Final Rating:
Date of Completion: 11/07/2025
Published by: Gollancz
ISBN: B0D71QLFKK
‘Death of the Author’ mixes two interesting storylines, but they felt disconnected, and I wasn’t deeply invested in either.
Cover:
Writing:
Storyline:
Main character(s):
Secondary characters:
Romance:
Narration & Audio:
At the heart of this book is Zelu, whose meteoric rise to a life in the spotlight is laid out with striking authenticity and emotional depth. Although Zelu is far from perfect, I couldn’t help but root for her due to her fierce determination and the way she is treated by those around her, especially her family. The themes of disability, fame, social media, grief, social expectations, family, love, and more add layers that make her journey deeply relatable and nuanced.
Life is short. Fortune is fleeting. Fame is just swirling dust.
In contrast, the science fiction storyline did not resonate with me as strongly. While it tackles complex themes of domination, AI and genocide, the characters lack the depth that makes Zelu so compelling. The resolution of this storyline also felt a bit too convenient and underwhelming, though I was impressed by the late twist that cleverly connects both storylines. Still, the two storylines didn’t quite mesh for me, as I’m not the biggest fan of either literary or science fiction. I also noticed some repetitive elements in both stories, which made them less engaging.
Sometimes it was better to get what you needed than what you wanted.
What truly makes this book shine for me are its themes and the presentation of Nigerian culture. The writing style also flows smoothly, and the audiobook narration by Anthony Oseyemi, Chris Djuma, Jason Culp, and Liz Femi elevated the listening experience. Their natural inflexions and emotional ranges brought the characters to life. Notably, the secondary characters help drive the themes and storylines effectively, although some could have been more developed.
Discussion Questions (Contains spoilers!):
Q: Do you have any similar book recommendations?
Africa Risen by Sheree Renée Thomas, Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki, and Zelda Knight offers a variety of speculative stories from African authors that may resonate with fans of this book. N.K. Jemisin’s The Fifth Season also presents a character-driven, fantasy/science fiction tale that is richly layered, similar to this book.
Q: Do you usually prefer the original book or its movie adaptation?
I tend to prefer the version I engage with first, as I form a fixed vision of the story and hate seeing that change. As a result, if I’ve read the book, I avoid watching the movie adaptation until I’ve forgotten the details (or vice versa). This is why Zelu’s reaction to her book’s film adaptation resonated with me – it’s frustrating to see your vision for a story transformed into something entirely different.
Q: What was the most painful part of the book for you to read?
Finding out how Zelu became disabled hit me hard. It was a stark reminder of how a random, tragic event can change the course of someone’s life. Zelu’s struggle to navigate her new reality and adjust her dreams was heartbreaking, especially with her family constantly weaponising the accident and disability against her.
Q: What was your first impression of Zelu? When and how did it change?
Q: Do you love swimming or know how to? Why do you think Zelu loved it so much?
Q: Have you ever been fired? Why?
Q: What are your thoughts on the development of Zelu’s relationship with Msizi?
Q: If you’ve ever had to move back in with your parents how was that experience?
Q: What are your thoughts on Zelu’s family dynamics?
Q: If you have siblings, are you close with them?
Q: How did Zelu’s disability shape her identity, relationships and sense of independence?
Q: What are your thoughts on how this book challenges cultural attitudes toward disability?
Q: Do you have a dream you’ve never given up on?
Q: Do you want to go to space?
Q: Have you ever swum with dolphins or seen them in the wild?
Q: Would you want a minimalist lifestyle?
Q: Do you read fan fiction?
Q: Which of Zelu’s choices did you struggle to support the most?
Q: If you learned earth-shattering information like Ankara, what would you do?
Q: Have you ever become friends with someone you initially didn’t like? Was this realistically done for Ankara and Ijele?
Q: What are your thoughts on how the two stories are merged?
Q: Which of the two stories did you prefer?
Q: Which themes resonate most with you?
Do you agree or disagree with anything mentioned above? Let us know in the comments below.
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