Noor (novel)
 Cover for first edition | |
| Author | Nnedi Okorafor |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Africanfuturism, Science fiction |
| Set in | Nigeria |
| Publisher | DAW Books |
Publication date | November 9, 2021 |
| Publication place | Nigeria |
| Media type | Print (hardcover) |
| Pages | 224 |
| ISBN | 9780756416096 (first edition) |
Noor is a 2021 Africanfuturist science fiction novel by Nigerian American author Nnedi Okorafor.[1] The novel was published on November 9, 2021, by DAW Books and is the fourth adult novel written by Okorafor.[2] It is a finalist for the Locus Award for best science fiction novel.[3]
Plot
[edit]A young disabled Igbo woman named Anwuli Okwudili, who goes by the codename AO (Autobionic Organism[4]), lives in a futuristic Nigeria, where advanced technology has enabled her to upgrade unformed or weakened body parts with cybernetic prosthetics created by the megacorporation Ultimate Corp. AO lives as a mechanic in the capital city of Abuja. To the north, a great sandstorm called the "Red Eye" blows perpetually. After being attacked in a marketplace, AO fights back and ends up killing several men. Wanted for murder, she flees and encounters a Fulani herdsman named Dangote Nuhu Adamu, who goes by the name "DNA". Because he is also wanted for murder, DNA and AO flee together further north.[5][6]
Development
[edit]On Okorafor's birthday, she released a teaser photo of a completed manuscript for Noor which she had sent to her editor at DAW Books.[7] In an interview with Bustle, she said that she had those who identify themselves as cyborgs in mind while writing Noor, and that the book is expected to promote people with disabilities in the speculative fiction scene.[2]
Themes
[edit]Noor focuses on a number of themes, including cybernetics, tradition, renewable energy, critiques of capitalism, gender identification, solarpunk ideology, and a futuristic retelling of the farmer-pastoralist conflict of Nigeria.[2][8]
Reception
[edit]Noor received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly[9] and Kirkus Reviews.[10] Kirkus Reviews called it "A searing techno-magical indictment of capitalism."[10] Mahvesh Murad of Tor.com described it as "a book that takes a strong, clear stance against state surveillance and capitalist exploitation."[5]
References
[edit]- ^ Cybil (November 16, 2021). "6 Great Books Hitting Shelves". Goodreads. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
- ^ a b c Colyard, K.W. (November 22, 2021). "Nnedi Okorafor Is Tired Of Labels". Bustle. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
- ^ "2022 Locus Awards Top Ten Finalists". Locus Online. 2022-05-10. Retrieved 2022-05-12.
- ^ "Gary K. Wolfe Reviews Noor by Nnedi Okorafor". Locus Online. 2021-12-27. Retrieved 2022-06-13.
- ^ a b Murad, Mahvesh (November 16, 2021). "A Familiar-Looking Future: Noor By Nnedi Okorafor". Tor.com. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
- ^ Cooper, Ayanni C. H. (February 12, 2022). "In the Eye of the Sandstorm: On Nnedi Okorafor's Noor". Los Angeles Review of Books. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
- ^ Ibeh, Chukwuebuka (October 2, 2020). "We Have More News on Nnedi Okorafor's New Novel Titled Noor". Brittle Paper. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
- ^ Wolfe, Gary K. (December 27, 2021). "Gary K. Wolfe Reviews Noor by Nnedi Okorafor". Locus. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
- ^ "SciFi/Fantasy/Horror Book Review: Noor by Nnedi Okorafor". Publishers Weekly. August 27, 2021. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
- ^ a b Okorafor, Nnedi (September 29, 2021). "NOOR | KIRKUS REVIEWS". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
External links
[edit]- Noor title listing at the Internet Speculative Fiction Database