Who Fears Death

by Okorafor, Nnedi
ISBN: 9780756417109
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Used - Trade Paperback - 9780756417109

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Overview

Now optioned as a TV series for HBO, with executive producer George R. R. Martin

An award-winning literary author enters the world of magical realism with her World Fantasy Award-winning novel of a remarkable woman in post-apocalyptic Africa.

In a post-apocalyptic Africa, the world has changed in many ways; yet in one region genocide between tribes still bloodies the land. A woman who has survived the annihilation of her village and a terrible rape by an enemy general wanders into the desert, hoping to die. Instead, she gives birth to an angry baby girl with hair and skin the color of sand. Gripped by the certainty that her daughter is different--special--she names her Onyesonwu, which means "Who fears death?" in an ancient language.

It doesn't take long for Onye to understand that she is physically and socially marked by the circumstances of her conception. She is Ewu--a child of rape who is expected to live a life of violence, a half-breed rejected by her community. But Onye is not the average Ewu. Even as a child, she manifests the beginnings of a remarkable and unique magic. As she grows, so do her abilities, and during an inadvertent visit to the spirit realm, she learns something terrifying: someone powerful is trying to kill her.

Desperate to elude her would-be murderer and to understand her own nature, she embarks on a journey in which she grapples with nature, tradition, history, true love, and the spiritual mysteries of her culture, and ultimately learns why she was given the name she bears: Who Fears Death.

  • Format: TradePaperback
  • Author: Okorafor, Nnedi
  • ISBN: 9780756417109
  • Condition: Used
  • Dimensions: 8.20 x 1.00
  • Number Of Pages: 400
  • Publication Year: 2020

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  • Compelling read

    Laura K. - 4 years 2 months ago

    Who Fears Death has recently gotten a lot of buzz as it may have a future as an HBO series produced by George R.R. Martin. Even if it didn't have that buzz this would be a book worth checking out. The author takes a dystopian future in Africa and melds with current violence and uprisings in taking place and marries them together with a generous infusion of magic. The story centers around two warring races and a woman born of rape between the two races who belongs to neither. Onyesonwu, whose name gives us the title as her name means 'Who Fears Death', is a child of the desert who takes us on her journey to discover her identity and power amid the violence and mystery of her world. This book was hard at times to read as there's definitely violence towards women in it, and that makes it divisive to some, however, I believe it's well-written and well worth your time.

    HPB Staff Review

  • Follow one young woman's life through post-apocalyptic Saharan Africa.

    Megan B. - 7 years 4 months ago

    In the desert in Africa, massacres are being lead against the Okeke people, rape is weaponized to wipe out their race, and a woman begs a god to make her daughter a wizard so she will be strong enough to fight. This book begins with the death of a father. In the second chapter, the main character Onyesonwu is conceived by rape. For the Okeke, children of rape will only grow more violent as they age, and Onye has a reputation for her temper. The book that follows her life is not an easy read, but it is engaging and beautiful, and it has a magic that will carry you through difficult passages. Who Fears Death is fantasy as a focus for reality (the very best kind!). It breaks down gender stereotypes prevalent in fiction and sheds light on real problems that women of West Africa face today. And within this, Okorafor builds an elegant system of magic that holds her world together, then manipulates it so carefully that you will believe every moment of this story as true. Have I convinced you yet? Everyone needs to read this book!

    HPB Staff Review