Trigger warnings: Graphic violence, racism, microaggressions
Synopsis: Her name is Binti, and she is the first of the Himba people ever to be offered a place at Oomza University, the finest institution of higher learning in the galaxy. But to accept the offer will mean giving up her place in her family to travel between the stars among strangers who do not share her ways or respect her customs.
Knowledge comes at a cost, one that Binti is willing to pay, but her journey will not be easy. The world she seeks to enter has long warred with the Meduse, an alien race that has become the stuff of nightmares. Oomza University has wronged the Meduse, and Binti's stellar travel will bring her within their deadly reach.
If Binti hopes to survive the legacy of a war not of her making, she will need both the gifts of her people and the wisdom enshrined within the University, itself - but first she has to make it there, alive.
Review: I love Binti so much, as a character and as a series. This book would work so well for any first generation college students. I've read this book before, but I was still impressed with Binti's ability to use her brains, even during stressful situations, versus trying to use force. She also had to deal with some tough moments as she regularly interacted with people who didn't understand her or her background. A scene that really stood out to me was when Binti was going through a full security scan, and she wanted to ask if the officers do that for everyone, but she also didn't want to start trouble. Even though this is sci-fi, I think that speaks very strongly to current situations where people get treated differently because of their skin color.
One other thing Binti thought of a lot was her family, and knowing that going to school might have made her lose her family. Again, thinking of first generation college students, it can be hard to walk away from family and a job in pursuit of an education. Binti left without her family knowing and that could not have been an easy choice, but it is understandable considering we got to see how negative her family was to the idea of higher education. There is a really good scene at the end where Binti isn't quite sure if she can make otjize the right way because she isn't on Earth anymore. Then she has a hard moment where she admits to herself that something has to change. It doesn't mean Binti is trying to put away this part of her culture. She just understands that aspects of her life might need to be altered. There is a lot of tension in Binti as the climax with the Meduse hits. I think the story stands well on its own. Some people have probably complained about the length of Binti but, considering how much is in this little book, I think it's done very well. We get to see Binti wrestle with important, personal aspects of her life, and we get to see her be a mediator and use her abilities as a harmonizer.
Binti is a brilliant book that I would highly recommend.
Comments