Afrofuturism is a literary genre that combines science-fiction, history and fantasy to explore the African-American experience and aims to connect those from the black diaspora with their forgotten African ancestry. Our bookseller Ben reads widely and has read quite a few works of Afrofuturism. Since February is African-American History Month, he has recommended seven of his favorites to introduce you to this genre.
Africa Risen by Sheree Renée Thomas, Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki, and Zelda Knight
From an award-winning team of editors comes an anthology of thirty-two original stories showcasing the breadth of fantasy and science fiction from Africa and the African Diaspora.
The Intuitionist by Colson Whitehead
A dead-serious and seriously funny feat of the imagination, The Intuitionist conjures a parallel universe in which latent ironies in matters of morality, politics, and race come to light, and stands as the celebrated debut of an important American writer.
Mumbo Jumbo by Ishmael Reed
Mumbo Jumbo is an ingenious deconstruction of Western civilization—a cinematic collage that mixes portraits of historical figures and incidents with sound bites on subjects ranging from ragtime to Greek philosophy.
Touched by Walter Mosley
Expansive and innovative, sexy and satirical, Touched brilliantly imagines the ways in which human life and technological innovation threaten existence itself.
The World We Make by N. K. Jemisin
Four-time Hugo Award-winning and bestselling author N.K. Jemisin crafts a glorious tale of identity, resistance, magic and myth.
Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James
Drawing from African history and mythology and his own rich imagination, Marlon James has written a novel unlike anything that's come before it: a saga of breathtaking adventure that's also an ambitious, involving read.
Dhalgren by Samuel R. Delany
Tackling questions of race, gender, and sexuality, Dhalgren is a literary marvel and groundbreaking work of American magical realism.