Blog | Eric Hendel

(Cover Artist: Dan Funderburgh ) Sometimes I'll read a book whose ending completely alters the nature of the story that preceded it, and which as a result requires that I fundamentally rethink my opinion of how that story functions.  In almost every respect this is usually a good thing, since it means that I have a ton to think about when it comes to discussing that novel. However it also means that trying to write a review of that book feels very nearly impossible, since discussing what I honestly feel is the most important aspect of the story risks destroying the effect it will likely have for future readers. I can't talk about the book without talking about its ending, but I also can't talk about the ending without spoiling the entire point of the book. Obviously,  Nnedi Okorafor's 2025 novel  Death of the Author is this sort of story. Much of Death of the Author  is divided between two parallel narratives, both of which at first appear to be seeking to accompl...