteor shower deposited a strange, glowing green object by her beloved tree.
This object sunk into the ground, where it remained — not forgotten, but dormant — for nearly a year. Then, one day Fatima observed a wooden box sprouting up from the earth. Inside the box lay the glowing green “seed” that had rained down upon the tree. But where did the box come from? Despite the mysterious circumstances, Fatima cherished this seed deeply … that is until two men showed up and stole it away.
The days passed on and all seemed to be okay, relatively speaking, although Fatima never forgot the seed. But the unexpected persisted in her life, it just took a little time. When she was seven years old a catastrophic event occurred, leaving Fatima all alone in the world, unable to even remember her own name. Taking on the new name of Sankofa, she now roams the land. And something significant has changed within the young girl … she has acquired the power to take life from others; an all-powerful transformation which frightens most, yet appears as a mercy to some. Accompanied only by a friendly fox, she wanders, learning to control her new power, searching for the stolen seed, and seeking answers to unanswerable questions. But will she find what she is looking for?
Okorafor has created quite a world here. She explores the intersection of power and control with technology and politics, even weaving in the elements of mythology and legend that Sankofa brings to the table. There is a beautiful juxtaposition between the youth of this female protagonist and the weight of her role as the so-called “adopted daughter of the Angel of Death.” Mature beyond her years, her influence is vast, almost spiritual, in the eyes of those she encounters. And while the story may be set in a time yet-to-come, filled with futuristic elements, like any good science fiction story the themes are just as relevant in the real world we live in today.
Remote Control is a quick read, but is packaged with much care. Despite how the story sounds, it reads as more character-driven than plot-driven for this reviewer, which may leave some readers wanting more — of Fatima, her transformation into Sankofa, and of this unique world Okorafor has built. Regardless, fans of science-fiction will enjoy this unique adventure and fans of literary fiction will be impressed by the underlying considerations of culture, identity, family, and more.
Remote Control is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of January 19th 2021. Many thanks to Tordotcom Publishing for providing me with an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
Will you be picking up Remote Control? Tell us in the comments below!
Synopsis | Goodreads
“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?
