Death of the Author is the kind of book that makes you feel like you’re in on some grand literary joke—until you realize the joke might actually be on you. Nnedi Okorafor serves up a mind-bending mix of speculative fiction, metafiction, and philosophical musings, but somewhere along the way, the plot starts to feel like Schrödinger’s storyline: both present and missing at the same time.

The prose is sharp, the ideas are fascinating, and the book plays with reality in a way that’s undeniably cool... but also frustrating. Characters wax poetic about the nature of stories and authorship while the actual story sometimes takes a backseat. It’s as if the book is daring you to question whether you even need a coherent narrative—spoiler alert: I kinda do.

I’ve been a Nnedi Okorafor fan for a long time, and her new releases are always cause for excitement in the SFF community. But this one felt like it was getting some *extra* buzz, and from a broader range of review publications, which made me even more excited to read it. Unsurprisingly, this genre-bender not only delivers but also hits differently than anything else she’s written.

Death of the Author gives us a book-within-a-book, going back and forth between the story of a quadriplegic Nigerian-American woman writer named Zelu and the post-apocalyptic science fiction robot novel that catapults her to fame. Both stories function amid the backdrop of Nigerian culture, storytelling, and mythology. Zelu is expertly crafted: fierce, compelling, and believable. I didn’t like her much, but I was rooting for her, especially with all her family drama (even if there was a bit too much of that in this story for my personal taste).

Okorafor not only blurs lines between genres but also, at the end (that ending!!), subverts our expectations in a way that challenges us to reconsider the very act of storytelling — the thing that makes us human — itself. Readers who like both contemporary fiction and sci-fi will love this, probably followed by contemporary fiction readers who don’t mind added sci-fi or speculative elements, followed by die-hard sci-fi readers. Either way, definitely read this if you like genre play and exploration and books that challenge how stories can work.

Thanks to William Morrow for gifted access via Netgalley. All opinions below are my own.

“Stories are what holds all things together. They make things matter, they make all things be, exist.”

———————-

Gosh, I’m not even sure where to start describing this one. It is one of the most deep and overwhelming fantasy / contemporary fiction books I’ve ever read. Zelu is a Nigerian American woman, writer, who had an accident as a child and is in a wheelchair. Her family is overbearing and protective and does not understand her unconventional ways and need for adventure. When she fluently tells off a student, she is fired from her creative writing professorship and her life takes a turn. Moving back in with her parents she slowly chips away at a fantasy novel which will catapult her to fame and change her life forever.

The writing in this book is incredible, it alternates chapters where you get pieces of Zelu’s life go through her own eyes and those around her. We know she is now famous, and something has happened where her family and friends are filling us in on who they think she is. In parallel with this, we get chapters of her book which is focused on a future where humanity is gone and robots and AI are fighting a genocide against one another.

You 100% will be confused as to where this is going for a good portion of the novel. You will feel for Zelu as her family constantly belittles her, you will feel for her family as she makes reckless choice after reckless choice and you will be amazed by the humanity of her creations on the page. How it all came together in the end was absolutely stunning. I will be thinking about this book for a long time.

This book was not at all what I thought it would be. Equal parts sci-fi and contemporary fiction, I don’t think I’ve ever read something more genre-bending. I loved the store within a story (within a story?). I loved Zelu and hated her, admired her strength and ability to know what she wanted, but got annoyed with her somewhat self-centered nature and sometimes woe-is-me attitude— all the complex emotions a real person would exhibit. I was annoyed by her family, but accepted that I do not understand the inner workings of a Nigerian-American family. All in all this book really made me think, but was also fun. I enjoyed the circular nature of it as well.

Nnedi Okorafor’s "Death of the Author" is a spellbinding blend of personal struggle, speculative imagination, and incisive social commentary. At its heart is Zelu, a paraplegic Nigerian American writer grappling with profound setbacks at a destination wedding in Trinidad and Tobago. Fired from her teaching job and facing yet another rejection for her decade-long novel project, Zelu reaches her lowest point. Yet, out of despair comes inspiration as she begins penning a futuristic tale of rusted robots on a post-human Earth. This story within the story breathes new life into Zelu's career, mirroring her own journey of resilience and transformation. The intertwining of these narratives creates a fascinating meta-layer that keeps readers enthralled.

Okorafor’s characters leap off the page, with Zelu leading the charge as a dynamic and multifaceted protagonist. Her struggles with family expectations, newfound fame, and life as a disabled woman are handled with nuance and emotional depth. The novel’s secondary narrative—centered on the Hume robot and disembodied AI Ghost—acts as a compelling parallel to Zelu’s life, exploring themes of identity, connection, and overcoming division. The richly imagined robotic society offers a canvas for Okorafor's exploration of humanity, making the novel not only deeply personal but also thematically profound.

The book’s pacing and vivid prose make for an immensely satisfying read, effortlessly toggling between the near-future reality of Zelu’s world and the far-future imaginings of her novel. Okorafor weaves humor, tension, and introspection into a cohesive tapestry, delivering a story that’s as entertaining as it is thought-provoking. "Death of the Author" is a standout work that showcases Okorafor’s unmatched ability to seamlessly blend speculative and literary fiction, solidifying her place as one of the genre’s brightest voices.

Metafiction done well is hard to find, and I am happy to say that Nnedi Okarafor succeeded in DEATH OF THE AUTHOR. I read this book in one sitting! I loved the storytelling and how racisms, ableism, and sexism are deftly incorporated. An engrossing and timely book.

Intense and thought provoking read. After finishing i had to let the book marinate to give it the right review. Days later, the book remains in my head. I laughed, cried, got angry, my emotions were all over the place! I enjoy this author previous books, but this one hit me differently. Can't wait to see what they comes up with next!

#Death of the Author
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3.5 rounded up! I liked this a lot! I liked the multiple storylines and though a bit slow, it definitely kept my interest! I'm not sure if the summary was a great reflection of where the story actually went, I kept waiting for something else to happen that was actually her book coming true, so if I hadn't been expecting that I think I would have loved it.

A book within a book about a disabled author who pens a brilliant sci-fi novel that catapults her into the spotlight and brings along a tidal wave of changes for humankind (and robotkind). This stunning work of metafiction by master of the genre Nnedi Okorafor is brilliant, expertly written, and so full of heart! Sure to delight both her avid fans and new readers alike who read more within the literary fiction space.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to preview Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor in exchange for my honest review. I don't read much sci-fi, so I hadn't been exposed to Okorafor's previous work. After reading this, I will absolutely be searching out more of her writing. This book was very well written with a case of believable characters and a fascinating metafiction element. I adored the robot storyline, particularly the interactions between the AI robots and those with a more human-like presentation. The way this mirrored the experiences of the main character as she writes her new book was unique and provided a different way of understanding both the human and robot characters.

Death of the Author was such a lovely book; it made me feel the emotions of the main characters and kept me fully engaged throughout. I can't wait to read more from Nnedi Okorafor.

I loved Nnedi Okorafor's YA series, Akata Witch, so I was excited to read this adult fiction novel. It was an interesting story with a lot of reflections on humanity, AI, and. At first, the Rusted Robot story line caught me off guard but I really enjoyed it by the third time it came up and I found myself wanting more! Overall, a great novel.

A young woman fights through the obstacles in her life in a parallel of her stellar debut novel. I enjoyed the rich scifi story interwoven with the plot, the beautiful picture of Nigeria and the cultures of the people, and the technological possibilities explored. I find novels set and steeped in African culture a little slow and hard to enjoy as a rule. They seem to read like morality plays and are hard to get through for me. This is just a personal preference, but it influenced my opinion of this book.

Thank you to NetGalley for my copy. These opinions are my own.

This was such an interesting book. The author's brain is just so amazing. Zelu is such a controversial character. She had me so frustrated with her choices but also I felt so much for her with how her family seemed to belittle everything that she did.

The end of Death of the Author genuinely surprised and delighted me, but unfortunately the payoff came too late. The novel, which moves between a story about a disabled Nigerian author named Zelu and the sci fi book that makes her famous, never quite cohered for me. Despite the huge ideas taken up by the novel—the potential for technology to transform disability, the relationship between AI and story-telling, literal space travel—the pace of the novel is quite slow, and much of it is devoted to Zelu’s anger. Some of this anger, like that directed at her family for their ableism, feels very fair, and some, like that aimed at her readership, does not. Overall, I found Death of the Author a slow and somewhat frustrating read, albeit one that seems destined to enter the growing canon of books grappling with the impact of AI on society.

I've seen this author's books on other people's TBRs but had never read any of them. Based on my experience reading this one I will be watching for more books by Okorafor. The disability representation in this novel is fantastic, and I really liked the portrayal of how technology that seems gimmicky to many people offers particularly attractive options for disabled people, especially through things like self-driving cars. Given where we are tech-wise in real life, maybe this book will read more as literary fiction over time, and not as sci-fi at all, but for now the sci-fi elements provide a novel alternative to the more common sci-fi narratives. I really enjoyed this book, and will not be surprised if it winds up on several prize longlists this year.

Death of an Author is a book that pulls you in and doesn’t let go. At first, it feels more like a deep dive into the life of Zelu, a struggling Nigerian American writer from Chicago, than a science fiction story. She’s facing rejection, unemployment, and a family that doesn’t believe in her. At her lowest point, she writes a novel, Rusted Robots, that unexpectedly takes off and changes everything. The story jumps between Zelu’s life and chapters from her book, creating a unique reading experience. It’s not your typical sci-fi—it’s more personal and emotional—but that’s what makes it so powerful. Some readers might expect a more traditional approach, but I think that’s what makes this book stand out.

The best part is how the two stories connect. Rusted Robots is set in a future where robots have taken over Earth, and while it seems completely separate from Zelu’s journey, the way it all comes together is brilliant. Zelu and her book become so intertwined that you can’t imagine one without the other. The characters are raw and flawed, making them feel incredibly real—even when they make choices you don’t always agree with. I couldn’t put this book down, and the ending was exactly what it needed to be. I’ve read some of Nnedi Okorafor’s work before, but this one really stuck with me. I can’t wait to read more!

Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor is a thought-provoking and imaginative story that introduces us to Zelu who is suddenly dropped from her university job. Coupled with that, her latest novel is rejected. That night she decides to write a book unlike her others. One that explores the interplay between authorship, identity, and control. Set in a near-future world, the narrative delves into the life of an acclaimed author who becomes entangled in a web of intrigue and manipulation.

Okorafor masterfully weaves elements of science fiction and speculative fiction to create a compelling tale that challenges conventional notions of storytelling and ownership. The protagonist's journey is both fascinating and deeply introspective, as they grapple with the implications of their own creations and the forces that seek to exploit them.

The story is rich with Okorafor's signature blend of vibrant world-building and nuanced character development. Her prose is lyrical and evocative, drawing readers into a world where the lines between reality and fiction blur. The themes explored in the story resonate on multiple levels, prompting readers to reflect on the power dynamics inherent in the act of writing and the relationship between creator and creation.

Death of the Author is a captivating and thought-provoking read that showcases Nnedi Okorafor's exceptional storytelling abilities. It's a must-read for fans of speculative fiction and anyone interested in exploring the complex intersections of identity, creativity, and control.

This book was phenomenal! One of the most unique books I’ve ever read. This is a perfect blend of contemporary fiction and science fiction, making it fully approachable if you’re new to the science fiction genre.

The twist had me completely in shock and I haven’t stopped thinking about this book for over a month now!

A paraplegic author writes a sci-fi novel and grapples with family, fame, and AI.
I could not put this book down, I loved the mix of sci-fi and its intersection with both Nigerian culture and the present cultural zeitgeist. The storytelling was captivating and a good blend of imagination and folklore.
Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC!

Books in this subgenre- authors on authors- often just don’t connect with me. In most cases, the reader doesn’t exist within the context of the publishing industry or online fame and it takes some more legwork by the author to make the reader feel invited in to the story. The folks editing and providing early feedback to books are also usually insiders to the industry, so it’s more difficult to have a reliable outsider perspective. It can get very navel-gazey very quickly, so I was a bit nervous about the premise despite really enjoying everything I’ve read from Okorafor so far. I shouldn’t have worried. Okorafor is so good as making extremely specific stories and characters- e.g., a cybernetic woman on the run from the authorities in a giant sandstorm- emotionally resonate in ways both specific and universal. If she can make her fantastical characters easy to connect with (a murderous jellyfish alien being one of my favorites), of course the publishing industry provides no barrier.
If I had to pick one thing to say that this book is about- which is hard because it’s about a lot of things- it would be alienation. Zelu feels a sense of alienation from her own body, a feeling that is explored through her use of cutting-edge mobility aids in the story. As a Nigerian American, she deals with alienation from both her parent’s communities in Nigerian and the broader community in Chicago, especially when she loses her job at the university. Within her own family, she’s alienated by how her parents and siblings perceive her because of her non-traditional life path and disability. She becomes alienated from her own book when a movie studio’s adaptation strips away its Nigerian context and then again when the public perception of the movie is so different from her own. Even within the story within the story, Ankara and Ijele become alienated from their respective robot communities through their entanglement with each other. This is such an important theme, especially post-pandemic, especially in our increasingly fragmented world, and Okorafor approaches it insightfully from many angles in this book.
Zelu is an amazing character. I’m not a big litfic person, but I ended up even more invested in her story than the SF one she’s writing. I started out kind of annoyed at her, but she not-so-slowly won me over completely. She’s so messy and makes lots of choices that you wish she wouldn’t, but you can also get why she’s doing what she’s doing. She’s not always ‘heroic’ (although she does get some heroically brave moments), but she is always easy to root for, even within her mistakes. I love love love a complicated protagonist- my love for Zelu is also, frankly, a great reminder that we don’t need to be perfect to be worthwhile.
My family is very different from Zelu’s, as is my experience with my own disability, but I still felt seen in a way I seldom have by how she interacted with them in regard to it. There are a few moments when she’s so scared about navigating her mobility aids perfectly, not because she’s afraid of falling, but because she’s afraid of what her family seeing her struggle for their perception of her. Messing up at all will prove their worries right, give them an opportunity to rush in and smother you, which in turn makes you so nervous about messing up that you’re more likely to do it. This is such a specific feeling that I hadn’t realized I’d never seen written out like this. Disability, definitionally, means that some things are going to be more difficult, so you can’t ask your family to not worry at all, nor would you truly want that, but the line between supportive and patronizing can be so thin. It’s hard. Even with people who are trying to do the right thing for someone they love. Granted, this doesn’t apply to all of Zelu’s family- some of them flat up suck- but Okorafor layers the complexities of family with the specifics of disability, artistic, and Nigerian-American experiences in a way that leads to interesting thorniness that kept me hooked into the story.
The ending was, I think, the weakest part and the interviews with Zelu’s family didn’t quite loop back into the main narrative how I assumed they would, but I wonder how a second reading will impact that perception. I’m definitely going to read it again. It ruled. Nnedi Okorafor is for sure an auto-buy for me at this point, her craft in writing and constructing worlds is just so good. I note this in every review, but I just love the economy of language in her prose, how she can make complex ideas seem deceptively simple. This is my favorite book of hers so far!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.