I am just now making my way through a book that many others had the pleasure of reading back in 2017. For whatever reason, it took me all this time to finally read Gail Honeyman's Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine.
The Situation: Eleanor Oliphant spends most of her time alone, blissfully alone, and she would not have it any other way. She finds most conversation tiresome, including her weekly phone calls to her mother. Thankfully, her job in accounts receivable at a design firm allows for minimal social interaction with her workmates, though Raymond, the new IT guy, somehow becomes an exception to this. Social cues that most everyone else takes for granted go right over Eleanor's head, and most of her observations regarding how people interact with each other, though often accurate and poignant, can come off as judgmental and cold. But even Eleanor proves to not be immune to the presence and charms of a local musician, whom she has decided she is meant to spend the rest of her life with.
The Problem: Contrary to what Eleanor tells herself, it is actually not okay that she spends so much time alone. Despite her harsh judgment of Raymond's appearance, his smoking, and his lack of certain social graces, her interactions with him are one of the few things that could assist her in operating normally with the rest of society. Strangely enough, her sudden and unhealthy fixation with the local musician is also helping her become more familiar with how most people function. But it is when she and Raymond find themselves assisting a stranger that Eleanor will begin expanding her social circle to include warm, bighearted people who are genuinely interested in who she is and how she is doing. Eleanor soon finds herself receiving what her mother was never willing to give, and she may not survive if she does not allow it to continue.
Genre, Themes, History: This is a fiction novel set in present-day Scotland. With Eleanor as the narrator, we are treated to an incredibly regimented daily routine, right down to the foods she eats at every meal, and even on the weekend. If Eleanor does not see a need for it, then there is no place for it in her life, and this includes people. She holds her coworkers in little esteem, and for the most part, the feeling seems to be mutual. If it was not for an incident with Sammy, a sweet older man in delicate health, Eleanor would have no reason to continue interacting with Raymond from IT, therefore allowing her to remain mostly friendless and alone. Of course, Eleanor does have her mother, but she does not exactly make her daughter feel loved and accepted. It is tempting to simply label Eleanor as socially awkward or rude and then move on, as certainly many people in her life have done. But it soon becomes clear that while Eleanor may be curt, and judgmental, and cold, she is also hurting, and hiding, and simply needs someone to reach out.
My Verdict: This book came in third in the Best Fiction category for the Goodreads Choice Awards for a reason. For one, the character development is spot on. The layers that make up Eleanor Oliphant are peeled back slowly, but not too slowly, revealing just enough at just the right times. The pacing is fantastic, and the voice is magnificently done without being too much, if that makes any sense. And while Eleanor's pain is not something everyone can relate to, it may be safe to say that we have all had moments when we felt...off...socially. As if people are always looking at us, knowing we do not belong, and that we have no clue what we are doing. But at the same time, we wanted to believe we were fine, sometimes because that belief is the only reason we can keep moving forward.
Favorite Moment: When Eleanor is amazed at how much Bobbi Brown make-up costs. It is one of the many things on which I commiserated with her.
Favorite Character: Sammy Thom is the nice old man Eleanor and Raymond end up assisting after he takes a nasty fall in the street. He practically invites the two strangers into his life and family and could not have exhibited more gratitude and grace towards them. He is one of the many people Eleanor needed in her life but didn't know it.
Recommended Reading: I recommend You Are Here: An Owner's Manual for Dangerous Minds by Jenny Lawson. Sure, it is part coloring book, but it is also filled with motivation from someone who often finds it difficult to be inside her own mind.
Today we have the conclusion to the Binti series by Nnedi Okorafor with book #3, The Night Masquerade. After the intensity of book #2, Home, I knew the final entry would have more surprises and adventures, as well as new species of creatures to meet. Again, spoiler alert for anyone who has not read either of the two previous books in the series.
The Situation: Binti is far away from her family when disaster strikes at home. Not only is her family there, but her Meduse friend Okwu as well. With Mwinyi as her escort, she begins to make her way back to her home, but is scared of what she will find there. Ever since leaving home over a year ago to attend Oomza University, so much has happened in Binti's world. There have been so many irreparable changes, so many reasons for Binti to be happy about her decisions, but also so many reasons for regret. And it seems just as she gets used to some new part of herself or abilities, even more is revealed about who she really is, and the learning has to start all over again.
The Problem: Things have turned out worse than Binti could have ever imagined. It seems the Khoush and Meduse have decided to once again war with each other, and the Himba people are caught in the middle. The only hope is for someone to negotiate peace, real peace, and Binti believes her skills as a master harmonizer can make it happen. Because of everything that has happened, The Himba Council is hesitant to trust Binti, but she must move forward anyway. As a female who has seen the Night Masquerade twice, she knows something big is supposed to happen. But when it comes, it is once again an event that no one was ready for, least of all Binti herself.
Genre, Themes, History: This is a science fiction novella set mostly on Earth, but also travels as far out as Saturn at one point. The second book left off with Binti and Okwu still on Earth after the former decided to return home from Oomza University and see her family. Binti is still struggling with what she has learned about herself, but is also slowly getting used to it with the help of Mwinyi, another harmonizer. Mwinyi's harmonizing seems to mostly center around communicating with animals and nature, something he uses to keep then safe on their long journey back to Binti's home. Identity is once again central to the story. The way Binti sees herself has to change with almost every passing day. And she must negotiate it against how others of different races and species see her. Another theme is that of prejudice and how we all suffer from it in some degree. And then there is the theme of war and how no one really ever comes out the winner.
My Verdict: I enjoyed this one more than I have the previous books, and I am kind of sad that we have come to the end of Binti's journey. While not everything was neatly tied up, and not every issue or conflict was resolved before the final page, The Night Masquerade is still a satisfying conclusion to an epic tale filled with adventure, war, struggle, and an incredibly vast amount of places and people that many imaginations have never encountered before. My only regret is that we do not get to see more of Oomza University. It seems to be a common comment that there is more imagination and creativity in the Binti series than in many full-length science fiction epics, and I completely agree. What Okorafor has accomplished is truly amazing. With the entire series coming out to around 400 pages, this is an easy series to get into and enjoy, and I recommend it to any lover of science fiction.
Favorite Moment: When Binti decides to move forward and take action despite the absence of the Himba Council.
Favorite Character: Mwinyi is smart, level-headed, and resolved. He sticks with what he does well and always uses his incredible gifts to help in a situation as opposed to hurt. He also knows who he is, what he wants to do, and where he wants to go.
Recommended Reading: I recommend The Wires and Nerve series by Marissa Meyer. It is a series that follows the events of the Lunar Chronicles with Iko the android as the main protagonist.
Today I will be continuing the Binti series by Nnedi Okorafor with Home, its second installment. The first book introduced us to Binti, a determined young Himba girl who ran away from home to attend Oomza University. Now she must come to terms with the full ramifications of her decision and how it has affected her family. And just like with any series, I must issue a major spoiler alert for anyone who has not read the first book.
The Situation: It was a year ago that Binti left her desert home on Earth to attend Oomza University. But it has also been a year since she witnessed the death and massacre of her friends aboard a ship; a year since she was declared a hero after negotiating peace between the Khoush and Meduse; and a year since one of the Meduse, Okwu, was allowed to enroll in the university with her. Binti still has nightmares of that stressful event, and it seems that not all of the Khoush have accepted Okwu as a friend to their people. Despite this, and any anxiety Binti may feel about seeing her family again, she has decided it is time to return home and complete her pilgrimage. She is convinced this is what will bring her peace and allow her to continue with her life, and that it is important Okwu comes with her as an ambassador for the Meduse.
The Problem: While Binti's family is certainly pleased to see her, they have not made peace with her decisions and what she did a year ago. Plus, the presence of a Meduse on Earth is immediately unsettling to most of the people who see it. It seems Binti's family is insistent on making her feel bad for deciding to choose her own path, instead of following in the path they chose for her as a master harmonizer. On the night before she is to leave on her pilgrimage, Binti sees something only male Himbas are supposed to see, causing a group of the primitive and much derided Desert people to show up. They came to see Okwu, but also to take Binti for the night. With nothing going as she felt it would, Binti realizes there are more changes to come, even though everything is already much different than she thought it would be.
Genre, Themes, History: This is a science fiction novella that I assume takes place in the distant future, though just like the first book, no specific year or time is named. Home takes place one year after the end of Binti, with the heroine now settled into her studies at Oomza University, though she is still mentally suffering from the events that happened on the ship that brought her there. Now we see Binti return home, allowing the reader to meet her family for the first time, while also seeing how the people on Earth react to the presence of a Meduse. Binti is once again forced to closely examine who she is, as her belief's about her own identity are challenged in ways she never imagined possible. Non-Himba people expect her to be one way, while her family expects something else, she has her own ideas, and the appearance of the Desert people complicates things even further.
My Verdict: While this second installment certainly expands on the world that was introduced in Binti, I found myself annoyed and a little mystified at how naive Binti herself proved to be. Having spent a year away from home after running away, Binti is completely taken aback that her family would have anything other than kind and welcoming words for her upon her return. Also, she is continually surprised when anyone has a negative reaction to the appearance of her Meduse friend, when throughout history the Meduse have been at war with the Khoush, and therefore in their minds, the entire human race. Furthermore, I find it hard to believe that she can so easily befriend a creature that once was resolved to kill her, and is still quick to resort to violence and war. Her shortsightedness is a cause for much of her grief, and she never seems to quite grasp that she cannot choose her own path and make everyone happy. That being said, the world-building in this novella is incredibly well done as each setting is vivid and well thought-out, as is each new species or race of people. The story itself can be a little all over the place, with the introduction of new things coming on suddenly, making them seem like more of a plot device. Overall, this is a good follow-up to the first story.
Favorite Moment: When Binti realizes she has plenty of prejudices of her own.
Favorite Character: Binti's mother seems to be the most gracious of all of her family. She may not approve or understand what her daughter is doing, but she at least manages to not make her feel worse about everything that is happening.
Recommended Reading: The Sea of Ink and Gold series by Traci Chee currently only has two books out (The Reader and The Speaker), but it follows the adventures of Sefia as she looks into her past and her family, ultimately trying to find out who she is and what she was meant to be.
Welcome to the first of three blogs dedicated to Nnedi Okorafor's Binti series. As the second installment was nominated for a 2017 Goodreads Choice Award, and the third and final installment was published earlier this year, I figured now was as good a time as any to explore it in its entirety. Also, I am excited to potentially discover a new favorite science fiction author.
The Situation: Binti has left her home on Earth to attend the prestigious Oomza University. It is truly the opportunity of a lifetime, but Binti must risk everything to take it. The Himba people do not travel much, if at all, and they certainly never leave Earth and their families, even if it is to attend the best school. So Binti must leave quickly, and in secret, knowing her parents and siblings will think her selfish and reckless. Not only that, if she ever does return, she will have brought shame upon her family and ruined her chances for marriage. But Binti is the first and only Himba to ever be accepted into Oomza University, making her the envy of many Khoush people. So she endures the hard stares of those not used to seeing anyone like her, as well as potential disappointment from her family, and follows her dream.
The Problem: It is apparent that many are not pleased to have Binti on the ship. To them, her skin is too dark, her hair is too coarse and thick, and she is covered in a strange red clay substance that she calls otjize. However, just as Binti gets used to life on the ship, and even manages to make friends, tragedy strikes and everyone on board is killed, except for her. It seems when the Meduse boarded the ship, intent on killing every human they find, specifically every Khoush they find, it is Binti's mysterious abilities that save her, and her dark skin that shows she is different. Now caught in the middle of a war her people have no part of, Binti must use everything she has learned not only to survive, but also to negotiate peace.
Genre, Themes, History: This is a science fiction novella set in an undetermined time, but it is certainly not the time we live in now, on the Earth we know and love. Binti is Himba, and is originally from Earth where she lives with her family in the desert. As the only Himba to ever be offered a place at Oomza University, Binti soon finds herself surrounded by Khoush people, who, by her description, have skin so pale it is as if they are afraid of the sun. She must suffer the rude stares, whispers, eye rolls, even have someone touch her air without asking, like many minorities throughout history. Feeling both unwelcome and lost, Binti remains resolved to attend the university. The Meduse, a non-human people with tentacles and stingers, are at war with the Khoush people, and therefore in their minds, they are at war with all humans. Binti is certainly an epic space adventure squeezed into 90 pages, but it also looks at race, class, war, tradition, math, science, and identity.
My Verdict: While there are some elements of this story that are above my head, especially as I am not a regular science fiction reader, the adventure is still engaging, and the characters are complex and interesting. I found myself wanting to know more with every page, curious to see what turn the story was going to take next, but hoping Binti would be successful in the end. It is a fantastic twist on the girl going off to college story, as well as the girl leaving her family behind to follow her dream story, potentially altering her destiny. And of course, it is also nice to have a person of color as the hero in a science fiction story, something we are slowly, but surely, seeing more of in literature. I look forward to reading more about Binti's adventures in the next two installments.
Favorite Moment: When the otjize Binti wears on her skin and hair works to heal one of the Meduse.
Favorite Character: Binti is afraid and unsure of what she is doing, but she does it anyway.
Recommended Reading: I recommend Under a Painted Sky by Stacey Lee. It is not science fiction, but it is about two girls, one Chinese-American and one African-American, setting off together on the Oregon Trail and learning to survive against incredible odds.
This upcoming Thursday, March 8th, Margaret Atwood will conduct a free public reading at Trinity University's Laurie Auditorium. Although she is the author of more than 50 books of fiction, poetry, and critical essays, I unfortunately can say that I have only read four, including today's selection, Alias Grace, which is now also a series on Netflix. It is the fictionalized story of the real Grace Marks, who was convicted of murder in the mid-1800s in Canada.
The Situation: Grace Marks is serving a lifetime sentence in The Kingston Penitentiary in Kingston, Ontario. At the time that Dr. Simon Jordan, a physician attempting to make a career in mental health, comes to question her, the year is 1959, and Grace has been incarcerated for 15 years. When she was originally tried and convicted for the murder of Thomas Kinnear (and also his housekeeper, Nancy Montgomery), she was sentenced to death, as was the man she was accused with, James McDermott. While McDermott would be hanged, Grace's sentence would be reduced to life in prison. Dr. Jordan has been summoned by a committee of the Methodist church as they plan to have her pardoned, since they believe she is innocent. They are hoping he can question her and find out the truth of what happened, as Grace has long maintained that she does not remember the most crucial hours of the night of the murders. McDermott's testimony would have everyone believe she was his willing accomplice, almost the leader. And Grace herself has already told three different versions of the story.
The Problem: Grace herself makes the point many times that once people believe something about you, and rumors get started, there is not much that will sway their opinion. Many willingly believe she is a murderess and should have hanged for what she did, while others, namely the committee from the Methodist church, believe her to be innocent. They are hoping that Dr. Jordan's findings will show that she is either insane, or at the very least, was forced to go along with McDermott's plan out of fear for her own life. Unfortunately, it seems Dr. Jordan is having as hard a time as anyone getting straight answers out of Grace as to the night in question, and he is not sure what to believe. With patience beginning to run low on the side of the committee, and strong opposition from those who believe Grace is guilty, Dr. Jordan has little choice but to move forward as best he can. He is hoping such a case will jump start his career, but if he makes a false move, it could tarnish his reputation before his career can even begin.
Genre, Themes, History: This is a historical fiction novel set in the mid-1800s in Canada. Grace Marks was a real woman convicted of the 1843 murders of the man she worked for, Thomas Kinnear, and his housekeeper, Nancy Montgomery. Atwood's main addition to the story was the character of Dr. Jordan, who in the book is summoned to make his own assessment of Grace in the hope that he will believe her to be innocent. While he may have been hired by those who wish to set her free, he is determined to form his own conclusions and not be swayed by anyone else's opinion. But Grace proves to be as much a mystery to him as she does most everyone else, except for those who have formed their opinion and are sticking with it. Real opinion about Grace Marks remains divided. Some accounts of her story are not trusted because they have been sensationalized, while others are not trusted because the methods used to evaluate her were less than scientific. Also in the background of the story are the looming Civil War in the United States, as well as Canada's own issues with rebellion and the rise of the lower classes. Then there is the question of a woman's reputation and how easily it can be ruined, as well as prevailing views on mental health and the condition known as "hysteria" in women.
My Verdict: The idea of not being entirely certain if a convicted murderess is truly guilty or not is always intriguing. Add whether or not she can be declared mentally ill adds another dimension. Present the possibility that she knows exactly what she is doing and is simply putting on a show for all, and the story becomes something else entirely. I will say this, if you are all about the destination, then this book may not be for you. Alias Grace is a journey, with the truth of what happened the night of the murders being the ultimate goal, but it will take a lot to get there. Sometimes Grace is the narrator, and sometimes there is a third person telling the story. Still other times developments are made via letters that are exchanged between the characters. Every character has their own objective regarding Grace Marks, and everyone has their own reason for being interested in her story, which she proceeds to tell in incredible detail, all except the events you want to know about the most. Atwood presents a fictionalized account that is as fascinating and engrossing as the real story.
Favorite Moment: When Dr. Jordan realizes why Reverend Verrenger is so interested to see Grace released from prison.
Favorite Character: Jeremiah the Peddler is a character that will follow Grace from her
early days as a servant, well into her time in prison, though his look
and identity may change. He is a character that proves to be as
mysterious as Grace, though much more lucky.
Recommended Reading: Stone Mattress is a short story collection by Atwood that I enjoyed more than I do most short story collections. Some of the stories are downright fascinating and showcase Atwood's incredible imagination.
I am just now making my way through a book that many others had the pleasure of reading back in 2017. For whatever reason, it took me all this time to finally read Gail Honeyman's Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. 
