Английская Википедия:Ikenga (novel)

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Шаблон:Infobox book

Ikenga is a 2020 middle grade fantasy novel by Nigerian American writer Nnedi Okorafor.[1][2][3] It is Okorafor's first book to feature male protagonist and was nominated for the 2021 Edgar Awards.[4] The novel follows Nnamdi, a boy who can access superhuman powers with the help of the Ikenga.[5]

Background

Okorafor's stated that she started writing the novel's first draft in 2009 and based it on Nigerian mythology and the Igbo culture in reference to the Igbo god Ikenga.[5]

Plot Summary

Set in Kaleria, a fictional town in contemporary Nigeria, Nnamdi's father who was a chief of police known for capturing criminals was murdered by an unknown group which is rumored to be the Chief of Chiefs and 12-year-old son Nnamdi vowed to avenge him.

On the day his father's memorial celebration, his father spirit soon appears to him and give him a gift of an small figurine known as Ikenga which can transform Nnamdi into a huge black figure with superhuman strength and rage nicknamed The Man by Newspapers. With his newly found powers, he becomes a vigilante and takes out Kaleria's dangerous criminals including the Chiefs of Chiefs.

Reception

The book received positive reactions[6] with the New York Times praising Okorafor's characters.[7] School Library Journal in a starred review stated that "this wonderfully fresh superhero origin story offers a look into the shadowy, inexplicable powers that are sudden bestowed in a child".[8]

Kirkus Review noted it for being "a memorable middle grade murder mystery".[9]

Award and recognitions

  • Nominated for the 2021 Edgar Award for Best Juvenile[4]
  • Amazon Best Children Book of 2020[10]
  • NPR Best Book of the Year[1]

References

Шаблон:Reflist Шаблон:Nnedi Okorafor