Welcome to Litsy!

Death of the Author: A Novel | Nnedi Okorafor

Eight books read in July while still making my way through chunksters Kristin Lavransdatter (#KLBR) and Little Dorrit (#whattheDickens). Stats:

1 book finished for last month‘s #foodandlit #Greenland
3 books for #foodandlit #Peru
1 book for #authoramonth (Virginia Wolff)
2 books for #campLitsy, including the tagged book, best book of the year so far

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Laughterhp

Death of the Author: A Novel | Nnedi Okorafor

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Oops! Finished this in July for #camplitsy25! I already had this one on my radar but picked it up because of this. It was very interesting and I did like it. I didn‘t get to participate in the conversation, but I‘m glad I read it. I listened to this on audio and it had different readers for the sections. I liked the mix of different PoVs, interviews and the story within the story.

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staci.reads

Death of the Author: A Novel | Nnedi Okorafor

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This book was such a treat to read! The book -within-a-book was well done, and both stories were engaging and meaningful. It probably would have been a 5-star book for me anyway, but that last chapter cemented the rating. My brain was like, "Wait, what?! But...! So...?" I loved that ending!

Lesliereadsalot Yes, great ending! 4w

PaperbackPirate So good! 🦿🦾 4w

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ImperfectCJ

Death of the Author: A Novel | Nnedi Okorafor

This month was a lovely reading month! My book for 07/27-07/31 was actually so-so for me, but since it's the only one I finished that week, it's my favorite. The tagged is my favorite for the month, and I've been talking with excitement about it to anyone who will listen since finishing it.

#WeeklyFavorites @Read4life

Read4life Good looking month! Thanks for playing along with me. 💙🍍💙 4w

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Daisey

Death of the Author: A Novel | Nnedi Okorafor

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This was an interesting weaving together of a book within a book.

#CampLitsy25 #audiobook

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BookwormAHN

Death of the Author: A Novel | Nnedi Okorafor

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I loved this book and gave it 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
On the outside, this book is about a paraplegic author writing her first big novel while dealing with her family and herself, and then there are the robots 🤖
#CampLitsy @squirrelbrain @Megabooks @BarbaraBB #WickedWords #family @AsYouWish #Pantone2025 #poppyred #Pantone2025 #PoppySeed #FrenchToast

Texreader So so happy you loved it too!! 1mo

BarbaraBB Such a unique concept 🤍 1mo

squirrelbrain Glad you loved it! 🥰 1mo

staci.reads I just finished it and loved it too! 4w

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Death of the Author (Deluxe Limited Edition) | Nnedi Okorafor

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Zelu is a disabled author whose book, Rusted Robots, becomes a worldwide sensation. This book follows Zelu prior to and after her fame. Not quite a sci-fi book (there is some space travel & high tech gear in the main book), her Robots book definitely is—a dystopia set in Africa where robots and AI (bodiless bots) are at war. So we also follow the travails of Robots‘ main character Ankara in this book within a book. Both stories are interesting ⬇️

Texreader And infuriating in their own ways. What is mind-blowing is the last chapter when both stories come together, which elevates this book to possibly the best book of the year for me. My face reading the entire last chapter: 😲 Needless to say: I highly recommend it. #camplitsy @squirrelbrain @BarbaraBB @Megabooks 1mo

Prairiegirl_reading I got stuck behind Wild Dark Shore so I didn‘t get to this one. I must!! It sounds great! So glad you enjoyed it, lots of others seemed to as well. (edited) 1mo

TheBookHippie Did you read her other books when we had her country for #FOODANDLIT? That‘s how I found her! 1mo

squirrelbrain Great review - glad you enjoyed it! 1mo

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BarbaraJean

Death of the Author: A Novel | Nnedi Okorafor

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I thought I would end up with very mixed feelings about this book, as often happens to me with Okorafor‘s work. I admired the main character, Zelu, but didn‘t much like her, and her family was infuriating. I enjoyed the interwoven book-within-a-book much more—but the framing made Zelu the focus, so I didn‘t enjoy the book as a whole as much as I wanted to. Until the end. The ending not only surprised me, it absolutely made the book for me. ⤵️

BarbaraJean There is so much going on here—disability and culture and family and fame and prejudice and difference—and at times, it felt like the plot went completely off the rails. But by the end, I loved the questions the narrative(s) raise, and the interplay between Zelu and her story.

A very belated #CampLitsy25 review! Thank you @Megabooks @squirrelbrain and @BarbaraBB for hosting a fantastic discussion! 1mo

Tamra Stacked! 1mo

Megabooks So glad you enjoyed it! 1mo

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squirrelbrain Great review! ❤️ 1mo

Texreader Yes, that ending was everything! Pushed this book to likely best of the year for me. My face reading the entire final chapter: 😲 1mo

BarbaraJean @Tamra Hope you enjoy it! It's so fascinating! @Texreader Right?! I had to read the last chapter twice! 1mo

Texreader @BarbaraJean Oooh great idea. I went and bought the book after I listened to a loaner from the library. Now I have a reason to crack open the new book! 1mo

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Death of the Author (Deluxe Limited Edition) | Nnedi Okorafor

Arg! I‘m five books behind in writing reviews. I need to do it before I forget what I want to say! I‘ve been so busy and so tired after work I just can‘t!

At least I‘ve assigned my stars!

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CogsOfEncouragement

Death of the Author: A Novel | Nnedi Okorafor

I recently read Africa Is Not a Country with an IRL book club. One of the countries it highlights is Nigeria. I went into Death of the Author with helpful knowledge and I just love when these serendipitous experiences occur.

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CogsOfEncouragement

Death of the Author: A Novel | Nnedi Okorafor

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I usually take the dust jacket off while reading a book. This novel made me glad of that habit. Such a cool second cover. I enjoyed this one quite a bit, really glad it was chosen for #CampLitsy25

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ChaoticMissAdventures

Death of the Author: A Novel | Nnedi Okorafor

Life imitating art, imitating life?

#camplitsy25

dabbe 💙🩵💙 1mo

squirrelbrain 😯 1mo

Suet624 Wow 1mo

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Death of the Author (Deluxe Limited Edition) | Nnedi Okorafor

I went on a mini-me shopping spree. I loved the tagged book we read for #campLitsy so much, and I love that the paper cover of the book is different from the book itself that I just had to buy it. How are they going to do this with a paperback?!? And of course a couple more me-centric items. Sadly the neck reading light is falsely advertised. I bought it for the yellow light. It‘s not. It‘s blue.

CBee I very much need one of those neck fans!! 1mo

AnnCrystal 📚💝. 1mo

Texreader @CBee I haven't tried it yet but I hope it works well. I like that there are vents in the back 1mo

CBee @Texreader ooo, in the back too? Okay I definitely need to grab one. 1mo

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Karisa

Death of the Author: A Novel | Nnedi Okorafor

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So. Freaking. Good. The Death of the Author has a beautifully layered story (stories within a story). It‘s gorgeous, imaginative, and full of heart. I appreciated its hopeful take on tech and her characters that leap off the page.

Bonus: the B & N hardcover is a stunner. If you love Africanfuturism or just like a good Sci-fi with a ton of heart, this one‘s a must. Go read it! #CampLitsy25

AmyG Excellent book. 1mo

Texreader Perfect post right here. 1mo

Karisa @Texreader @AmyG I loved this one so much! 1mo

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Karisa

Death of the Author: A Novel | Nnedi Okorafor

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Wait. What?! 😁 Love that the author of the book I just finished noticed my reply to her Insta post. Nnedi Okorafor had just posted that she was recharging in nature and had finished the draft of her next book (squee!).

I loved DotA so much! The positive outlook on technology is a breath of fresh air and her characters are so beautifully crafted they breathe. Plus the hardcover edition is gorgeous! 💗💗💗

TheBookHippie ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️ 1mo

lil1inblue 🤩😍🤩 1mo

Ruthiella Wow! 🤩 That‘s so awesome! 1mo

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AnnCrystal 🆒📚💝. 1mo

Christine ‼️🩷 1mo

PaperbackPirate How cool! 😎🦿🦿 1mo

Chrissyreadit 🎉🎉🎉 1mo

tpixie 💥💥💥 1mo

Texreader Oooooh. That‘s crazy awesome!! 😎 1mo

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Kitta

Death of the Author: A Novel | Nnedi Okorafor

Re posting @Suet624 ‘s image - my copy is the same!

Different covers on the book jacket and hardcover! So cool and clever. I didn‘t even notice until she mentioned it.

Anyone else have the deluxe edition as well with this?

#camplitsy2025

ChaoticMissAdventures I am now sad I got mine through the Aardvark book box!! So cool 1mo

TEArificbooks Mine is that way too. Very well designed book. 1mo

BarbaraJean My library copy was the same way! 1mo

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Kitta @ChaoticMissAdventures I ordered mine from my local independent bookstore since it wasn‘t available on BOTM, I was so surprised! I hate the colour of the sprayed edges though haha. It matches the blue of the cover and hurts my brain. 1mo

Kitta @TEArificbooks yes! I feel like it‘s setting the bar high for others. 1mo

Kitta @BarbaraJean I ended up buying it because I wouldn‘t get it in time at the library lol. I mainly use Libby and the wait time would have taken me too long (past September I think). I need to start getting physical books out from the library too. 1mo

ChaoticMissAdventures @Kitta yeah, cyan. Every time she says it is her favorite color I cringed a bit. 1mo

BarbaraJean @Kitta I‘ve started doing what I think of as “library roulette” for in-demand library books: I put all three versions (print, digital, audio) on hold, and see what comes first! Print usually shows up first. This one came through in May and I didn‘t dare turn it down because the wait time on Libby was so long. I struck out with the first two for Camp Litsy, though—Wild Dark Shore is only just now on its way to me. 1mo

Kitta @BarbaraJean I got two from BOTM, two off Libby, and two I bought at my LBS. I need to go to the physical library though. It‘s not even far lol. I love my kindle and the convenience and I worry I‘ll forget to return them if they‘re print books! Also Wild dark shore was great! I hope you enjoy! Audition… was not for me. 1mo

BarbaraJean Going to the physical library is dangerous for me—I have to walk by the new releases shelf to get to the holds shelf 😆 And it‘s books like Audition that make me get these from the library! I snagged a 7-day skip-the-line checkout for it on Libby at the midpoint of the Camp Litsy discussion and it‘s for sure not one I needed to buy! Interesting to discuss, but frustrating to read. I‘m glad it was so short! 1mo

Kitta @BarbaraJean 😂 yes that‘s the danger. I‘m glad I got audition on Libby too, very frustrating read for me. You‘re right the discussion was good though! I love CampLitsy!! 1mo

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jenniferw88

Death of the Author: A Novel | Nnedi Okorafor

For those of you who thought Barthes...! And yes, I know this is AI, and I shouldn't rely on it 🤣

#camplitsy25 @squirrelbrain @Megabooks @BarbaraBB

BarbaraBB Very interesting!! 2mo

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rockpools

Death of the Author: A Novel | Nnedi Okorafor

If anyone UK-based hasn‘t read this yet and is planning to, I‘ve been given one free audio copy to give away via the xigxag app. You need to have not used the app before. Xigxag doesn‘t work with a subscription model, so you won‘t need to give credit card details or anything.

Let me know, and I‘ll email the details over to you. UK only (sorry - don‘t think they operate further afield yet).

Karisa Ooh, that was our latest #CampLitsy25 read. I‘m just finishing it up now and it‘s soooo good! 2mo

squirrelbrain Aw, that‘s lovely Rachel! ❤️ 2mo

Texreader That‘s awesome of you!! I enjoyed the audiobook. 1mo

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Chelsea.Poole

Death of the Author: A Novel | Nnedi Okorafor

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Hi, humanity 👋: don‘t ignore robots! I sure did in this book—one part is all about Zelu, a Nigerian-American woman, who becomes an author. Her book blows up, and we get a chance to read it…interspersed in this novel. So, it‘s a book within a book. I found myself more invested in Zelu‘s sections. Shouldn‘t have been! There‘s some great stuff happening with those robots, especially at the end! To be human is to tell stories…#camplitsy25

squirrelbrain Yes, I didn‘t much enjoy the robot parts, until…. 2mo

BarbaraBB I felt the same. And I should have paid more attention to them. 2mo

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DebinHawaii

Death of the Author: A Novel | Nnedi Okorafor

My #Chatterday Saturday vibe is slow. I was slow getting up this morning, went to a 20% bring your own bag sale at the craft store & I‘m now at the coffee shop trying to finish up my very late cards for #SummerCardSwap & finish the tagged book for #CampLitsy before running errands.

AllDebooks

peaKnit A slow vibe sounds lovely! 2mo

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Kitta

Death of the Author: A Novel | Nnedi Okorafor

so-so

⭐️⭐️⭐️

This has all the things I should love in a book but it just didn‘t hit the mark for me. I was frustrated a lot and although the ending was interesting, I was kind of annoyed by it.

I will add some spoiler comments below.

Read for #camplitsy2025.

Kitta Anyone else keep thinking Zelu was going to die the whole time? The constant peril she is made me keep thinking she would meet an untimely death - the autonomous cars, swimming, the kidnapping in Nigeria. It frustrated me. 2mo

Kitta As mentioned in another post, the genetics was just wrong. This always irks me. 2mo

Kitta The writing style when the robots were talking sounded a bit… simplistic? I preferred the chapters from Zelu‘s POV. The interviews were also strange and I‘m not sure what they added besides some background. 2mo

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TEArificbooks @Kitta yes I kept waiting for her to die. I think it‘s the title. Needs a better title 2mo

Kitta @TEArificbooks I understand why that‘s the title - I think it‘s about the death of humanity (as humans are the authors of stories) in the robot version of the world. So it‘s sort of about Ngozi‘s death as she was the last author. But it made for frustrating reading. 2mo

Ruthiella I didn‘t love it either. I don‘t think I jive with Okorofor‘s writing style. Overall I liked the ideas but found the execution a little boring. 🥱 2mo

JamieArc @Kitta @TEArificbooks The title of the book was mentioned by @ChaoticMissAdventures as possibly coming from an essay by Roland Barthes using the exact same phrase. Reading about it, the title makes perfect sense to me. 2mo

Kitta @Ruthiella yes exactly that. There was a way to do this and make it more interesting throughout instead of just a twist ending. Reading the blurb I thought there would be more blending of her life with the book not just the last chapter when she goes to space. 2mo

Kitta @JamieArc so funny, I mentioned I was reading Death of the Author to someone last week and they assumed we were discussing the Barthes essay! So I read up on it then but if I‘d known about the essay beforehand I would have understood better. I agree the title makes sense, but before I read about the essay and read the ending, I assumed she would die and that kind of ruined the experience of reading it for me. It changed how I viewed everything. 2mo

Kitta @Chrissyreadit rotating shelf in the background! 2mo

Chrissyreadit it looks amazing- is that a light attached to it??? I‘m leaning toward getting one- where did you order yours? 2mo

Kitta @Chrissyreadit the light is separate! It‘s just sitting in front of it from this angle. I have some boxes hidden by the book lol or I‘d take a picture from another angle. I love mine, even if it‘s become a climbing tower for the cats haha. 2mo

Kitta @Chrissyreadit I think I got it from Flycity via the TikTok shop when they were on sale. Mine is the gold 5 tier. It has sorta fake wood and gold bars. I don‘t mine the fake MDF wood because you don‘t see it much with the books on it, and the dark colour gives a nice contrast to the gold. It was easy to put together! 2mo

Chrissyreadit love it!!! I‘m laughing because my cats race across the bookshelves in my house- they are 7 feet high! 2mo

Kitta @Chrissyreadit haha I‘m pretty shocked when she jumps up and it doesn‘t fall over tbh. She loves being up high. I wish I could get some of those climbing shelves for her. 2mo

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Kitta

Death of the Author: A Novel | Nnedi Okorafor

This post contains spoilers

show me

Im sorry but wtf, they gave her and her child an extra chromosome???

What a ridiculous misunderstanding of genetics. I was okay with the science for the most part but as a geneticist myself… just no.

JamieArc I didn‘t see the need for this aside about the pregnancy. It seemed totally unnecessary 2mo

ChaoticMissAdventures @JamieArc this is the one point in the book I was just annoyed with. The entire pregnancy is unnecessary and then the science behind the experiment is ridiculous. I don't understand why she chose to add it. 2mo

BarbaraBB I was annoyed by this too. 2mo

Kitta @JamieArc @ChaoticMissAdventures yes, I was more annoyed by the random science experiment adjusting and adding a chromosome to her and the fetus, than the pregnancy itself but I agree it was unnecessary. It felt rushed and not thought out. I was happy with the science otherwise but this part made me kind of furious. 2mo

Kitta @BarbaraBB glad I‘m not the only one! 2mo

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DGRachel

Death of the Author: A Novel | Nnedi Okorafor

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This is a book that requires patience and commitment to really unpack. I have neither. It‘s beautifully written, with complex characters and dual narratives. On the surface - an author dealing with both her disability and a family that was less than supportive of her, but also deeper themes - modern politics, AI, space tourism, climate destruction and more. Now that I finished, I kind of want to reread and dig into it. Another #camplitsy25 winner!

Megabooks, squirrelbrain, BarbaraBB

squirrelbrain Great review! ❤️ 2mo

DGRachel @squirrelbrain Thanks! I can‘t remember the last time I wanted to reread a book right away and take more time with it, to really unpack everything. 2mo

BarbaraBB Happy you liked it that much! 2mo

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DGRachel @BarbaraBB What‘s funny is that I almost bailed early on. Zelu rubbed me the wrong way and her family was so horrid. I only kept going because it was for Camp Litsy and I‘m glad I did. 2mo

BarbaraBB It‘s not my kind of book at all. But because it was voted a Camp Litsy book I pushed one and really enjoyed it too. 2mo

Suet624 I thought about rereading it as well - or at least skimming it. :) 2mo

kspenmoll Wonderful review! 2mo

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Susanita

Death of the Author: A Novel | Nnedi Okorafor

Weekend reading? Maybe? At least both books are inside now and no longer riding around in the back seat of my car!

tpixie lol I have 5 in my backseat and a box in my trunk! A Bookclub friend moved and so I grabbed some of her books. I have no where to put them! Happy Litsyversary! 2mo

Susanita @tpixie Thank you! 🙏 Yes, the trunk is a handy storage space…until you go on a trip 😉 2mo

tpixie @Susanita 😂 right?! 2mo

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ImperfectCJ

Death of the Author: A Novel | Nnedi Okorafor

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I love the way this novel plays with creator and creation, identity, responsibility to self and others, family (and all the pros and cons and compromises of family connections), perceived and actual ability...so many awesome themes. This novel does just what I want a novel to do: address big T Truth through story. And the last line is the reason I keep coming back to writing even as I worry that I can't/won't ever be able to do it well.

Butterfinger Aren't you the editor? I may have you mixed up with someone else, but I think you are being too hard on yourself. Continue writing. It will come. 2mo

ImperfectCJ @Butterfinger I've done a bunch of things (editing, teaching, admin work, yoga instruction, doula work). My degree is in English with a writing concentration. I just need to do the work. 2mo

Suet624 Great review of this one. 2mo

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TheKidUpstairs

Death of the Author: A Novel | Nnedi Okorafor

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Love love loved this! From start to finish, I loved all three different layers and levels. This is one that will stick with me for a long time. I'm packing for a cottage trip, will try to be more eloquent at a later date!

#CampLitsy25
@Megabooks @BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain

TheBookHippie I found this author while doing #FOODANDLIT Nigeria she‘s such a good writer. My hold for this is finally enroute! 2mo

TheKidUpstairs @TheBookHippie I've read a couple of hers and always enjoy them, this is by far her best to date! 2mo

squirrelbrain Yay, glad you loved it! Have a great trip! 2mo

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Death of the Author: A Novel | Nnedi Okorafor

Welcome to the final week discussing Death of the Author! Please feel free to discuss these questions in light of the whole book. I have enjoyed leading the discussion on this book and hope you've found it as enlightening as I have! I will post the page breaks for our second July book, Woodworking by Emily St. James, later this weekend.

Everyone will only be tagged in this post, but there are two additional questions. #CampLitsy25

Megabooks @Addison_Reads @AmyG @amiable @BarbaraJean @Bkclubcare @BooksandCoffee4me @Bookbuyingaddict @booknaround @BookwormAHN @Bookwormjillk @Butterfinger @Cariashley @Caroline2 @CarolynM 2mo

Megabooks @catgusmax @cbee @ChaoticMissAdventures @Chelsea.Poole @Christine @CogsOfEncouragement @Cseydel @Cuilin @Dabbe @Daisey @Debinhawaii @Deblovestoread @DGRachel @ErikasMindfulshelf 2mo

Megabooks @flaneurette @fredthemoose @Gatheringbooks @gissy @Graciouswarriorprincess @Hooked_on_books @ImperfectCJ 2mo

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Megabooks @JamieArc @Jas16 @Jenniferw88 @JenP @Jenreadsalot @Jess @Jhod @JoyBlue @JulesG @julieclair @KarenUK 2mo

Megabooks @karisa @Kitta @Kristy-K @Kspenmoll @kwmg40 @Larkken @Laughterhp @LeeRHarry @Leniverse @Lesliereadsalot @maggie4483 @maich @Mcctrish @MeganAnn @Merelybookish @Meshell1313 @Monalyisha @Oryx
2mo

Megabooks
@peaknit @peanutnine @Prairiegirl_reading @PuddleJumper @quietjenn @Read4Life @RaeLovesToRead @reggie @rockpools @Roary47 @Ruthiella @Sace @Sapphire @Sarahbarnes @Soubhiville 2mo

Megabooks @skygoddess1 @Suet624 @Susanita @texreader @TheBookHippie @Thekidupstairs @Triplem80 @TrishB @Vonnie862 @Well-ReadNeck @willaful @youneverarrived @zuhkeeyah 2mo

BarbaraBB To me Zelu‘s decision to go to space is a powerful culmination of her struggle for independence, personally and creatively. Her choice reflects a leap into uncharted territory, transcending her physical limitations and societal expectations. It‘s emblematic of her journey: from being defined by disability, culture, and familial roles to authoring her own narrative—quite literally. 2mo

Bookwormjillk I agree with @barbarabb that it was part of her struggle for independence. I also thought that it was a move towards equality for her since she wouldn't have to rely on legs as much in space due to weightlessness. I thought her family's reaction was over the top, and probably did have to do partially with her father's death, but also a lot with control. 2mo

Suet624 So much pressure was building up for Zelu and she seemed to have little to no support, other than Msizi. Her dad, who used to support her, was gone. I thought back to how much she loved to swim and how that felt for her. Free, weightless. I wondered if that was why she decided to go to space. To feel the adventure, to feel free and weightless. 2mo

jenniferw88 I also agree with @BarbaraBB . I just hope that if the story continues (as Rusted Robots is meant to be a trilogy!), Zelu doesn't reveal to Msizi she went into space knowing she was pregnant and had the treatment without consulting him. I think that could be the final straw for him, which would be a shame as they worked well together. 2mo

Chelsea.Poole I loved that she made it to space, a personal dream fulfilled despite the doubts of her family. For sure, all about independence and breaking the mold…agreeing with others on this! Zelu always went her own way. (edited) 2mo

Lesliereadsalot Once Zelu realized she could write, then she could walk, then she could travel to Nigeria, then she could go into space. It felt like a very natural progression to me, that of growing into her own person who was capable. I loved that she was making all her own decisions! 2mo

JenReadsAlot I loved it! 2mo

AmyG I, too, agree with her quest dor independance and freedom…from her body and disability. And yes, her family did seem controlling…especially after her father died as he was her biggest supporter. 2mo

mcctrish I love how @BarbaraBB summed it up. I was surprised how Msizi reacted, he was always so “you go girl” but if this is a trilogy then he‘s going to really freak over the pregnancy and Zelu not telling him @jenniferw88 is right with her predictions I think. I was happy zelu‘s siblings were “ of course you have to go” - taking on their dad‘s role 2mo

TheKidUpstairs I think her father's death greatly influenced her family's reactions, especially her mother. It was Zelu who helped her mother find herself outside of that partnership after his death, and I think her mother started her journey towards seeing Zelu after that. The conversation with her mother was so genuine, the fear and then the acceptance and "you're such an annoying daughter" was a wonderful moment. 2mo

CBee Zelu was always going to be Zelu. I just watched an episode of “The Resident” where a young guy with muscular dystrophy is at the end of his life and before it gets bad, he decides to do a zero gravity flight. The look on his face made me cry - this is what it was for Zelu, I think. To feel free, to “swim” in space. I loved it. 2mo

Reggie @BarbaraBB @Suet624 🖤🖤🖤 2mo

Jas16 I agree that after years of being told what her limitations were and fighting back Zelu was reclaiming her childhood dream. Her loved ones were already scared by all of the ways Zelu was asserting her independence and space is a scary unknown so I didn‘t expect them to be supportive especially after the death of her father and what happened when she went to his grave. 2mo

vonnie862 I agree with everyone. Going to space is something that she had dreamed of doing when she was a child. Going to space as an adult is a way to continue her road to independence and feeling equal. Plus, she wanted to get away from it all. 2mo

Butterfinger I totally agree with @mcctrish and @jenniferw88 about her decision to go to space without telling Msizi about the pregnancy. She wanted to go so badly, ever since she was a child. She was going to do whatever was needed, including more untested technology. I think the father's death affected the siblings' decision to finally accept her as she is and to stop trying to conform her to their will. They came together when they decided where to bury him 2mo

mcctrish @Jas16 her siblings fear all stems from them not wanting Zelu‘s choices for themselves and her dad‘s power was, to quote Mel Robbins “let her” - sometimes in hindsight Zelu can see they were right ( going to Nigeria) but a lot of good still came from it. I think going to space is important for her like @vonnie862 said 2mo

Ruthiella Great discussion! 👍 2mo

squirrelbrain @CBee - that‘s lovely, if rather sad. 😢 2mo

squirrelbrain I agree with @BarbaraBB @Bookwormjillk - it was definitely her showing that she could be independent and also a craving for the freedom that weightlessness would give her. I do think the pregnancy very much showed her selfish side. 2mo

CBee @squirrelbrain it was heartbreaking. And of course Zelu isn‘t about to die (I totally thought the entire book was going to end with her death, anyone else? 🤷‍♀️). But it encompasses the same headspace, I think. To want to feel that freedom when you‘re unable to use your legs on earth. 2mo

Suet624 @CBee totally thought she was going to die. 2mo

Deblovestoread Love all the points made and agree with everyone. Plus in space there will be no one to put limits on her. (edited) 2mo

ChaoticMissAdventures @jenniferw88 the pregnancy “twist“ didn't work for me. I am not fully understanding what Okorafor was trying to do there. I thought there was enough drama without it, and it wasn't something that was reflected on enough to move the story forward in any meaningful way. I would expect Msizi to leave her for that, messing with her DNA, not telling him at all, going to space pregnant. It's too much. 2mo

ChaoticMissAdventures @Lesliereadsalot love how you have laid out her progression of independence, it all started with rock bottom, and her expanding her imagination with her novel. Like @Chelsea.Poole points out, this was her original childhood dream. I am glad she made it there. 2mo

ChaoticMissAdventures @CBee I for sure thought she was going to either die, or go somewhere where she was good as to her family. All of the interview sections the family and friends spoke of her in the past tense. I am not convinced she comes back from space, or if she does maybe her new science experience on herself makes her not herself any longer. 2mo

ChaoticMissAdventures I think she had to go to space. As her mother said, Zelu and her father are Adventurers. Space is her dream, and more so with her current body. I am a black sheep of my family in the Adventure vein. I have spent decades solo traveling and my whole family are complete home bodies they do not understand so I related to Zelu in this aspect. If you have the Adventure gene you feel an intense pull, if you don't have it you cannot understand. 2mo

CBee @Suet624 glad I‘m not the only one! But I guess it would‘ve been too obvious - I mean the title of the book is “Death of the Author” 😂 (edited) 2mo

CBee @ChaoticMissAdventures agreed! Left it quite open ended. 2mo

JamieArc It felt like going to space was inevitable for her. I‘m not sure how I feel about the fact that the two biggest things of impact for her were provided by rich white men, but perhaps to do otherwise would have felt too far-fetched 😂 2mo

JamieArc I loved the flip of the family in support. When she told them about going to space, it seemed like it would just be another decision that brings shame and pain to the family, but it wasn‘t. That was a great chapter. 2mo

MeganAnn @ChaoticMissAdventures I agree, the pregnancy twist is unresolved. Although it does show how selfish she is @squirrelbrain . I also didn‘t realize this is intended to be a trilogy so I expect that may actually be something to set up reactions in the second book. It is interesting that her search for independence culminates in her childhood dream to go to space but then she gets pregnant. A baby is going to be the opposite of independence for her. 2mo

rockpools Her family‘s reactions to her going into space were one of the high points of the book for me, and showed how much they‘d all grown in their recognition of her as an independent and extremely able person. I particularly enjoy Chinyere‘s ‘OK, I quit. You‘re amazing‘ - total and long overdue acceptance (even if she doesn‘t understand Zelu). 2mo

MeganAnn @JamieArc agreed about her family! I fully expected them to berate her like before and was very happy they did not do so. I do think the death of their father had a lot to do with that reaction — they all became closer during that experience. I loved how they seem to be starting to see and understand her a little better now. 2mo

rockpools But I‘m with @ChaoticMissAdventures on the pregnancy twist. Enough, surely?! And @MeganAnn A trilogy? Really? That makes a lot of sense in terms of the hanging bits. And the fact that Rusted Robots was commissioned as a trilogy. But (as a very bad series reader) I‘ll be perfectly happy if it isn‘t. The ending was just-so, as-is. 2mo

MeganAnn @Butterfinger I agree she was going to anything necessary to go to space no matter what. And I think her doing so without telling Msizi about the pregnancy and DNA technology is true to her character while also pointing out how selfish she can be by not telling him. He already didn‘t want her to go and she knew the pregnancy would be the final straw. @BarbaraBB said it beautifully that her decision to go the space is emblematic of her journey. 2mo

TEArificbooks I agree with the main thoughts so far. Going to space was more about breaking boundaries and achieving a dream she never thought she could. I like what @thekidupstairs said about how zelu helped her mom gain a new identity without her husband and I think maybe going to space was zelu also trying gain a new identity without her dad learning to live with without him 2mo

Megabooks @BarbaraBB Very well said, B. A lot of this book can be read as a struggle to create one's own narrative and shape the story both on Zelu's side and the robots' side. 2mo

Megabooks @jenniferw88 that's an interesting thought about a trilogy! I think most of Okorafor's other books are part of a series, so I'm curious about this one, too. 2mo

Megabooks @Lesliereadsalot Her burgeoning independence was a joy to watch for sure! 2mo

Megabooks @TheKidUpstairs I loved those moments when Zelu helped her mother restyle her hair. I was please to read that scene and the evolution of their relationship and her mother as a character. 2mo

Megabooks @CBee I read Against Technoableism and the case the author made about certain disabilities making space travel easier for those people was really compelling. It was a fascinating book.

Against Technoableism: Rethinking Who Needs Improvement (A Norton Short)

2mo

Megabooks @Butterfinger Yeah, I had very mixed feelings about her going into space while hiding her pregnancy. My first thought was the DNA damage, so I'm glad Okorafor wrote around that. I think to me it goes to whether decisions about pregnancy continuation or other health decisions belong to the pregnant person or both partners. I think it becomes murkier if the partners are in a committed relationship/marriage. @squirrelbrain (edited) 2mo

Megabooks @Butterfinger Because if there isn't a LTR between the partners, my feeling is strongly that the decision belongs to the pregnant person. @squirrelbrain (edited) 2mo

Megabooks @CBee I also thought it might end with her death. I was pleasantly surprised! 2mo

Megabooks @rockpools I agree. It showed a lot of growth in all their characters and their estimation of Zelu's abilities and independence. 2mo

BookwormAHN I was so glad she got to go and I think the pregnancy represented a jump in human evolution. 2mo

Well-ReadNeck The family connections is a theme that I can‘t stop thinking about. Initially, I felt that — like so often happens— her family put her in a pigeon hole that no amount of growth/change/time can get them to see her differently. But, in the second half, I felt like her parents esp. are bringing their trauma to how they see her. I think they feel guilt for not being able to protect her from her fall and are especially anxious/fearful for her …. 2mo

Well-ReadNeck … But, as her mother lets go a bit, she is able to separate from Zelu more. I think the key scene for me was when the two of them are taking an autonomous car together. 2mo

julesG Just because the fictional Rusted Robots was supposed to have sequels, doesn't mean Death of the Author will be part of a trilogy. 2mo

GatheringBooks Everything that @BarbaraBB noted - even though it initially did not happen for Zelu, I had a feeling the opportunity would resurface at a later point and it did. Zelu is literally too expansive for this small world that she has to explore the infinities of the universe. Plus, how can anyone pass up something like this? The support from the family was unexpected but refreshing. Agree with @ChaoticMissAdventures that the pregnancy twist only ⬇️ 2mo

GatheringBooks (Cont) serves to put Zelu in a morally ambiguous light yet again - but maybe perceived as essential to the even bigger twist towards the end, and the continuation of Zelu‘s story through her child, whom we have been reading about in the rusted robot story. How very meta! What a loop! 2mo

Suet624 @julesG great point
2mo

BarbaraJean @CBee @Suet624 I absolutely thought this would end with Zelu‘s death! Like @ChaoticMissAdventures I thought the past tense of the interview sections supported that. Before starting the book, I assumed the title would be a reference to the concept in literary theory—that the author‘s intent is irrelevant to the text‘s meaning. But as the book went on (with the interviews, and so many events where she was in danger), I thought it might be literal. ⬇ 2mo

BarbaraJean (Cont‘d) In the end, I love the title & the questions it raises. Is Zelu the “author” of the title, or is it Ankara? Or is it Okorafor, indicating the reader must construct the meaning of the ending—whether Ankara is a character in Zelu‘s story, or whether Zelu is a character in Ankara‘s story. @Megabooks I love that insight about the book being read as a struggle to create one‘s own narrative. That ties the title and the ending together so well. 2mo

DebinHawaii As always, very late to the party, but reading the discussion is helping me understand & appreciate the book. Like @cbee @Suet624 @BarbaraJean I also thought due to the title & interviews that Zelu was going to die at the end. Also, maybe because of just reading Challenger, once the space trip was an option, I thought it would blow up in flight or on reentry. It‘s interesting if it is a trilogy & what will happen in the next book. I do think ⬇️ (edited) 2mo

DebinHawaii … it was in character for Zelu to do whatever it takes to go & achieve her dream. I also really liked the way her family relationships—particularly with her mother were evolving. 2mo

Suet624 @DebinHawaii these discussions always help me understand the book we‘re reading more deeply. I too enjoyed seeing her mother start changing her attitude. 2mo

Meshell1313 I kept thinking of the Katy Perry going to space controversy! 😂 1mo

50 likes65 comments

Death of the Author: A Novel | Nnedi Okorafor

We got into discussions about identity last week, and I hope you will all enjoy going deeper into Zelu's character and how Okorafor tackled identity in the book. #CampLitsy25

Megabooks @kitta Please lmk if if you don't see your handle tagged on the first question so I can rearrange where you are going forward. Thanks!! 2mo

BarbaraBB I think Zelu‘s plural yet fractured identity is both a burden that isolates her in many ways—but it also enables her to write a new kind of narrative, one not confined by tribal allegiance, tradition, or expectation. 2mo

Bookwormjillk I think it's true if Zelu says it's true. But again I agree with @Barbarabb that it's what let her break out of the box that people were trying to keep her in. 2mo

See All 40 Comments

jenniferw88 I do think it's true, and that on any given day, different identities come into play. So for one day it could be black and American, another Igbo and disabled. 2mo

Suet624 Good question. Not sure I have a good answer. We can closely identify with our different “tribes“ (I'm Irish, American, Vermonter, crone, etc.) or we can see ourselves as alone and individual in our experience and existence and that will affect how we navigate in our world. Zelu definitely seemed to have enough willpower to rise above any definition imposed by herself or others. Am I being too simplistic? 2mo

Chelsea.Poole I think it‘s freeing in some ways to be able to be her own person, but it also may be lonely there. We need community but at the same time, with so many different identities can anyone truly understand Zelu? Is this true of all of us, in some ways? Maybe it also speaks to personality, perhaps some just prefer to go it alone. Zelu always felt different in her own family so essentially she was raised to be her own person. 2mo

Lesliereadsalot I loved that she was a part of so many communities, that she could fit in with so many different groups of her life. I think it made her stronger to be able to identify with so many others on so many different levels. 2mo

AmyG I think Zelu was trying to find her own identity within all the other identities that had a hold on her. Find a balance. 2mo

mcctrish I think this is quite the social commentary - I personally feel/think being able to belong to multiple communities is fantastic. It connects you to and enables you to have more perspectives but if those communities don‘t feel the same way - you have to be only them - then your welcome isn‘t true or complete and becomes isolating. Zelu becomes more, as we all should, because of all her parts and because her ‘tribes‘ hold her apart 2mo

CBee Like I said in my comment on the first post, Zelu was always going to be Zelu. All of the identities she had of course made her who she is but only partially. Her true identity, to me, was just being herself and as she‘d say, “fuck this shit” 😂♥️ 2mo

vonnie862 @Suet624 you're not being simplistic. I agree with you. 2mo

vonnie862 @CBee 🤣 2mo

Jas16 There are nuances and different lived experiences even amongst member of the same sort of tribes that can leave you feeling just as isolated from others within that same tribe as you are from those of a different tribe. It helped Zelu understand she needed to carve her own place in the world. 2mo

Butterfinger Her uniqueness of the totality of the different parts make her a part of none. One part cannot define her. @BarbaraBB said it more succinctly. I'm also going to add birth order. Even though my siblings and I share the same experiences, our perspective of the experience will be different - I and Chinyere would be the elder daughter who has to take care of everyone, the middle children can be free to climb trees and go to space. 2mo

Butterfinger I also agree with @Chelsea.Poole and @Lesliereadsalot she desired support from her coomunities. Sometimes, the antagonism fueled her decisions, yet she would get support elsewhere like the MIT team. Or her social media followers. They saved her life. 2mo

squirrelbrain I think it can be both simple and complicated @suet624, depending on how we view ourselves and even how we‘re feeling / what tribe we‘re identifying with right at that moment. I‘m not being very eloquent but what I‘m trying to say is that our identity is always in a state of flux. 2mo

Deblovestoread I think she had a fighting spirit that may be took the best part of all those different tribes. Someone else with that experience might have given in to to the care, control and fear from family and had an ordinary life. As @CBee says Zelu was Zelu, uniquely herself. 2mo

ChaoticMissAdventures I think that it is true that others never see her as enough. This is a common theme with racial/national identities when you are not fully one thing. You are never seen as “enough“ of any of the things. It is a common feeling - that is reinforced by how others treat you. I think Zelu is special in that she straddles so many identities. It does make for a lonely life, and I think her family does not help. 2mo

rockpools Zelu is never going to be able to meet the expectations placed upon her by her many tribes, so you can totally see the “not-enough‘ness that @ChaoticMissAdventures describes, and that feeds into her anxieties. But your comment about going it alone really spoke to me @Chelsea.Poole - giving herself permission to do her thing and go it alone is really powerful. Hmm 🤔 2mo

TEArificbooks I think it shows how complex every person is. We are all more than one thing. We are more than our skin color, our religion, our nationality, our relationships, our abilities, our jobs, one bad moment when we put our foot in our mouth, etc. we are all unique and important to the world. And we should all give ourselves and others a little grace. 2mo

JamieArc I had the same thoughts as @ChaoticMissAdventures . Because she carries both sides of one identity (both not able to walk and able to walk for example), she is not wholly accepted by either side and becomes her own thing. This is just the case with her with many of her different identities. I like how the author further explored this with the robots. 2mo

Megabooks @Suet624 I don't think so. I like the idea of her (or anyone) rising against categories that others are using to limit them, but I also feel the ability to use your identities to build bridges with others is important, too. 2mo

Megabooks @Chelsea.Poole I like how you're bringing in how the way her family tried to limit her as a reason she transcended or broke out of the identities others imposed. 2mo

Megabooks @mcctrish Oooo... I like this thought!! 2mo

Megabooks @squirrelbrain I'm glad you pointed out that everyone is always in flux based on the situation we find ourselves in! 2mo

Megabooks @ChaoticMissAdventures I can see that, too. I think there was a special friction between her Igbo and Yoruba sides of the family. Even though these tribes live in the same country now, their traditions are so different. 2mo

Megabooks @TEArificbooks 100%!! So important that we give each other grace in life! 2mo

Christine Loving this discussion, so full of insights!! And I especially loved your comment, @TEArificbooks . 🩷 And yes, @Chelsea.Poole - I certainly think the complexity of how our many identities place us in relationship with others (and how this is often dynamic and messy!) is true for all of us. When I teach intro to sociology, one of the first things students do is complete the sentence “I am….” with as many identities as they can think of. After ⬇️ (edited) 2mo

Christine the obvious (race, gender, etc.), they quickly start recognizing the many, many identities we all hold. They branch off into interests and hobbies and personality characteristics and usually (as intended!) end up walking away from the activity with a deeper appreciation of how even the things that seem super individual actually connect us to others, and can be spaces for community, if we want them to be. 2mo

BookwormAHN I think that many different connections were too much and that it forced her to be her own person but I also think she would have liked to be closer to one of them. 2mo

BkClubCare @Christine - Love this. I have also had a similar group exercise in teaching teamwork, diversity and bias. It was fun and really opened eyes and allowed wonderful sharing and relatability. We are all complicated and can often find common ground or new respect. 2mo

Well-ReadNeck I‘ve thought a lot a lot these ideas during and after reading. Speaks a lot to intersectionality as well as how everyone also experiences things individually. Ultimately, I also think that her fame/visibility also leads folks to want to see her as an exemplar in each of these groups and that can make individuals in any single group hate or love her depending on their lives experience and how it compared to hers. 2mo

GatheringBooks Love reading the commentaries here. the last quote indicating that Zelu “belonged to none” is incomplete as she also “belonged to all” the identities listed. The hybridities/pluralities of our identities can never be pigeonholed into just one aspect, the coming together of complexities to build the person that we are is what makes life so fascinating. Zelu embraced this fully, and that is why she is set apart by others who think in a binary mode. 2mo

GatheringBooks @Well-ReadNeck yes to intersectionality! Exactly this. 2mo

Kitta @Megabooks Im tagged this time! Thank you!! 2mo

CBee @TEArificbooks yes!! 2mo

BarbaraJean I think this is definitely true. I relate to this aspect of Zelu‘s character—she both belongs and doesn‘t belong. This parallels my experience as a TCK—“Third Culture Kid”—I spent half my childhood growing up outside my passport culture. The idea is that you‘re from one culture, but you live in a second one, so you end up creating your own third culture that both is and isn‘t either one. I see that in Zelu—she both is and isn‘t a member ⬇ 2mo

BarbaraJean (Cont‘d) … of all these tribes, so she forges her own unique identity that both incorporates and transcends them all.

@Well-ReadNeck Yessss to intersectionality!! I love your insight that her fame leads others to adopt her as an example for whichever group they belong to. Those pigeonholed identities flatten and deny the complexity of humanity and the many, many layers of identities we all hold. 2mo

Christine @BkClubCare Well said! I‘m pretty convinced that building more shared identities is what we need most in this moment and fundamental to solving most of our current social problems. 2mo

DebinHawaii @TEArificbooks Love this point! 💙💙💙 2mo

42 likes40 comments

Death of the Author: A Novel | Nnedi Okorafor

IMPORTANT NOTE - This discussion contains **MAJOR SPOILERS** so please be warned if you choose to read it before finishing the book.

Thank you all for joining us and continuing to make this experience fun! Next week we will start discussing the first half of Woodworking by Emily St. James. I will post page breaks later this weekend. Can't wait to see you back at camp next Saturday! Bring a fan because it‘s hot! #CampLitsy25

Bookwormjillk I was very surprised. When I got to the last chapter I actually thought it was some kind of bonus interview with Okorafor and I had missed the ending. I went back and re-listened to the two chapters before it. The ending for me is what turned a just okay book (don't like story in a story as I've mentioned before) into one that I will remember for a long time. 2mo

Suet624 @Bookwormjillk I absolutely agree with you that the ending bumped the story way up for me. I was already a fan of the story, but as things unfolded I recognized the beauty of what the author was doing. 2mo

Lesliereadsalot Shocked would be more like it! I did not see that coming and I loved it. Really made it a memorable story for me. 2mo

See All 52 Comments

AmyG What @Bookwormjillk said….the ending was what made me love the book. I love a great surprise and this one was fabulous! Thr reader thought one thing and Bam! It was completely different. Because it‘s up to the reader to interpret the story….and the reader read it differently. Brilliant. (edited) 2mo

jenniferw88 It really demonstrates the danger of AI! 2mo

CBee Absolutely did not see the ending coming and I‘m still a bit puzzled, but in a good way. It leaves things open to interpretation and personally, I loved it. But Jill, like you, I went back and reread to make sure I hadn‘t missed something 😂 @Bookwormjillk 2mo

mcctrish @Bookwormjillk @Suet624 @Lesliereadsalot @AmyG SAME!! I was reading it in print and I still had to go back and reread to process what happened! How bloody clever NO is 🤯 2mo

Reggie Did anybody else think she was gonna die? The way the interviews were skewing I honestly thought she was gonna die in Nigeria, but then I thought she was gonna die in a shuttle explosion. And then I read the end and thought it was just a creative open ending on the robots part. I was bawling in the last couple parts because of what I thought was gonna happen to her but also the robots. The robots manage to do what it feels like us humans cant 👇🏼 2mo

Reggie do right now which is come together. I loved this book so much. 2mo

Bookwormjillk @Reggie yes, I absolutely thought she would die 2mo

vonnie862 I was taken by surprise a bit because I felt that it missed something. After going back to the audio, I was a bit confused. 2mo

Jas16 @Reggie yes! I thought she was going to die. From the title of the book to the interviews, I really thought I knew the ending. I was shocked by an ending I didn‘t see coming at all and completely in awe by jt. 2mo

Reggie Also, I love that to release frustration and anger she goes to a Black owned shooting range. 2mo

Reggie @Bookwormjillk @Jas16 yay, good to know I wasn‘t alone. 2mo

Butterfinger This is exposing my weirdness, but the ending made me of standing in front of a trio of mirrors and when you manipulate them just so you see innumerable reflections of yourself. I couldn't help thinking that way it ended, Zelu wrote that the robot wrote her story and it would be a neverending circle that was going to make my brain explode if I kept think8ng about it. I know that makes no sense. 2mo

ImperfectCJ I'm enjoying reading everyone's comments. I just finished it this morning, and I love this novel really hard. I'm going to need to process a bit before I can discuss, but I love the ending and like @Reggie and others, I thought she was going to die, too (although I started to question that after her family's reaction to her going into space). And I like Okorafor's billionaire way better than our real-life ones. 2mo

Suet624 @Reggie I totally forgot about the shooting range!! And yes, we were certainly led to believe she was going to die, and I was trying to figure out how she was going to wrap up the book 2mo

BarbaraBB @Reggie Yes I thought so too and yes @CBee I am still a bit puzzled too as I didn‘t see it coming. Who is the real author, Ankara or Zelu?! Brilliant! (edited) 2mo

squirrelbrain @Reggie @Bookwormjillk @Jas16 @Suet624 - yes, me too! I‘d heard that there was a ‘shocking‘ ending and was sure that‘s what it would be. 2mo

Deblovestoread Such an unexpected twist. I almost want to reread it with the new information to see if I think differently about what is “story” and what is “real”. 2mo

CBee @Reggie YES! I thought the same. And I loved the robot arc. How beautiful it would be if humans could do that ♥️😢 2mo

CBee @BarbaraBB so brilliant! 2mo

CBee @Butterfinger makes sense to me! 2mo

rockpools @Butterfinger This totally makes sense to me! And like @Bookwormjillk I thought I‘d reached a bonus interview and had to re-listen! Although I didn‘t *love* the book, I seriously do admire it and how she‘s put it all together. There are So Many questions you could have asked for this one. Excellent ending! Thanks for hosting, Meg! 2mo

ChaoticMissAdventures Curious if anyone has read the 1967 essay “The Death of the Author” by Roland Barthes? I am not sure how much Okorafor took (if anything) from it, but is all about the intent of the author. And I think it is really interesting to think of that here. He says: “writing is the destruction of every voice, of every point of origin. Writing is that neutral, composite, oblique space where out subjects slip away, the negative where all identity is lost“ 2mo

ChaoticMissAdventures it's a bit high brow but you can read it here: http://www.ricorso.net/rx/library/criticism/guest/Barthes_R/Barthes_R2.htm 2mo

TEArificbooks @reggie yes through the whole book I was thinking she was going to die. I thought maybe a crazy fan or an accident in the driverless vehicle or in Nigeria or space shuttle or gun range. But I was not expecting the twist ending. It definitely made it a memorable book. 2mo

JamieArc @Reggie I thought she was going to do too, and the interviews were a sort of story on the life of Zelu. But then in the last interview with Msizi, he says that he and Zelu DO work together, not past tense, so that made me change my mind. 2mo

JamieArc During the last third, I was thinking that the story was slowing down, and the star rating was going down a little, but then the end happened and like others, I was pretty wowed and I‘m sure this book will stick in my head. It got my mind in a tizzy. Robots writing about humans writing about the robots. This is where I like the Barthes idea @ChaoticMissAdventures : who IS the true author? Lines are blurred. The author is dead. 2mo

MeganAnn Yes, like a lot of others I definitely thought she was going to die until the last quarter or so of the book. The end was definitely a surprise and I loved it. It gives so many layers to every chapter before. I think this is one that will make for an excellent reread someday to see what other things I might notice after knowing how it ends. 2mo

Megabooks @AmyG @bookwormjillk it made the book for me, too! 2mo

Megabooks @jenniferw88 I am terrified about the AI provisions in the large bill passed here in the states recently. It paves the way for almost no regulation, which is terrifying. 2mo

Megabooks @Reggie I absolutely thought she was going to die! I love your interpretation that the robots are doing what it was not possible for humans to. 2mo

Megabooks @rockpools You're welcome! Sometimes genre fiction doesn't work well at Camp Litsy, but I loved the discussions here. I read this book back in February, and I was so excited to see it keep moving up in the voting. Campers exceeded what I thought the discussion would be! 2mo

Megabooks @MeganAnn Yes! Rereading it knowing the end was a really good experience. It was one I didn't mind revisiting at all! (I first read the book in February then again for Camp Litsy.) 2mo

Bookwormjillk @Megabooks this would be a good one to re-read knowing what happens at the end 2mo

AmyG @Reggie Yep. Same. I thought she was going to die. 2mo

Christine @Butterfinger I love your interpretation!! And yes re: the better billionaire, @ImperfectCJ ! 😂😭 2mo

BookwormAHN I loved it especially the surprise ending. At some point I plan to reread it and especially pay attention to the robot parts to see if I missed some clue or something 2mo

BkClubCare I might have to reread it, as well. I have already forgotten a lot. 😕 2mo

Well-ReadNeck Love, love, loved the ending!!!! I was really loving this one but the ending catapulted it to the top of all the books I‘ve read this year. There is so much here and I loved this twist and like so many of you, will likely re-read. 2mo

julesG @Butterfinger - makes so much sense. It was clever and I am still not sure which of the two stories was the book-in-the-book one. 2mo

GatheringBooks Like everyone here, I enjoyed the ending - and found it to be very clever - and very loopy and all-inception like. I suppose what detracted from my fully embracing the story is that i did not find any of the characters likeable at all. So i was not fully invested in any of them - except perhaps for one of msizi‘s friends who called zelu out on some of her BS, forgot her name, but i liked her no-nonsense attitude. 2mo

Kitta @ChaoticMissAdventures thanks for thé link, I‘m going to read that! 2mo

Kitta @Reggie I also thought she was going to die, and that kind of made reading it a bit off putting for me - every time she was doing something dangerous I kept thinking « okay this is it » and then she survives. Very annoying. The interviews spoke about her in the past tense and the title made it seem that way too. idk I assumed wrong I guess. 2mo

Kitta @Bookwormjillk agree with you here, I didn‘t like the story much but the ending bumped it up for me and I‘ll think about it a lot. I also thought I was reading something by the author at the end not Ankara. 2mo

Chelsea.Poole I absolutely never would have read this without #camplitsy so thanks to the hosts, as always! Really enjoying everyone‘s thoughts on it as well. I don‘t have much to add other than I wasn‘t expecting Zelu to die or trying to pretend it wouldn‘t happen, one or the other! I was super involved in that storyline and allowed the robot sections to just exist, definitely should have been thinking more about those parts. Perfect for current events. 2mo

BarbaraJean I guess I should have put my comment about the title from question 1 here instead! I was surprised by the ending, and like so many others, it absolutely made the book for me. I admired Zelu, but didn‘t much like her, and her family infuriated me. I enjoyed the robot storyline much more than Zelu‘s storyline—and the framing made Zelu the focus, so I didn‘t enjoy the book as much as I wanted to—until the two converged at the end. 2mo

BarbaraJean @ChaoticMissAdventures YES to Roland Barthes. I don‘t know if I‘ve ever actually read his essay, but I read so much about and around the idea in lit theory classes. And I think Okorafor MUST have intended to reference the idea if not the essay directly. 2mo

DebinHawaii Like much of the group, I was caught by surprise by the ending & had to go back to it & while I‘m still confused a bit, it was pretty brilliant. I never got close to Zelu or any character in the book really, except for the characters in the robot chapters but it was very readable & I like the idea of reading it again in a few months now that I know how it ends. I forgot to vote for the #CampLitsy titles but was happy this one was picked since ⬇️ 2mo

DebinHawaii … I‘d ordered it through #Aardvark The discussions of course made the book for me. Thanks for the fabulous hosting @Megabooks 2mo

Meshell1313 @BookwormAHN yes exactly! I know there must have been signs I missed because I was completely surprised! Very timely based on current events! 1mo

43 likes52 comments

Death of the Author (Deluxe Limited Edition) | Nnedi Okorafor

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Wow!! Wow!! Wow!!

This may be the best book of the year! Wow!!

Just finished. Review to come. But my mind is blown! 🤯

@Megabooks @squirrelbrain @BarbaraBB

#CampLitsy

TheBookHippie One of the authors I found through #FOODANDLIT !! 2mo

squirrelbrain High praise indeed! 2mo

BarbaraBB Wow, that‘s high praise! 2mo

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Librarybelle I‘ve debated trying this, as it‘s not my typical genre. I may have to try it thanks to your glowing praise! 2mo

Megabooks So glad you enjoyed it!!! 2mo

Texreader @Librarybelle Only part sci-fi. But don‘t neglect that part if you do read it. It‘s amazing. You don‘t see that ending coming 2mo

Suet624 @Librarybelle It's not my typical genre either but #CampLitsy25 had me reading it and I am not disappointed. A really good story. 2mo

Librarybelle I guess I‘ll put it on hold through the library…I‘m now having a bit of FOMO. Thanks, @Texreader @Suet624 ! 2mo

Prairiegirl_reading I got stuck behind Wild Dark Shore. I just struggled with that one and I just can‘t get it finished! I have been listening to woodworking so I‘ll least be ready for next week. I really want to get to this one eventually! 2mo

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CBee

Death of the Author: A Novel | Nnedi Okorafor

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This.was.EXCELLENT. The ending had me puzzled, but in a good way. Can‘t wait for discussion! #camplitsy25 @BarbaraBB @Megabooks @squirrelbrain #TBRtarot

Megabooks You won‘t have to wait long! Excited, too! 2mo

squirrelbrain Hooray - glad you loved it! ❤️ 2mo

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Suet624

Death of the Author (Deluxe Limited Edition) | Nnedi Okorafor

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On the left, the book jacket. On the right, the book. The story is as creative as the book design. A novel I only read because of #CampLitsy25 and one I‘m so glad I didn‘t miss out on. Immersive, page turning, and layered.

Texreader Yes this is so cool how they did this. I‘m listening to it and I really like it. 2mo

Suet624 @Texreader is it easy to tell when the robot is talking? 2mo

BarbaraBB What a great book design. My edition wasn‘t that cool. No layers. 2mo

Kitta Oh I just noticed mine is like that too! How cool. 2mo

Suet624 @Kitta Hahaha. Really cool! 2mo

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mcctrish

Death of the Author (Deluxe Limited Edition) | Nnedi Okorafor

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I don‘t know why my copy has a canada sticker on it. I can‘t wait until Saturday to talk about the second half of this. I can‘t believe how many layers there are to this story and someone was smart enough to bring it into being 🤯 #camplitsy

TEArificbooks Great photo. I want to be on a beach reading. 2mo

Suet624 I agree with you. 2mo

mcctrish @TEArificbooks I‘m so glad the day we went to visit friends was such a perfect beach weather day 2mo

mcctrish @Suet624 I dreamed all night about it 2mo

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Butterfinger

Death of the Author: A Novel | Nnedi Okorafor

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I predict this book will win many awards. This book is so creatively written by weaving the love of stories with ideas of new technology.

While reading, I learned that individuals don't want to be boxed-in by labels. Okorafor is more than a sci-fi or a speculative writer; she's a bloody good storyteller by mirroring all parts of herself in her art. Im going to take this lesson to heart.

#CampLitsy25 @Megabooks @BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain

squirrelbrain Great review! ❤️ 2mo

TheBookHippie ♥️ 2mo

Suet624 Truth! 2mo

Megabooks Love!! 2mo

64 likes4 comments

Bookwormjillk

Death of the Author: A Novel | Nnedi Okorafor

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This one was a low pick for me- story within a story very rarely is my thing. I have a very hard time stopping myself from skimming over those parts. The ending though, if I understood it correctly, blew me away. That‘s a big if so I look forward to discussing this at #CampLitsy this weekend. @Megabooks @BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain

Reggie That the robot actually wrote Zelu‘s story? I was like 😯😮😲😵lol 2mo

Butterfinger I think that explains why I was lost. Some part of me didn't care for the Rusted Robots and my mind wandered during those parts. 2mo

AmyG @Reggie Ha…I was like WHAT? 2mo

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Reggie @AmyG lol yes! 2mo

BarbaraBB I felt pretty much the same. I am not a fan of books in books either, let alone SF books, but that ending 😳 2mo

squirrelbrain Yes, I agree with your review too -I wasn‘t keen on the robot story. 2mo

Bookwormjillk @Reggie yes. At first I thought the book was over and it was an interview with Okorafor. But then it dawned on me that it wasn‘t. 2mo

Lesliereadsalot The ending made the book worthwhile for me! 2mo

Bookwormjillk @Lesliereadsalot same once I figured out that I had understood it correctly 😁 2mo

AmyG @Lesliereadsalot YES 2mo

Megabooks I can‘t wait to see what people say about what‘s behind the spoiler tag on Saturday! 2mo

Suet624 Such a creative story. Needed to read that last chapter twice. 😂 “wait….what?” (edited) 2mo

Bookwormjillk @Suet624 SAME. I actually thought it was an interview with the author and I had missed the ending 😂 2mo

72 likes13 comments

kspenmoll

Death of the Author: A Novel | Nnedi Okorafor

Early morning breakfast on the porch before the predicted humidity & heat chases me indoors for the day. Such a quiet, peaceful way to start my day! There are birds, hummingbirds, & bees with an occasional rooster crow -music to my ears. #coffeeandbooks #porchlife #birdsong #Camplitsy

Kimzey Lovely photo! I can sense the peace. Beautiful way to start the day! 2mo

TheBookHippie Zen!! 2mo

Cuilin Love your porch pics. 2mo

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Chelsea.Poole Perfect! 2mo

Lesliereadsalot What a great teacup and saucer! I would love one like that. 2mo

kspenmoll @Lesliereadsalot I “had to buy” this when I was having high English tea at a local tea shop(gift from my husband). 2mo

Lesliereadsalot Great gift to yourself which you deserve! 2mo

squirrelbrain Beautiful! ❤️ 2mo

AnnCrystal Lovely view 💝💝💝. 2mo

Suet624 I‘m with @Cuilin 2mo

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jenniferw88

Death of the Author: A Novel | Nnedi Okorafor

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#camplitsy25 is really knocking it out of the park this year for me - all 3 have got 5 🌟 from me so far, and I may even try the one I was unsure about! (Tilt). @Megabooks @BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain

#atozultimatechallenge #d #booktitle #o #authorname #z #bookthatcameoutthisyear @AudiobookingWithLeah

#52bookclub25 #marchmini #makesyourollyoureyes (the characters do!)

#aty25 #dealswithtimetravelalternateuniversesoralternatetimelines

Butterfinger Did the parents redeem themselves, in your opinion? 2mo

jenniferw88 @Butterfinger, yes, they're still not 100% perfect, but a lot better than at the start 2mo

BarbaraBB So happy #CampLitsy25 is working out so well for you! I have high hopes for the remaking three books as well! 2mo

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jenniferw88 @BarbaraBB 😀 Death of the Author gave me my first 'late night' reading session since breaking my hip nearly a year ago! I'm normally turning my light off at 10:00. Last night was just a bit after 11! 2mo

Megabooks So glad you loved this and that you're enjoying camp this year! 2mo

BarbaraBB Wow, that says a lot! 2mo

Suet624 I find that CampLitsy always brings interesting and unusual books to my attention. 2mo

55 likes7 comments

Death of the Author (Deluxe Limited Edition) | Nnedi Okorafor

I just reached the halfway point so I can now dive into the weekend comments! #campLitsy

@Megabooks @squirrelbrain @BarbaraBB

BarbaraBB You‘ll love them! 2mo

squirrelbrain Hooray! 🎉 2mo

Bookwormjillk The discussions have been so good this summer! 2mo

Megabooks YAY! 2mo

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Roary47

Death of the Author: A Novel | Nnedi Okorafor

Yes! Found it at the library finally! 😍

Megabooks, squirrelbrain, BarbaraBB

Decalino I really loved this one! 2mo

AmyG Enjoy! 2mo

Megabooks Awesome! 2mo

squirrelbrain Hooray! 🎉 2mo

Viola2012 I want to read it❤️❤️❤️ 1mo

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vonnie862

Death of the Author: A Novel | Nnedi Okorafor

pick

This was an incredible story-within-a-story book with sci-fi elements. I was highly invested in Zelu's story in finding her identity and freedom within her Nigerian traditional family. The family drama and trauma were understandable to her character. Then there was Zelu's sci-fi creation story: though it was fictional, it was filled with political commentary. I give this 4 ⭐️

#camplitsy25 #bookspinbingo

42 likes

Butterfinger

Death of the Author: A Novel | Nnedi Okorafor

I finally decided to buy a digital copy of #CampLitsy I was missing important details. It didn't have anything to do with the narration. I understand so much more #AfricanFuturism

@Megabooks @BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain

Megabooks So glad! It's a really great book. I'm happy to have read it twice this year! 2mo

squirrelbrain That‘s great! 2mo

38 likes2 comments

Caterina

Death of the Author: A Novel | Nnedi Okorafor

Really enjoying this book I picked up at a bookstore in Half Moon Bay when my husband and I were staying in Moss Beach last weekend! I enjoyed the Binti series several years ago and the blurb for this book pulled me right in. It's also easy to focus on when I'm not feeling well! (#chronicillness) #disability #disabilitypridemonth

BarbaraBB You should read the discussion about the book we had just yesterday. It adds so much to the book! You can find it on @Megabooks thread! #CampLitsy25 2mo

Megabooks Agree with Barbara! I'd love to have another spoonie join the discussion! 2mo

Suet624 Oh, I miss Half Moon Bay. 2mo

41 likes3 comments

Death of the Author (Deluxe Limited Edition) | Nnedi Okorafor

I‘m tired of waiting for my library hold (still several months out) so I‘ve splurged one of my Audible credits to get this book for #campLitsy. I hope to start it by tomorrow

@BarbaraBB @Megabooks @squirrelbrain

BarbaraBB Don‘t miss out on yesterday‘s discussion if your halfway through. It adds so much to the reading experience and, probably, the second half of the book! 2mo

Megabooks @BarbaraBB 100% agree - so glad you'll be joining us Karen! 2mo

squirrelbrain Hope you can catch up soon! 🤞 2mo

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Jas16

Death of the Author: A Novel | Nnedi Okorafor

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As soon I could today, I sat down and finished this book after today‘s #camplitsy discussion. I loved this. It surprised me at every turn from beginning to end. A book within a book that is half sci fi tale about robots but always supremely human, it covers a lot but it to me it all distilled down to the power of shared stories to bring us together as well as the courage to write our own stories. So lolling forward to next week‘s conversation.

Jas16 #14books14weeks Book 9 2mo

BarbaraBB Your take on the first half of the book were very valuable to me. Can‘t wait for next week. 2mo

squirrelbrain Great review! 2mo

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Jas16 @BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain Thank you both. I am really excited to hear everyone‘s thoughts next week. 2mo

Suet624 Just finished this one and I‘m so happy with the ending. 2mo

Jas16 @Suet624 wasn‘t it incredible?! 2mo

Suet624 It was so impressive. 2mo

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Ruthiella

Death of the Author: A Novel | Nnedi Okorafor

#weekendreads

Two main books to focus on for #CampLitsy25 and #NancyDrewBR but also still keeping up with #HashtagBrigade and #KLBR . 👍

rachelsbrittain

IMASLOWREADER omg…nancy drew!!! such a classic (edited) 2mo

Ruthiella @IMASLOWREADER We are reading all of them in a group on Litsy #NancyDrewBR . Join us if you like! 😊 2mo

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JamieArc

Death of the Author: A Novel | Nnedi Okorafor

Anyone else nervous to dive into the second half because you‘re afraid it‘s going to feel like watching a train wreck? Can I volunteer to be Zelu‘s publicist? Seriously, why doesn‘t she have one??
#CampLitsy25

TheBookHippie My book is in transit yet 😵‍💫 2mo

JamieArc @TheBookHippie I do the Aardvark book subscription and it was an option a few months ago. Glad I chose it. It‘s making me think about a lot of interesting things. I‘m looking forward to having a conversation about it with a friend who is a professor of Disability Studies. 2mo

TheBookHippie @JamieArc me who put all book subscriptions on hold 🤦🏻‍♀️ 2mo

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Bookwormjillk Yes very nervous given the title 2mo

Suet624 Considering the title, I'm curious how she'll finish the story. 2mo

JamieArc @Bookwormjillk Glad I‘m not alone! 2mo

JamieArc @Suet624 Me too, but I think they used that phrase in the story already… just can‘t remember the context. 2mo

TheKidUpstairs @JamieArc @Suet624 the phrase was used in one of her class discussions, referring to the literary theory that the meaning of a book is determined by the readers' responses, not by the author's intentions. 2mo

JamieArc @TheKidUpstairs Thanks Megan! 2mo

52 likes9 comments

Death of the Author: A Novel | Nnedi Okorafor

Hi everyone! Welcome to week 1 of our first July book, Death of the Author. As last month, I‘ll only be tagging everyone in this question, but there are two additional ones.

Friendly reminder if you‘ve read ahead to keep the discussion to the first half of the book. Excited to hear everyone‘s opinions!

Sorry for the late post. My neighbors were enthusiastically shooting off fireworks until 1 AM. 😬 #CampLitsy25