New Novel by Nnedi Okorafor Set for April 2014 Release

Lagoon, the long-awaited novel by award-winning Nigerian-American author Nnedi Okorafor has been given an official release date of April 10, 2014. Set in Lagos during an alien invasion, the novel follows three strangers, each isolated by his or her own problems: Adaora, the marine biologist; Anthony, the rapper famous throughout Africa; and Agu, the troubled soldier (visit the author’s blog to learn more). The stunning cover art was created by South African illustrator Joey Hi-Fi.
Okorafor was born in the United States to Igbo parents. She holds a PhD in English and is a tenured professor at Chicago State University. Although she was born, raised in, and currently lives in America, Nigeria remains Nnedi's muse. Her parents took her and her siblings home to visit relatives from a young age, and the country, its cultures, and people feature heavily – literally and figuratively – in her work. As a child, she wanted to be an entomologist because of her love for insects and nature; that passion is reflected in the vivid descriptions of flora and fauna that feature in her stories. Okorafor cites writers such as Octavia Butler, Philip Pullman, Ngugi wa Thiong'o, Tove Jansson and Stephen King as influences on her work. Anne Perry, an editor for Hodder and Stoughton (who are publishing Lagoon along with two other novels by Okorafor), said of her writing:
“Nnedi’s work is some of the most intense, original science fiction I’ve ever read. With Lagoon, Nnedi demonstrates not just that she’s a force to be reckoned with, but that she deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as China Miéville, Paolo Bacigalupi and Lauren Beukes: authors writing staggeringly imaginative, socially aware speculative fiction for a new generation. I couldn’t be more delighted that she has chosen to publish with Hodder & Stoughton.”
Congrats to Okorafor - we can't wait to read the book! Find books by Nnedi Okorafor in the ZODML Catalogue.