This was completely and utterly charming. A very fairy-tale-esque story told in a village in sub-Saharan Africa. A lovely story about art and imagination and transformative, character-building, and empowering. I loved and adored this.

While reading this, I really, desperately, wanted an illustrated version of this story. ( )

'La Fille aux mains magiques' (original: The Girl with the Magic Hands) is a novella that was originally released as e-book in 2013. The French Éditions ActuSF has earlier publisher 'Qui a peur de la mort?' (Who Fears Death?), the Binti-novels, and the anthology 'Kabu Kabu', the latter of which I enjoyed a lot (my review).

Éditions ActuSF chose to not simply translate the novella, but also publish it under its graphic label, which debuted with 'La Guerre des trois rois' by Jean-Laurent Del Socorro (2020, my review) and 'L'hypothèse du lézard' by Alan Moore (2020). The illustrations were created by inhouse artist Zariel. Apparently, he was given some carte blanche to draw what he thought would fit the story or scenes best. Zariel implemented African influences and symbols. While Africans have a passion for colour, there are only a few coloured drawings in this edition, aside from the full-coloured cover and dust jacket; the others are in grayscale/black-and-white. Like the other graphic novel(la)s, a reading ribbon helps you indicate where you are in the book. The last pages contains a selection of sketch drawings of possible characters.

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The French translation - hats off for the result - was provided by Cécile Duquenne, also a writer. I've only read one book by her: Les Brigades du Steam (2019, my review), which she wrote together with Étienne Barillier. Mr Barillier wrote a.o. 'Le Guide Steampunk' (2019, my review) and 'Le Guide Philip K. Dick' (2019, my review).

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In 'La Fille aux mains magiques', we travel once more to a village in Nigeria, as Ms Okorafor has Nigerian roots. We follow a little girl by the name of Chidera. She's not brought up in a wealthy background: Mother tries to sell their garden's produce as well as self-sculpted wooden figures (so-called good-luck charms) on the market, father has a day job, sometimes even skips breakfast when times are hard. In any case, the family can't afford to spend what they don't have. At least, Chidera has the basic outfit and requirements for school.

At home, she's not the most-wanted child; father wanted her to be a boy, probably because of cultural or societal rules/influence, but not in the least because he thinks she has no talents (Watch out for his reaction near the end of the story). Girls are not highly esteemed, it seems. In school, too, Chidera isn't the most popular girl. Not that she wants to be, contrary to others, like one of her friends who does nothing but look at her reflection in a pocket-mirror to make sure her look is perfect.

One time, when Chidera is to fetch water from a source far away, because of which she will be late in school, she perceives three distinct voices coming from the forest nearby. As she ventures deeper into the forest, the source of the voices is revealed. The magic of nature. Three spiritual beings invite her to open up her heart, spill the beans. They draw her a leaf on her hand, like a tattoo, a first example of the Uli art (Wikipedia), which hasn't been in use for a long time. That's when the magic starts to develop.

The tattoo unleashes its magic less than 24 hours later and will last for quite some time. That's also when Chidera will open up, will apply her until then hidden talent (drawing, expression through art, particularly the long-lost Uli), which is like a drug rushing through her body. Despite her upbringing, she's determined to improve her personal and her family's situation, secretly and totally engulfed by her newfound power.

Soon enough, Chidera will no longer be the ugly duckling of the village, nor will her parents and her have to live in such poor conditions. All thanks to the power and magic of nature, of trees, forests, and its magical inhabitants.

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While 'La Fille aux mains magiques' is set in Nigeria and contains cultural references (Igbo-people, Uli-art, ...), it's a tale that can be applied to any culture, nation or age/era. Many children (or adults when they were children) have experienced or are experiencing a similar or identical situation, even in this digital age. Potential talents are not being discovered or with luck at a late(r) age and with the right support.

The Dutch band After Forever made an album about a somewhat similar subject: Invisible Circles (2004, YouTube-link). The Italian band Rhapsody (of Fire) had a similar message: "Remember, proud brothers... everything is possible... when you let the mystic power of the dragonflame burn in your heart... believe it... ...it's the dragonflame!" (album: The Power Of The Dragonflame, song: Gargoyles, Angels Of Darkness, 2002, YouTube-link)

'La Fille aux mains magiques' is not the happiest of stories, but has a positive turn-around/outcome. The kind of story one can turn to when times get rough. The kind of story that shows how important nature and the environment are in one's life (from early on), as source of inspiration, a place to come to rest, to recharge one's batteries, ... Even more than before, considering the state of the modern world. See also, for example, Richard Power's excellent 'The Overstory' (my review).

And finally, a story that shows how important it is to be able to use one's innate talents, to have them uncovered, to make the world a better place.

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I was sent this book by Éditions ActuSF for review. Many thanks to them for the trust. ( )