This is a post-apocalyptic novella where survivors of a nuclear war have developed magical-esque powers that help them survive in a radiation-torn Africa.

I wanted to like this more than I did. Thematically, it felt like it was about the tensions of patriarchy and forced gender roles, and also about community itself (internally and externally). I think ultimately for a story about resistance to patriarchy, I wanted more focus on Imade herself, rather than have most of the space taken up by the men in the book and her reactions to their feelings and actions. That said, I enjoyed the ending of the book and felt like it wrapped up both personal and larger events in a way that felt very true to Imade's character.

Content warnings: suicide, rape (off-page)

This won the 2020 Otherwise Award: otherwiseaward.org/award/2020-otherwise-award