Zahrah the Windseeker

January 5, 2020
Zahrah the Windseeker Book Cover Zahrah the Windseeker
Nnedi Okorafor-Mbachu
Science Fiction
Houghton Mifflin
September 26th, 2005
Paperback
320
Owned
Middle Grade

In the northern Ooni Kingdom, fear of the unknown runs deep, and children born dada are rumored to have special powers. Thirteen-year-old Zahrah Tsami feels like a normal girl -- she grows her own flora computer, has mirrors sewn onto her clothes, and stays clear of the Forbidden Greeny Jungle. But unlike other kids in the village of Kirki, Zahrah was born with the telling dadalocks. Only her best friend, Dari, isn't afraid of her, even when something unusual begins happening -- something that definitely makes Zahrah different. The two friends investigate, edging closer and closer to danger. When Dari's life is threatened. Zahrah must face her worst fears alone, including the very thing that makes her different.

(via Goodreads)

 

Recently, Bill @ The Australian Legend reminded me of Nnedi Okorafor’s writing, and that in mid-2019 I had read her debut novel, Zahrah the Windseeker. I’ve read her award-winning novella Binti and her YA novel Akata Witch when they were both still stand alone. Both left me thirsty for more of Okorafor’s writing, so I’m not surprised to see these both expanded into full series.

I received Zahrah the Windseeker during our Kids Lit Book Club holiday book exchange in 2018, but never made time to read it. I found it during our recent move and decided it was time! And what better way than by nominating for my Science Fiction Fantasy book club. I admit I was uncertain what to expect, and highly enjoyed what I got out of it.

Funny how all things people don’t understand seem to be ‘cursed’.

Zahrah was born with dada-locks, dreadlocks with vines growing through them, unusual in her Ooni community. Her classmates mock her for being different, but Zahrah just tries to ignore them. She has Dari, her best friend, to stand up for her and support her. But when Dari finds a book on the Forbidden Greeny Jungle, Zahrah isn’t certain any longer if she can blindly follow his adventurous side. After all, something strange has started to happen to her, and she doesn’t know who she can trust with the secret.

My mother always said that silence was the best answer to a fool.

Okorafor’s writing is consistently refreshing for me, as a Midwestern White Girl. Yes, Zahrah the Windseeker could be labeled your standard juvenile quest fantasy, akin to Alice in Wonderland. And yet… aspects of this novel pull me increasingly away from what I have come to expect. First, our protagonist-hero is a 13-year-old girl. While this is becoming more common, it’s not as common in quest-style stories as I’d like.  Second, this is a girl-rescues-boy story — even better! But third, and most important, is Zahrah’s world is based on Africa, rather than a European model. The culture, ethics, festivals, clothing, expectations, and daily interactions are all intriguing and educational for me. Pair this with Okorafor’s easily digestible writing style and I’m learning and absorbing many new ideas without even noticing. Besides, this is a wonderful break from a middle-grade fantasy market inundated with dragons, unicorns, and other European myths.

“He comes here all the time. Though he knows he shouldn’t.”
“A curious mind must be properly fed,” Dari said.

“True,” Nsibidi said with a nod.

The worldbuilding is fascinating. Okorafor builds an Afro-centric world where technology is botanical. This isn’t biopunk, where a near-future world is built on synthetic biology and DNA splicing. In this world, people grow everything they need. Yes, food and materials for clothing. But also computers, lamps, money, and even a library built from a transparent tree. Phytopunk, perhaps? It’s so cool. Respect for the lifeforms the Ooni people share their world with is not overt either. I enjoyed not being hit over the head with a “Protect the Earth!” message as so many books are want to do.

Some of our old ways are better forgotten, but not all of them.

For me, Zahrah the Windseeker is broken into two parts. The first third, where Zahrah discovers her ability to levitate and we learn about her world and friendship with Dari. In this third, we learn about who Zahrah is and what her world is like. Okorafor’s writing constantly demonstrates Zahrah’s world and the people in it through their actions. The pacing is engaging and the plot flows along seamlessly. Here is where you see the magic starting for all of Okorafor’s brilliant future novels.

Maybe I’m too scared to fly, but I’ve brave enough to save your life.

The second two-thirds of Zahrah the Windseeker consist of Zahrah’s adventure into the Forbidden Greeny Jungle. Here is where things started to drag for me. At this point, each chapter became a tiny story unto itself. Typically, I like this format. However, there is an air of repetition to these stories I found a bit dull.  I loved learning about the creatures in the jungle and watching Zahrah grow from a shy girl into a fiercely independent one. But the plot started to drag.

People didn’t really care where the answer came from. As long it was ‘correct’ which really meant as long as things made some sort of sense and weren’t too complicated.

Okorafor’s writing also changes at this point. Suddenly, I was aware this book was written with middle-grade readers in mind. The chapters became shorter, the twists and turns in the tale more obvious, and the plot ideas repetitive. Perhaps this is because I was suddenly in a traditional juvenile quest story and I was able to predict the tale more. Perhaps this is because suddenly felt like I was reading Alice in Wonderland. Who knows. But I lost interest more and more as I continued to read.

It’s OK to care about what other people think, but you should give a little more weight to what you, yourself, think.

Overall, Zahrah the Windseeker is an inventive and intriguing tale. The story is basic but the world this story is built around is anything but dull. Written with compassion and affection for all, I highly recommend this as an addition to any 12-year-old’s fantasy shelf. I bet it could use some more diversity anyway. Forgo dragons for Pink Speckled Frogs! Plus, this would be a great bedtime read, as each chapter being its own mini-story makes for easy endings.

 

Oh, and if you’re interested in exploring the Ooni’s universe without picking up YA, I’ve been told Orkorafor’s adult short story collection Kabu Kabu is exceptional. I will definitely be reading it in the future, myself.


What do you think?

  • Have you read Zahrah the Windseeker? What do you think of this book?
  • Do you have other middle-grade quest fantasy you can recommend?
  • What are your fiction favorite books influenced by African culture?

10 Comments

  • Captain's Quarters January 5, 2020 at 2:20 pm

    I haven’t read this one and it doesn’t sound as strong as her other works (granted it be her debut). I am intrigued by the pink speckled frogs. This will stay on me list but not as a priority.
    x The Captain

    • Jackie B January 6, 2020 at 8:41 am

      It’s worth a read. But you’re right, not as strong as her other works. It’s a fun middle-grade novel for sure. How old is your nephew? Perhaps he might enjoy it… That would give you an excuse to read it! 😉

  • Grab the Lapels January 6, 2020 at 10:29 am

    I’m so glad you and Bill talked. He’s a great asset to the blogging community and focuses on indigenous Australian writers, though he does throw in something different now and again, which is how I ended up reading Moll Flanders at the end of 2019.

    • Jackie B January 7, 2020 at 7:53 am

      This is one of my favorite parts of blogging – meeting new bloggers! I’ll definitely be checking out Bill’s blog in the future. I don’t know anything about indigenous Australian writers, so I have a lot to learn.

  • charlotte January 12, 2020 at 8:25 am

    I agree it’s a fun one, and a good place for younger readers to start with her books!

    • Jackie B January 16, 2020 at 6:10 pm

      Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Charlotte! I second this perspective. And I appreciate you stopping by and commenting.

  • wadholloway January 29, 2020 at 6:58 pm

    Doesn’t Melanie say nice things! I love the flow of Okorafor’s writing and I’ll take your recommendation and try Zahrah on my grandkids, though it will be a couple of years before the next reaches that 12,13 year old mark.
    (I’m here because … well because my name crossed your home screen, but I was there because you’ve spurred me to write a review of Jane Palmer, an English writer whose first SF came out in 1985. Should be up in a week or so)

    • Jackie B February 4, 2020 at 11:38 am

      Melody does say nice things. 🙂 She’s so wonderful.

      While it might be a few years, I’m interested in hearing how your grandkids like this tale. It’s a fun variation of Alice in Wonderland. Her writing is so unique and fun; it works well for children.

      You’re always welcome here, Bill! 🙂 I’m so glad you stopped by. I’ll have to check out that Jane Palmer book review!

    • Jackie B February 5, 2020 at 8:17 am

      I feel so important! First pingback from Bill @ The Australian Legend!

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