by (barely) popular demand, a list of black spec-fic writers and book that I have enjoyed over the years.
note: I am going to stick to stuff I have read, which means I will miss some things
other note: I& #39;m using Amazon links, but buy from somewhere else if you can
note: I am going to stick to stuff I have read, which means I will miss some things
other note: I& #39;m using Amazon links, but buy from somewhere else if you can
Also, I am sorta doing this in vaguely chronological order, at least to begin with. So as much as possible older stuff at the beginning, newer stuff at the end
Because this is about me, we are starting with the first book I read that took African myth and storytelling and turned it into something resembling a fantasy story, Camara Laye& #39;s "The Guardian of The Word" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123784.The_Guardian_of_the_Word">https://www.goodreads.com/book/show...
Essentially it is the legend of Sundiata told in the style of an epic fantasy book. Legitimately blew my mind as a pre-teen. I& #39;m scared to reread it in case it was worse than I remember
Next, the first Dark Matter anthology.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dark-Matter-Century-Speculative-Diaspora/dp/0446677248
Think">https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dark-Matt... of this as a good overview of speculative fiction by black writers spanning most of the 20th century. There is a follow up anthology as well, but start here.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dark-Matter-Century-Speculative-Diaspora/dp/0446677248
Think">https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dark-Matt... of this as a good overview of speculative fiction by black writers spanning most of the 20th century. There is a follow up anthology as well, but start here.
Now we move on to Octavia Butler. I legitimately lack the words to describe important she is.
If you are looking for an entry point, there are several I& #39;d recommend, but in these times it has to be the Parable series. First one linked
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Parable-Sower-Octavia-Butler/dp/1435242475">https://www.amazon.co.uk/Parable-S...
If you are looking for an entry point, there are several I& #39;d recommend, but in these times it has to be the Parable series. First one linked
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Parable-Sower-Octavia-Butler/dp/1435242475">https://www.amazon.co.uk/Parable-S...
Equally important, but more complicated in some ways, Samuel R. Delany. His stuff straddles dense, lyrical literary fiction and speculative fiction in a way that is still difficult now, let alone when he first started writing and winning awards
"Dhalgren" is his most famous book, but I& #39;d recommend starting with something that doesn& #39;t pull your brain apart. I& #39;ll say "Empire Star"
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B009W32Y46/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i7">https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/produc...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B009W32Y46/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i7">https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/produc...
One of my absolute favourite books to recommend to people is "Skin Folk" by @Nalo_Hopkinson. I think I& #39;ve bought several copies for other people. Her other stuff is great too, but I stand by my love for this one. Every story is great
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Skin-Folk-Nalo-Hopkinson/dp/0446678031">https://www.amazon.co.uk/Skin-Folk...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Skin-Folk-Nalo-Hopkinson/dp/0446678031">https://www.amazon.co.uk/Skin-Folk...
Similarly (in the sense that these books are built around Caribbean folklore) I am also a huge fan of "Redemption in Indigo" by @drkarenlord. Again, I have given a few to people
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Redemption-Indigo-Karen-Lord/dp/1780873085">https://www.amazon.co.uk/Redemptio...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Redemption-Indigo-Karen-Lord/dp/1780873085">https://www.amazon.co.uk/Redemptio...
Another recommendation, Lion& #39;s Blood and Zulu Heart by @StevenBarnes1. An alternate history where a Muslim Africa colonized Europe and then enslaved Europeans to work American plantations
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lions-Blood-Slavery-Freedom-Alternate/dp/0446612219
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lions-Blo... href=" https://www.amazon.co.uk/Zulu-Heart-Steven-Barnes/dp/0446531227">https://www.amazon.co.uk/Zulu-Hear...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lions-Blood-Slavery-Freedom-Alternate/dp/0446612219
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lions-Blo... href=" https://www.amazon.co.uk/Zulu-Heart-Steven-Barnes/dp/0446531227">https://www.amazon.co.uk/Zulu-Hear...
Now I have to say nice things about Nigerian writers. please send thoughts and wishes.....
@tadethompson& #39;s Rosewater trilogy is about a Nigerian city that forms around an alien incursion and all the stuff that follows on from that. It is great, and it will fuck with your feelings
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0356511367/ref=bseries_primary_1_0356511367">https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/035651...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0356511367/ref=bseries_primary_1_0356511367">https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/035651...
"David Mogo: Godhunter" is @IAmSuyiDavies& #39;s book about a post-apocalyptic Lagos overrun by spirits, and the people who struggle to survive in it
https://www.amazon.co.uk/David-Mogo-Godhunter-Davies-Okungbowa/dp/1781086494">https://www.amazon.co.uk/David-Mog...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/David-Mogo-Godhunter-Davies-Okungbowa/dp/1781086494">https://www.amazon.co.uk/David-Mog...
And, of course, there is the powerhouse that is @Nnedi. I haven& #39;t read all of her stuff yet, but of what I have read I& #39;d pick the Binti series to recommend as an entry point
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Binti-Nnedi-Okorafor/dp/0765385252">https://www.amazon.co.uk/Binti-Nne...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Binti-Nnedi-Okorafor/dp/0765385252">https://www.amazon.co.uk/Binti-Nne...
I just realised I haven& #39;t mentioned @nkjemisin yet! Read all her stuff, it is all wonderful. Definitely read the Broken Earth series though. It is every bit as good as people say it is
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Broken-Earth-Trilogy-3-Book/dp/B01N260CMA">https://www.amazon.co.uk/Broken-Ea...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Broken-Earth-Trilogy-3-Book/dp/B01N260CMA">https://www.amazon.co.uk/Broken-Ea...