I’ve been a fan of Nnedi Okorafor’s work since Lagoon. Since then, I’ve always kept my eyes open for new fiction by the author. I’m happy to report that Remote Control is an excellent sci-fi novella, and I really enjoyed reading it.

Remote Control is an Afrofuturist novella set in a near future — everyone is even more connected than they are today, robotics have advanced, and corporations still have too much power over the communities in which they operate. Much of this is just the background of the story, however: the book very much focuses on Sankofa’s experiences, and her long, unrelenting quest to recover what was stolen from her.

Okorafor’s writing is excellent, as expected. From descriptions to dialogue, the author gives readers everything they need. The description is often minimal, but always evocative and interesting. Each character, whether Sankofa or mere bit players, is well-drawn and easily imagined.

Sankofa’s nature is never fully explained, but readers are given hints and more details throughout the novella. I thought this worked very well, because Sankofa herself is not aware of how or why she became changed. She’s a gentle soul suddenly imbued with a deadly power that she is not fully in control of.

As we follow Sankofa on her quest, you really feel for her — she is separated from society and the communities she travels to and through by her nature and her power. The myth that arises in her wake and precedes her journey alternates between positive and negative — some paint her as an angel of mercy, while others see her as a bad omen and evil. In each new community she arrives at, people quickly know who she is. Sometimes, she’s met with incredible generosity — given warily, however. She often plays the role of medieval “witch”: turned to when help is needed, but quickly and easily turned against if anything goes wrong. We learn of her desire for connection, her continued wariness of others and her not-entirely-under-control abilities.

If you’re looking for a near-future sci-fi novel with a difference, than I would definitely recommend Remote Control. I really enjoyed this.

I absolutely love the way Nnedi Okorafor combines the culture and traditions of the African culture with futuristic technology. The juxtaposition of these two backdrops makes her writing unique and captivating.
Fatima starts her life as a normal little girl in a small village until a meteorite shower changes everything about her life. I feel like there is definitely room for this story to continue and I certainly hope that it does. I loved this story. Highly recommended.