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Broken Places & Outer Spaces: Finding Creativity in the Unexpected (TED Books) Hardcover – June 18, 2019

by Nnedi Okorafor (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 121 ratings
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A powerful journey from star athlete to sudden paralysis to creative awakening, award-winning science fiction writer Nnedi Okorafor shows that what we think are our limitations have the potential to become our greatest strengths.

Nnedi Okorafor was never supposed to be paralyzed. A college track star and budding entomologist, Nnedi’s lifelong battle with scoliosis was just a bump in her plan—something a simple operation would easily correct. But when Nnedi wakes from the surgery to find she can’t move her legs, her entire sense of self begins to waver. Confined to a hospital bed for months, unusual things begin to happen. Psychedelic bugs crawl her hospital walls; strange dreams visit her nightly. Nnedi begins to put these experiences into writing, conjuring up strange, fantastical stories. What Nnedi discovers during her confinement would prove to be the key to her life as a successful science fiction author: In science fiction, when something breaks, something greater often emerges from the cracks.

In Broken Places & Outer Spaces, Nnedi takes the reader on a journey from her hospital bed deep into her memories, from her painful first experiences with racism as a child in Chicago to her powerful visits to her parents’ hometown in Nigeria. From Frida Kahlo to Mary Shelly, she examines great artists and writers who have pushed through their limitations, using hardship to fuel their work. Through these compelling stories and her own, Nnedi reveals a universal truth: What we perceive as limitations have the potential to become our greatest strengths—far greater than when we were unbroken.

A guidebook for anyone eager to understand how their limitations might actually be used as a creative springboard, Broken Places & Outer Spaces is an inspiring look at how to open up new windows in your mind.
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  1. Part of series
    TED
  2. Print length
    112 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Simon & Schuster/ TED
  5. Publication date
    June 18, 2019
  6. Dimensions
    5 x 0.6 x 7 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    1501195476
  8. ISBN-13
    978-1501195471
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Okorafor’s gripping account of her recovery will inspire any reader.” ― Publishers Weekly

About the Author

Nnedi Okorafor is an award-winning novelist of African-based science fiction, fantasy, and magical realism. Born in the US to Nigerian immigrant parents, Okorafor is known for weaving African cultures into creative settings and memorable characters. Her book, Who Fears Death has been optioned by HBO, with Game of Thrones' George R.R. Martin as executive producer. Okorafor is a full-time professor at the University at Buffalo, New York (SUNY).

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Simon & Schuster/ TED (June 18, 2019)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 112 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1501195476
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1501195471
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 0.6 x 7 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 121 ratings

About the author

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Nnedi Okorafor

Nnedi Okorafor

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Nnedi Okorafor’s books include Lagoon (a British Science Fiction Association Award finalist for Best Novel), Who Fears Death (a World Fantasy Award winner for Best Novel), Kabu Kabu (a Publisher's Weekly Best Book for Fall 2013), Akata Witch (an Amazon.com Best Book of the Year), Zahrah the Windseeker (winner of the Wole Soyinka Prize for African Literature), and The Shadow Speaker (a CBS Parallax Award winner). Her adult novel The Book of Phoenix (prequel to Who Fears Death) was released in May 2015; the New York Times called it a "triumph". Her novella Binti will be released in late September 2015 and her young adult novel Akata Witch 2: Breaking Kola will be released in 2016.

Nnedi holds a PhD in literature/creative writing and is an associate professor at the University at Buffalo, New York (SUNY). She splits her time between Buffalo and Chicago with her daughter Anyaugo and family. Learn more about Nnedi at Nnedi.com.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
121 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the memoir interesting, fascinating, and inspiring. They also appreciate the writing style, describing it as well-written and readable.

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EngrossednessWriting style
4 customers mention "Engrossedness"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book interesting, fascinating, and inspiring. They say it's a quick read that takes them into the story. Readers also mention the book has enough detail to keep things moving.

"...over time, which made me sad because it's a well-written and interesting memoir. Highly recommend!" Read more

"...as expected based on it being a TED book, but there is enough detail to keep things moving while drawing the reader in...." Read more

"One of the most engrossing books I've ever read. It's written in a beautifully readable style that takes you into the story. And what a story it is!..." Read more

"This was a really well written and inspiring quick read about Nnedi’s healing journey after becoming paralyzed from the waist down due to a back..." Read more

4 customers mention "Writing style"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the writing style well-written, quick, and inspiring.

"...length of the book down over time, which made me sad because it's a well-written and interesting memoir. Highly recommend!" Read more

"This was a quick read and a small glimpse into the trauma that redirected her life and sparked her writing passion...." Read more

"One of the most engrossing books I've ever read. It's written in a beautifully readable style that takes you into the story. And what a story it is!..." Read more

"This was a really well written and inspiring quick read about Nnedi’s healing journey after becoming paralyzed from the waist down due to a back..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

Lindsay A Lee
5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely memoir, I wish it was longer!
Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2022
Verified Purchase
The author mentioned she had cut the length of the book down over time, which made me sad because it's a well-written and interesting memoir. Highly recommend!
One person found this helpful
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Michelle K
4.0 out of 5 stars An interesting, quick read
Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2020
Verified Purchase
This was a quick read and a small glimpse into the trauma that redirected her life and sparked her writing passion. It was short, as expected based on it being a TED book, but there is enough detail to keep things moving while drawing the reader in. I would, however, enjoy reading a longer book with much more depth on the trauma she experienced. It was fascinating but just touched the surface in some areas.
2 people found this helpful
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Abdulkareem Baba Aminu
5.0 out of 5 stars A gem of a book!
Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2019
Verified Purchase
One of the most engrossing books I've ever read. It's written in a beautifully readable style that takes you into the story. And what a story it is! I'll not mention anything spoiler-y, but Okorafor's path from a star athlete to superstar writer is a truly inspirational one. This is a gem!
6 people found this helpful
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Jodi Rogers
5.0 out of 5 stars Well written, quick and inspiring read
Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2020
Verified Purchase
This was a really well written and inspiring quick read about Nnedi’s healing journey after becoming paralyzed from the waist down due to a back operation, and how this experience led her to discover her gift as a writer. Highly recommended.
One person found this helpful
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SusanGoodBear
5.0 out of 5 stars When Real Life Is BETTER Than Fiction
Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2022
Verified Purchase
For years I have loved Nnedi Okorafor’s science fiction — so imaginative and unbounded. Now I admire her personally and most sincerely all the more for her courage, determination, and the remarkable quest for independence I would never have supposed she’d endured and succeeded at. Thank you, Nnedi Okorafor, for sharing your story!
2 people found this helpful
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Jassonn
4.0 out of 5 stars I enjoyed it
Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2019
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I enjoyed hearing the Doctors story but I couldn't give it five stars cause it really is just a ted talk. There are so many things that she could reveal but didn't. Time for a real autobiography.
One person found this helpful
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Torry L Hickson
5.0 out of 5 stars Wow
Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2021
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Dr. Okorafor memoir is fantastic it has life gems worthy of being in religious text. Share the book far and wide.
One person found this helpful
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music feeds my soul
5.0 out of 5 stars I’m not alone
Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2021
Verified Purchase
Outstanding! The first time reading of a physical experience similar to mine and the descriptive language for it.
One person found this helpful
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