This story follows Zelu, an author who just cannot write the right book. Her life is not exactly where she wants it to be, but when she loses her job and has to deal with her family's unsupportive response, she types out one of the best novels she could have ever written. Her life takes off, but it takes her on many rides - and none are what she expects.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I also enjoyed how the book was set up (letting us take part in the story she creates) and written. This story was so relatable and simple, yet interesting. I wish there was a book two coming (hopefully?). This is my first book from this author, but I will definitely be reading more. I also love the cultural themes in the book. I honestly have nothing bad to say about this read. It's been a while since a book has been 5 stars for me.

What an amazing book! I was slow to finish this one because the world is going crazy, but I took this morning to stay still and read the rest of this book and my brain is still reeling. Nnedi Okorafor manages to tell two different stories in one, creating flawed and complex characters who made me angry and feel all good inside.

I absolutely love Zelu, the main character in the book because she’s flawed and not some sugar-coated version of someone with a disability. Too many people think having a disability means a person no longer has any flaws, desires or dreams. We just see them as disabled (I’ve been guilty of that). But the author writes a very complex and headstrong character in Zelu, which is apparent from the very first few pages of the book. I know I’ll be thinking about her for a long time.

Beautifully written and engaging! I've loved books by Nnedi Okorafor, but this might just be my favorite. First, I always think it's gutsy to write a novel that features a book-within-a-book. So much could go wrong - and it could also be confusing. Not here! And how ballsy to make it a sci-fi book within a lit-fic book?! A tough sell, but in Okorafor's hands, magic happened. The contemporary story of Zelu, a disabled lit professor turned sci-fi author is arresting. We get to experience her as she is different in so many ways, non-traditional by her Nigerian's family standards, and uncompromising in being true to herself. We experience ehr as a debut author with a runaway hit sci-fi books about robots in a future World where humans are no more (well, there was 1 left). And we get the story of the Robots, how their society is structured, their love of stories, hatred of humans, and so much more. There's no much to this book, yet it was written so well. so detailed, the characters virtually lived in my head while I was reading and after I was finished. There are some places where I felt the story dragged a little, but being immersed in this World was a gift to me! Highly recommend.

While the premise was nice, the writing was... not what I expected. I wanted more from the characters because I felt that what was on the front cover and the front flap was not what we were given.

Well .... I guess this book was just not for me. I was interested and invested in Zelu's story. The tragic accident, her surprise best-seller and the heartbreak of the way her family did not support her especially when she got the robot legs, her struggle to write the second book,,, but the excerpts from the robot novel just irked me....I really didn't care about it, I wanted to read about Zelu. Then the last quarter of the book I found myself just skimming---too much robot novel and not enough about Zelu.

This author is talented but I think the book was just not for me.

If you haven’t read this book, you have to. Like. That’s it, that’s the pitch from me. Don’t ask questions, just get a copy. Ok? Ok. 🤣 but actually I’m obsessing over DEATH OF THE AUTHOR ✍️ I’ve heard it compared to YELLOWFACE which is a solid comparison, though this book plays with genre bending in that the Zelu, the protagonist and “author” in question, is also sharing her novel with us in between chapters, which is heavily sci-fi. I can’t explain how good this book is, and how quickly it hooked me. Something about Tolu and the realism of her story, paired with this robotic, AI-inspired novel she’s writing, was just the perfect mix that created such a complex story that I could ACTUALLY see taking place in our current literary and politic world. I don’t want to spoil anything for yall, so just trust me that you need to read this one. It’ll definitely be on my 2025 favorites list

3.75/5✨

2025 release. BIPOC author. Disability rep. Sci-fi. Literary fiction. Metafiction.

“Death of the Author” follows Zelu, a disabled, struggling, Nigerian-American author publishes a groundbreaking novel, and finds herself reimagining her identity amongst the public's and her family's oppressing opinions and Ankara, a human-like robot in a post-apocalyptic world, who finds herself divided between robot-kind amidst a war and a doomsday countdown.

There were so many good things about this book. I loved Zelu, her strong personality, and the rich fabric of her life. There was so much good commentary on publishing and the publishing industry as well as the negatives of fame, especially as a minority. Everything about Zelu’s chapters had me proud and heartbroken and endlessly rooting for her. I think that her complex relationship with her family and culture were nuanced. And Zelu and Msizi — 💕. The sci-fi elements of Zelu’s chapters, like her exos and the self-driving cars were believable and woven seamlessly into an otherwise familiar world. Also, the twist at the end!

Now, what didn’t work for me as well were the robot chapters. I just did not care, and I found myself racing through them to get back to Zelu. That said, I can see what they added to the story.

Overall, I definitely recommend this. There was so much to love about it. If you like books about books/the publishing industry, strong-willed characters and/or sci-fi elements in an otherwise normal world, definitely pick this up.

This is my seventh book by Nnedi Okorafor, and she is quickly becoming not just an auto-buy author but one of my favorite storytellers. She has an uncanny ability to create deeply compelling characters who defy the expectations of those around them, and Ankara and Zelu are no exception.

Death of the Author feels like a turning point for Okorafor. It feels more personal and direct in its exploration of themes. It’s a story within a story, following Zelu, a disabled Nigerian-American author, whose bestselling novel propels her into stardom during one of the lowest points of her life. Her newfound wealth and attention allow her to become even more independent and consider technologies that were once out of reach. Within Zelu’s book, we follow Ankara, a hume (a robot) who loves stories and travels across Nigeria to collect them. Along the way, Ankara uncovers vital information that could destroy both Earth and all A.I. living on it.

I tend to enjoy books with stories within a story, but they don’t always feel cohesive. Often one narrative is more compelling than the other, making it easy to lose interest. That wasn’t the case here. Both stories felt urgent, interconnected, and equally engaging, feeding off each other in a way that kept me hooked.

There’s a lot to unpack in this novel. Okorafor examines themes of authorship, storytelling, and an increasingly A.I.-driven world. She challenges us to consider who gets to create stories and which stories are worth telling while also weaving in conversations about disability and embodiment, friendship, grief, selfhood, and family. This is one of those books I know I’ll revisit and discover something new to appreciate each time.

If you’re curious about Okorafor’s work, Death of the Author is a great place to start. It is a seamless blend of literary fiction, sci-fi, and Africanfuturism.

Side note: I found it a bit comical that part of the story focuses on an author being barraged by fans to write a sequel for years—only for George R.R. Martin to blurb this very book.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for an advanced reader's copy of Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor.

My thoughts on this book are somewhat conflicted. For a disclaimer, this is the first time I've read a book by Nnedi Okorafor and sci-fi isn't my most-read genre, so there were definitely some issues that led to less enjoyment that were more of a "me" problem than any sort of problem with the book itself.

The themes of the book were its strongest asset, in my opinion. From discussing ableism to racism to whitewashing, this novel is extremely refreshing in terms of its representation. And the way these issues are dealt with by the characters feel sincere and not just that the author is trying to send you a message, as some stories do. In terms of storytelling, I personally love the utilization of the story-in-a-story, so I really enjoyed the twist at the end, though I will say up until then, I really had no interest in the Rusted Robots story and those chapters in the story.

My main issues with the novel have been mentioned by other people already, but it mainly comes down to the pacing of the story and the way I perceived the main character. I don't know if it's just because of the insertions of the Rusted Robot chapters or the interviews with Zelu's friends and family (which, I didn't feel added all that much tbh), but something about the pacing felt so slow, even during slower times in the story. There were certain times when it really felt like I was dragging through the book, even though the story moved quickly and the writing wasn't difficult to read. The biggest issue I had with DotA was with Zelu herself. I think this book being comped to Yellowface, and going in with that expectation, really did this book a disservice for me. But with Yellowface, the main character really is just a bad person, trying to dig herself out of holes that she's created which only makes the holes deeper. So, while Yellowface tackles many important issues that are similar to DotA, no one is really rooting for the main character or wanting her to succeed. So with that in mind, it was hard to tell if Zelu was supposed to be a good, but flawed character that I should root for or if she was just going to end up a jaded asshole. And I feel like that's the whole point, but I felt like the execution of her character just made me confused, not conflicted. I couldn't find myself liking, or really even caring much about any of the characters which I think made this story boring for me.

All in all, I'm glad I read this book because, though it wasn't my favorite, it was a very interesting and impactful read. I can't relate to everything that Zelu experiences, but I can certainly see how the issues discussed in DotA continue to impact the real world. My favorite aspect of the book was the story-in-a-story and I just wish the story had slowed down the timeline so that Zelu as a character could have been explored more.

Wow, what a power house of a novel! To have 2 full unrelated stories that intertwine so well feels masterful! This was my first time reading a novel from Okorafor and I will definitely be diving into her backlist. Both of the main characters were so lovable despite their flaws and the family dynamics and character relationships felt so real. I can't wait to reread this book knowing how it ends and seeing if I can pick up on other details as I go along!

Yes- this is such an incredible book that is a must for anyone who likes book, creativity, and what all that means within being human.

Death of the Author follows Zelu, who has just felt defeated by life recently. At a low point, she writes a book about robots and AI living on earth after humans, and her life changes.

This book is so incredibly well written, from the characters, to the plot, and the plot within the plot, it leaves the reader with a lot to ponder and explore though Okorafor's writing.

Zelu is a wheelchair bound author who struggles within her family to feel seen. Zelu writes a book about robots that becomes a best seller and gains the attention of a scientist who tells her he can help her walk again. Zelu takes him up on his offer which includes robotic legs that she will need to train on. After this I honestly couldn’t get any further in the book, this was not a story for me. The book within a book idea wouldn’t be bad but in this book it just made no sense, the characters were robots and it just felt unnecessary. The dynamics between Zelu and her family was hard to read, the constant downing of her and treating her bad wasn’t enjoyable. I know in African families this can be common, but I dont enjoy reading about women being berated and basically talked down upon, even if it is a part of the culture, it’s off putting. It made me pretty much hate her family and with the robot story added in I had no desire to finish this book. I am sure there are people who will love this books but it just wasn’t for me.

Thanks to William Morrow for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I finished this book a few weeks ago and I keep thinking about the very satisfying conclusion. I can’t say more or I’d ruin it. But I’m still bursting about how it ended (almost like I did about how Girls Burn Brighter wrapped things up).

I was drawn into the story immediately. The pacing is fast…exhilarating like a rollercoaster ride. When I scanned back to look for a detail, I was surprised to see how much action there had occurred.

There are lots of philosophical “moments,” about the value of stories, the process of writing or creating, disability, and the role of technology—yes specifically, Artificial Intelligence. But they occur naturally as part of the story. One of the most outstanding and simultaneously mundane elements in this book is the main character using a wheelchair. Zelu simply has a life with many relatable or common complaints and tribulations. Her struggles with an intrusive family, a gaslighting workplace, and trying to work lead her the creation of a lifetime.

The term, “death of the author,” refers to how a reader’s opinion is all that matters (over the author’s own take). This has multiple meanings by book’s end. Okorafor couldn’t have picked a better title.

The futuristic storyline that features advanced and AI technology reminded me of Anton Hur’s recent book, Toward Eternity, and Namwali Serpell's The Old Drift.

Quotes:

I loved where stories took me. How they made me feel. How they made everyone around me feel. Stories contain our existence; they are gods. And the fact that we created them from living, experiencing, listening, thinking, feeling, giving—they remind me of what’s great about being alive.
… If she remembered anything about him, it would be the word <i>moist</i>.

… The capitalism machine had used her book, her attempt at shouting into the void, to make visual comfort food for drowsy minds….

… I know that here in the United States, such things are not understood. You all spin everything that is not familiar to you as either terrible or less than you. You only see things through your narrow lens and personal experiences. It is your weakness, I understand….

Narrative is one of the key ways automation defines the world. We Humes have always been clear about this fact. Stories are what holds things together. They make things matter, they make all things be, exist. Our codes are written in a linear fashion. Our protocols are meant to be carried out with beginnings, middles, ends. Look at how I have been built. My operating system is Ankara themed, my body etched with geometric Ankara designs. I’m the embodiment of a human story. But true storytelling has always been one of the few great things humanity could produce that no automation could. Stories were prizes to be collected, shared, protected, and experienced.

“Tomorrow is where my hope lives. I can’t be normal, so I’ll be something else.”

Zelu Onyenezi-Onyedele, left paraplegic after a childhood accident, turns the lowest point in her life into a bestselling novel. The success and notoriety that follow force her to question her identity - to her family, to her fans, to herself. Set in a modern day-adjacent Chicago, with new innovations in robotics and AI on the horizon, Zelu pursues her dreams, even if it means bucking the expectations of those around her.

I loved how this story brought commentary about the power we give to social media to tell us how to feel, how to react, or who to look up to. Audiences feel entitled to the time and attention of the public figures they glorify. An artist cannot simply create art if they gain any sort of notability from their work - they are thrust into the spotlight, forced to play the game if they want to make a paycheck. No event can pass without a demand for their take on the situation. If, as in Zelu’s case, the artist falls across multiple levels of intersectionality (she is black, female, and disabled), they have the additional burden of representing that group as well. Some people carry that burden with grace. Zelu does not.

Zelu is not always likeable. But she doesn’t try to be. As a disabled person, so much of her autonomy is questioned or withheld, especially when she makes choices that fly in the face of her family’s expectations. Her role within her family was cemented when she was twelve years old, and as Zelu explores new opportunities that come as a result of her success, her parents and siblings struggle to adapt. I would be interested in seeing how a disabled reader interprets this aspect of the story. Not all disabled people blame themselves for an acquired disability, nor do they wish they could be “cured.” Zelu’s choices allow her into more able-bodied spaces while forcing both her and her family to come to terms with decades of blame and resentment under the spotlight of her fame.

As an infrequent science fiction reader, I did not know what to expect going into reading this one, but I thought it was brilliant. Nnedi Okorafor gives the reader a rich narrative that also offers commentary on fame, parasocial relationships, loss of cultural identity, disability access, immigrant family dynamics, microaggressions in academia, and what it means to pursue your dreams. If you enjoy character-driven fiction and stories-within-stories that unapologetically celebrate the cultures of those who write them, you will love Death of the Author.

**Thank you to Harper Collins (William Morrow Imprint) and Nnedi Okorafor for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.**

Wow. Okay. I’ve read a few of Okorafor’s books before, and while I enjoyed them, Death of the Author is in its own category. It’s more complex, more layered—both in terms of storytelling and writing.

It took me a little while to settle in. The dialogue in the first couple of chapters felt a bit stilted, but once I got into the rhythm, I was in. Okorafor seamlessly weaves together two narratives, and when they finally clicked into place, I literally gasped.

This book tackles big themes—belonging, autonomy, the tension between personal identity and public perception—while delivering a story that’s thought-provoking and immersive. It has a lot to say about who gets to tell their own story and what happens when that control is taken away.

It’s also a book that can appeal to a wide range of readers. Sci-fi fans will love the book-within-a-book concept, but it’s just as compelling for those newer to the genre.

Death of the Author is sharp, compelling, and totally unlike anything I’ve read before.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow!

I will be recommending this book to book clubs and so many friends!
As someone who very rarely reads speculative or science fiction, I found this accessible, interesting, thought-provoking and fun. The book-within-a-book format was so well-done and I was equally interested in both stories. The Afrofuturism of this novel combined with the exploration of AI and a family saga was so skillfully done, and made me want to read all of Okorafor's other work. Book clubs would have so much to discuss about this one-- the ending is particularly stunning and utterly memorable-- and how this is crafted makes for such a unique reading experience that am I already certain it will stand out amongst everything else I'll read this year. Not something I would normally pick up, but I'll be thinking about this for a long time and am extremely glad I did. Thanks very much to Netgalley and HarperCollins for the advanced copy!

Death of the Author (Hardcover)
by Nnedi Okorafor
A wonderful African Futurism book that shows the nature of history, family and privilege. The idea that family can focus on one member of the family to the detriment of the others.

Wow

Blew my mind, then did it again. And again.

First book I have read by Nnedi Okorafor. I don’t read a lot of science fiction but I was gifted a copy and it sounded like a plot I would enjoy. But there was no predicting or expecting or knowing what would come next. This book was full of surprises. And it definitely made me cry, and made me laugh out loud. Okorafor does a great job developing characters and a storyline. I felt like I was part of the family, because it was written in a way that made it seem like I was right there too. I didn’t just read this book. I had an experience.

DEATH OF THE AUTHOR
Nnedi Okorafor


Let me introduce you to Zelu…

Zelu is an adjunct English professor who just got fired for unfounded reasons if you let Zelu tell it. But who cares? Zelu doesn’t. She has her sister’s wedding to attend and that is all she can worry about right now. She’ll deal with life later.

She has a good time at the wedding. She is happy to celebrate her sister, she finds a way to enjoy her family, eats a lot of good food, dances a little, and even meets a man. The morning after she sits down and begins to write.

This writing…

It is unlike anything she has ever written before. This is DEATH OF THE AUTHOR.

I’m really interested in anything that has to do with artificial intelligence. It is extremely interesting to me how this creation was invented, how it may affect the world, how we can use it, how it can use us. I loved the way AI was discussed in this book and the one inside it.

Zelu is (not maybe) one of my favorite characters ever! She is real, she is someone you know IRL, she was crafted with the rainbow, and she jumps off the page.

The alignment of the concepts of being bodiless from a human and artificial intelligence perspective was superb. My words are not giving justice to the point where those concepts collide.

The writing was stellar, the themes were on point, and I was given room to roam in the vast universe that is Nnedi Okorafor.

Thanks to Netgalley and William Morrow for the advanced copy!

We read DEATH OF THE AUTHOR and discussed it in our Under The Radar Book Club. You can find us on Amazon and Fable. Join us, we’d love to have you.

DEATH OF THE AUTHOR…⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“True storytelling has always been one of the few great things humanity could produce that no automation could” (412).

There was so much I loved about this novel, but at its core, the emphasis on the power of a story—both stories written for an audience and the stories we tell ourselves—is what will stick with me.