"This LoveReading Star Book is sparklingly clever and oh-so readable, focusing on one member of a bright and bustling family as she writes a novel that turns her life upside down. "
Wowsers! It may be the beginning of the year but I already know this unique and special slice of speculative fiction will be one of my reads of 2025. Although, it actually doesn’t feel fair to stick any genre labels on this one as it boldly sings its very own song. When Zelu is sacked from her job at a university, she ends up back at her parent's house and writing a novel about the extinction of humanity. Award-winning author Nnedi Okorafor lit a fire in my heart and soul as she explored the concept of a novel within a novel and wrote from various viewpoints. The main character Zelu is absolutely fascinating and I fell hard for her determination, courage, and focus. A number of themes wrap around each other, from the nature of family, fame, culture and identity, through to the relationship between humanity and artificial intelligence. I loved the different elements, I adored how invested I was in this family, and found myself consumed by Zelu’s writing. It was interesting how I reconsidered again and again my relationship with different characters as the novel progressed. This is beautifully clever, with piercing intimate notes sitting alongside provocative and weighty issues, and so it just had to be a LoveReading Star Book as well as a Liz Pick of the Month. Death of the Author is a colourful, vibrant, and challenging novel. Higher than highly recommended!
