![]() Her first name is Igbo for "mother is good". Okorafor is the third child in a family of four children and grew up in Chicago, Illinois, and would often travel to Nigeria to spend her holidays with her extended family. Nnedimma Nkemdili Okorafor was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1974 to Igbo Nigerian parents who travelled to America in 1969 to attend school but purportedly could not return to Nigeria due to the Nigerian Civil War. She is considered to be among the third generation of Nigerian writers. She is the recipient of multiple awards, including the Hugo Award, Nebula Award, Eisner Award and World Fantasy Award. Her writing is Africanfuturism and Africanjujuism, which is heavily influenced by her dual Nigerian and American heritage. ![]() She has also written for comics and film. She is best known for her Binti Series and her novels Who Fears Death, Zahrah the Windseeker, Akata Witch, Akata Warrior, Lagoon and Remote Control. Nnedimma Nkemdili " Nnedi" Okorafor // ( listen) (formerly Okorafor-Mbachu born April 8, 1974) is a Nigerian-American writer of science fiction and fantasy for both children and adults. Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in AfricaĮisner Award for Best Graphic Album - Reprint University of Illinois, Chicago (MA, PhD) ![]() ![]() ![]() University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (BA) ![]()
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![]() ![]() A master of the historical epic, Paullina Simons takes us on a journey across continents, time, and the entire breadth of human emotion, to create a heartrendingly beautiful love story that will live on long after the final page is turned. Tatiana and Alexander must struggle against destiny and despair as they find themselves in the fight of their lives. For him, Russia's war is not over, and both victory and defeat will mean certain death. An American trapped in Russia since adolescence, he has been serving in the Red Army and posing as a Soviet citizen to protect himself. Meanwhile, Alexander faces the greatest danger he's ever known. However, her grief is inescapable and she keeps hearing Alexander calling out to her. In wartime New York City she finds work, friends and a life beyond her dreams. Her husband, Major Alexander Belov, a decorated hero of the Soviet Union, has been arrested by Stalin's infamous secret police. Tatiana is eighteen years old and pregnant when she miraculously escapes war-torn Leningrad to the West, believing herself to be a widow. A powerful story of grief and hope, a passionate and epic love story from the Russian-born author of the internationally bestselling novels TULLY and ROAD TO PARADISE. ![]() ![]() ![]() “I wish I had realised to speak up then,” they said this summer. Scholastic, after acquiring the story, advised taking the word “girl” off the cover when publishing because “there would be some people who wouldn’t give the book to a boy if it had the word girl on it” Gino, “stunned” to be published at all, agreed. Gino explained that the original title came about because while they were writing the novel, they “jokingly” called it Girl George, playing on the singer Boy George. As if it’s not more important than seeing who’s really there, scars and all.” This slim volume holds a story of huge courage that is a timely addition to the growing awareness of transgender identification in children and young adults. We are told that we will mar something special, as though looking pleasant to others is more important than being ourselves. But here’s the thing: so many transgender people have been told that we are beautiful/handsome as a reason not to transition, myself included. ![]() I want to be clear – it isn’t,” Gino said at the time. “The title of my book made it seem as though it is OK to use an old name for a person when they have provided you with a different name that works better for them. ![]() ![]() ![]() It takes a look at how socioeconomic factors affect rate of incarceration, the quality of legal defense received, and recidivism. I understand the importance of The Mars Room. Perhaps this is some kind of literary technique, but it did nothing except make me feel completely disconnected. ![]() ![]() Even Romy's first-person chapters felt distant and impersonal, like she was looking down on events from far away and not living them. What doesn't sound great about a gritty prison novel dissecting class, wealth and other power structures in the penal system? Diverse characters, complicated family dynamics, and unfair bullshit that sees poor, working class women given shoddy legal representation? Sign me up to be pissed off (in the way that leads to 5-star ratings).īut I found this book so disjointed, aloof and boring. Even as I was struggling to keep my eyes on the page, keep reading, and not get distracted by that piece of fluff on the floor, I was doing my best to write a positive review in my head. It's taken me a long time to admit that I just didn't like The Mars Room very much. ![]() |