Review of the Lagoon, a novel by Nnedi Okorafor

Every now and again, the famous National Space Research Agency (NASA) comes up with one discovery after another, about space exploration.  Their discoveries become interesting as facts emerge about the possibility of extraterrestrial life or simply put, alien life.

It is not weird to think that aliens could exist. After all, modern scientists still probe into the possibility of early historical humans building the pyramid of Egypt with such mastery and artful skill. This and others make them believe the possibility of alien life and so they keep digging around it. Fascinations with alien stories have been driving readers towards books like Lagoon — written by a Nigerian, Nnedi Okorafor.

About the Author

Her full name is Nnedimma Nkemdili Okorafor, but she is popularly known as Nnedi Okorafor. The Nigerian American writer is the author of Lagoon and a handful of other books.  She is an expert in the science fiction genre. Other books by the author include Akata witch, Akata warrior, Remote control, Zahrah the wind seeker, and Who fears death. Other titles include the popular Binti series.

She was among the Nigerians that could not return to Nigeria due to the civil war in the late 60s and 70s. She was a also good sportswoman before her eventual paralysis from Scoliosis which left her immobile from her waist down. Doing what she knows how to do best has provided solace for the cheerful Nedi whose works delight many lovers of science fiction novels.

Summary of the Book 

The main characters in the novel include Ayodele, Adaora, Agu, and Anthony. While Ayodele was the Alien Ambassador, Adaora was a Marine Biologist. Also, Agu was a Nigerian soldier while Anthony was a hip-hop artist from Ghana. Nnedi used each of these characters to paint a situation that may arise if there is an Alien incursion on earth. Violence erupted after the encounter with aliens. Some of the characters like Agu and Adaora possessed special superhuman abilities.   The book further uses some African folklore to raise the fantasy as one would expect of good science fiction.

Evaluation

The book creates the possible scenario that will play out if an alien invasion happens. Characters such as a biologist, a soldier, and a rapper, considered highly influential in today’s world, drive home her ideas in the story. Each of them reacted to the situation differently but they were united in the social problems of government propaganda and cover-up amidst glaring devastation and suffering.

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