The longer I sit with this reading experience, the more I love this phenomenal book. There are definitely some unlikable characters here, but I enjoyed seeing the journeys of our two main characters. I wonder if the author would make changes to a pivotal side character given what we know now versus when the book was written.

This just felt like Nnedi strawman-fighting all the prior criticisms of her and her work. Less of a book, more of a polemic.
There were some great leaps of imagination and I'm a sucker for a complex narrative structure, so I didn't dislike it. Just wish it had been a little more subtle.

I loved this so much. I don’t have the words to truly express how this book made me feel. The characters were so deep, the stories meshed so well together. The audiobook was fantastic. Highly suggest giving this a shot.

I really wanted to get into this more. I think just the structure of the book was difficult for me to follow and I was not in the right headspace to be able to follow. I plan to pick this up at a later date because there were definitely parts that were intriguing.

After a storied and successful career as a science fiction author, Okorafor delivers something completely different, a combination of naturalistic family drama, near future speculation, and post-apocalypse that is hard to pin down. Zelu is a struggling author and adjunct writing instructor, a lone artist in a high-achieving Nigerian-American family, whose other children are doctors, lawyers, and engineers. She is also a paraplegic following a childhood accident, which has left her with both PTSD and a sizable chip on her shoulder. When her academic career sputters and dies, Zelu is suddenly inspired to begin writing a novel, Rusted Robots, in which warring robot and AI tribes struggle for dominance in a post-human Nigeria. The rest of Death of the Author alternates between chapters of this novel, Zelu's experiences as it becomes a runaway global bestseller, and interviews with her friends and family members.

Death of the Author's setting (or rather, the setting of the Zelu-focused chapters) is clearly science fictional. There are self-driving cars, AI assistants, manned Mars missions, and halfway through the novel Zelu is fitted with a personal exoskeleton that permits her to walk, and even run at super-speed. Nevertheless, the heart of the novel lies not in these SFnal aspects, but in Zelu's more mundane experiences. Though not a memoir (Okorafor even warns against conflating her with her character in her acknowledgements), the Zelu chapters clearly draw on her background as a Nigerian-American, a disabled person, and a successful writer, and the result is deeply-felt. Zelu has complicated, prickly relationships with her heritage, with her parents' home country, and with her family. She is constantly brought up short by the misogyny and ableism that run through Nigerian society, but also by the awareness that what truly prevents her from connecting and immersing herself in that society is less her gender or disability as the simple fact of her Americanness. But she still feels a profound bond with the country, a sense of belonging that, however imperfect, remains an essential component of her identity. By the same token, Zelu's family is alternately stifling and supportive, unable to understand her—there are some extremely painful scenes in which she tries to share the news about her novel's success, or about being invited to try the exoskeleton, only to be met with dismissal and infantilization—and the only people who truly know her.

All of this is inflected by the fact that Zelu is an incredibly difficult person, whose very real challenges—as a nonconformist daughter in a family that never seems able to fully see her, as a black woman in academia, as a disabled woman everywhere—can't quite justify her repeated choice to just do what she wants and ignore the thoughts and feelings of everyone around her. There are times when the novel clearly expects us to cheer for this sort of behavior. Certain interludes read almost like a persecution fantasy, as when a reporter interviewing Zelu ahead of her novel's publication takes the time to track down her former employers and get unflattering quotes, or when she's ambushed during a live TV appearance with questions about whether using the exoskeleton is tantamount to disowning her disabled identity. Zelu's powerful sense of self in these moments is clearly bound up in the challenges she's overcome and the unique perspective she brings to her art. It's clear she wouldn't be the writer she is if she weren't able to brush off others' criticism and even their perspectives. Other times, Okorafor seems to be daring us to dislike her heroine. She seems to delight in making Zelu do cancellable things, whether that's sleeping with a student, cavalierly ignoring her publisher and fans' expectation that she start work on a sequel to Rusted Robots, or befriending a Jeff Bezos-like billionaire because he's the only one who understands the challenges of rocketing to immense fame and wealth. This is a device that can sometimes strain credulity—that so many people seem to view the exoskeleton as something that makes Zelu not-quite-human, for example, seems out of step with how such technologies are viewed here and now. At its best, however, it is a fearless, uncompromising character portrait, of a woman who is rarely likable, but always entirely herself.

That portrait, however, is not all there is to Death of the Author. Okorafor's choice of title is clearly ironic—instead of divorcing a work from its author, she has brought the author into it. But the results of that fusion are inconclusive. The Rusted Robots chapters read very much like Okorafor's other science fiction, with an emphasis on individualistic characters caught in situations where they are forced to adopt creeds and group identities they do not entirely fit into. The parallels to Zelu are obvious (Rusted Robots's protagonist even experiences an accident that forces them to replace parts of their body). But ultimately, the connections between the novel's naturalistic and SFnal components (and between its two different kinds of science fiction) feel minimal. As the novel approaches its end, the interview chapters begin to hint that Zelu has made a controversial choice, leading one to suspect that the title is to be taken literally. If so, however, this is something that happens off-page, and is acknowledged only obliquely. A neat metafictional flourish at the novel's very end ties the Zelu and Rusted Robots strands together in an unexpected way, but still doesn't reveal what Okorafor's project with the novel is. What remains, therefore, is an utterly original storytelling choice, one that stands apart from much of what the rest of the genre is doing, even if it doesn't entirely cohere.

This is one of the most unique books I’ve ever read. This is an exploration of storytelling and what makes us human. I loved the book within a book element and found this to be completely original and a shocking take on it. I struggled with the pacing slightly in the middle but overall I couldn’t give this anything less than 5 stars.

This book has it all: AI, robots, disability representation, book within a book, BIPOC characters, Nigerian culture… while those are all some of my favorites, I think there may have just been TOO many things going on for me to stay invested.

Nnedi Okorafor’s Death of the Author is a compelling blend of cultural insight and imaginative storytelling that really sticks with you. The characters are vividly drawn, and the narrative weaves themes of identity, tradition, and the power of storytelling seamlessly. I appreciated how Okorafor manages to keep the tone accessible while tackling deep issues, making it a thought-provoking read without feeling heavy. The only reason I didn’t give it five stars is that a few sections felt a bit rushed, but overall, it’s a beautifully crafted story that stays true to her unique voice. Definitely worth a read for fans of speculative fiction and Nigerian literature alike.

4.5 stars

When Zulu, a writing instructor at a university, loses her job, and her recent book is rejected by yet another publisher, she feels like a loser. Her nontraditional career already makes her unpopular with her large, Nigerian family full of doctors and lawyers, and the accident in her childhood that left her in a wheelchair sets her apart, too.

Stepping away from her usual writing projects, Zulu decides to write something just for herself: a sci-fi novel, unlike anything she’s ever written before, where AI and androids wage war in world where almost all humans have gone extinct.

Suddenly, Zulu is catapulted into literary stardom. She’s famous, has a movie deal, and a boat load of money. But when her story’s original vision is threatened by those seeking to profit off her fame, and her real and fictional world start to merge, will Zulu stay true to who she is?

Zulu is a fascinating and complex character. She grows from a frustrated teacher and writer, a daughter and sister afraid to stick up for herself in family discussions, and a wheelchair-bound woman seeking to explore other options, to a self-assured, outspoken advocate for her own body and art.

A book within a book structure doesn’t always work for me, but I loved how it was done in this novel! The fictional book chapters scattered among the main narrative tied together the themes and character development of both storylines beautifully. I always wanted to read the story- within-a-story chapters and was equally captivated both plotlines.

There were a few times where the political commentary was too on the nose for my personal taste, but Okorafor’s unique plotline and how she tackles ethical issues of new technology makes Death of the Author a favorite sci-fi novel of the year for me.

Highly recommended!

*Thank you to NetGalley and Willam Morrow for the digital arc!

Death of the Author is a smart, layered read that toys with narrative structure, mystery, and questions of identity. The concept was intriguing, the pacing kept me turning pages, and the writing was sharp. But the main character? Incredibly unlikable. Detached, self-absorbed, and hard to root for which made it difficult to fully invest in the emotional stakes of the story.

That said, if you enjoy plot-driven stories that play with literary theory and twist the idea of authorship, it’s worth the read. Just don’t expect to fall in love with the narrator. You’ll probably end up side-eyeing them the entire time.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

Whew—this one took me on a ride. It’s literary, it’s sci-fi, it’s layered deep, and I wasn’t ready. Zelu’s messy, stubborn, brilliant, and so human it hurts. I didn’t always like her, but I felt her. The dual storyline (hers + her robot epic) was wild and emotional, though the ending felt a little rushed. Still? Thought-provoking and bold. Would reread.

Thank you Netgalley and HarperAudio for an ARC of this book.

If you can imagine the worse thing possible that can happen to an author, this is it.

This is the first book I've read by Nnedi Okorafor and I really loved it. The story within a story was executed very well and this will appeal to students. Teachers and others can explore the themes of family, culture, identity, change, and most important-human nature. I highly recommend this book because it was really well done.

A landmark achievement for Okorafor. I tore through it, loved it. I have no doubt it will be one of the most discussed books of the year. Everyone should read it! (You may be wondering if it really is a genre book, even once you're reading it; I promise that it is.)

The format of Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor made me so happy. I absolutely loved the story within the story—it felt like peeling back layers of narrative, each one more intriguing than the last. It’s the kind of book that plays with form and structure in a way that feels intentional and meaningful, not just clever for clever’s sake.

About halfway through the hardcover edition, I noticed something amazing: under the dust jacket was an entirely different title printed on the book itself. I was so delighted I had to show everyone I could. That little surprise, like an Easter egg for readers who pay attention, speaks to the care and thoughtfulness that went into the design of this book.

Every detail feels purposeful, and that sense of discovery really enhanced my experience. It’s rare to find a book that engages you on both a story and a physical level, and this one absolutely did.

Thank you to NetGalley, Nnedi Okorafor, and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I have enjoyed Nnedi Okorafor's novellas and I was excited for the opportunity to read Death of the Author. This book did not disappoint. The beginning felt a little slow and it took me longer to get into the sci fi section of the two narratives, but once I got into it I was hooked. The ending surprised me in the best way and I have been telling everyone I know to pick this one up!

I wanted to like this so badly but I just did not care of the main character at all. I get that she was supposed to be a difficult personality and Nnedi Okorafor did a great job of writing her as such but I liked the story in the story more than the actual main plotline and then the twist just seemed hammered in.

I do think the marketing of this book was a little off the mark for what this book is. It's a really interesting concept. I was really hooked at the beginning of the book. I thought the structure of the different POVs created a lot of intrigue, but as we got further into the story, my investment in Zelu's story started to wane because I wasn't quite sure where it was going anymore. The twist at the end, I thought was cool, but it also felt too little too late. I wanted to enjoy this more than I did, so I do think it having been so hyped up in my head maybe dampened the reading experience. I still think this book was good, but I'd recommend other books by Nnedi Okorafor before this one.

Admittedly, I picked this book up when I was in a mood for sci-fi, as that’s how it was marketed. If I’d known it was more litfic, I would have had very different expectations. That being said, I really enjoyed the robot story within the story, and the ending had me shocked.

Thank you to the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

The structure of this book was so unique, and Okorafor did an amazing job of making each character feel so real while writing two completely different stories at the same time. The journeys of Zelu and Ankara had so much depth, and the themes that their characters brought out throughout the story were brilliantly woven through each of their respective challenges. The power of stories was the best possible theme for this book, especially now knowing the ending and how the two narratives tie together. However, I do feel as though the endings felt rushed, and I would've loved to see the last 50 pages or so drawn out just a lil more. I also did not love Zelu's family... they were just straight up rude and unsupportive for the majority of the book, and it did not make any sense. While I do understand why Okorafor made the decisions she did, the family didn't feel completely real to me. Don't let that deter you from picking up this book, though! If you want relatable main characters that don't let hardships get in the way of them achieving positive change, then look no further.