Scan barcode
A review by bookaneer
Dominion: An Anthology of Speculative Fiction from Africa and the African Diaspora by Zelda Knight, Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki
4.0
A very, very strong anthology. Most of the authors are unknown to me and that's the beauty of anthology since many of them are now in my watch list!
I've watched one of the editors, [a:Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki|20235831|Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1596907106p2/20235831.jpg], in various con panels this year and the way he spoke about African SF, the diversity of it and the rich tradition behind it, had been very appealing to me. Of course when this book was mentioned lots of time during these cons, also in the context of Afrofuturism, I just knew I had to read it.
I had high expectation but I was still pleasantly surprised. The stories have distinct voices, coming from various authors from different countries from Uganda to Nigeria. Some were fun, high-octane adventure, some were simply dark and disturbing.
Overall I enjoyed all stories but I do have some favorites:
"Red Bati" by Dilman Dila: Really liked it, I always have a soft spot for robot story
"A Maji Maji Chronicle” by Eugen Bacon: magical time travel story with history of colonialism past and present!
"Convergence in Chorus Architecture by Dare Segun Falowo: This is a strange one. But I liked it? It reminded me of my feeling when reading The Silmarilion's Ainulindale chapter.
"To Say Nothing of Lost Figurines" by Rafeeat Aliyu: A fun planetary adventure. I want more stories from both main characters and their world.
"Ife-Iyoku, The Tale of Imadeyunuagbon" by Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki: A story about a woman who stood her ground amidst a thread of extinction and societal pressure. This is available for free here: https://ekpeki.com/2020/08/24/ife-iyoku-tale-of-imadeyunuagbon/ (PS: novella consideration for the Hugo? ;))
All in all, wow, thank you for this wonderful experience. I definitely eager for more anthologies like this and can't wait to read these authors' works.
I've watched one of the editors, [a:Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki|20235831|Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1596907106p2/20235831.jpg], in various con panels this year and the way he spoke about African SF, the diversity of it and the rich tradition behind it, had been very appealing to me. Of course when this book was mentioned lots of time during these cons, also in the context of Afrofuturism, I just knew I had to read it.
I had high expectation but I was still pleasantly surprised. The stories have distinct voices, coming from various authors from different countries from Uganda to Nigeria. Some were fun, high-octane adventure, some were simply dark and disturbing.
Overall I enjoyed all stories but I do have some favorites:
"Red Bati" by Dilman Dila: Really liked it, I always have a soft spot for robot story
"A Maji Maji Chronicle” by Eugen Bacon: magical time travel story with history of colonialism past and present!
"Convergence in Chorus Architecture by Dare Segun Falowo: This is a strange one. But I liked it? It reminded me of my feeling when reading The Silmarilion's Ainulindale chapter.
"To Say Nothing of Lost Figurines" by Rafeeat Aliyu: A fun planetary adventure. I want more stories from both main characters and their world.
"Ife-Iyoku, The Tale of Imadeyunuagbon" by Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki: A story about a woman who stood her ground amidst a thread of extinction and societal pressure. This is available for free here: https://ekpeki.com/2020/08/24/ife-iyoku-tale-of-imadeyunuagbon/ (PS: novella consideration for the Hugo? ;))
All in all, wow, thank you for this wonderful experience. I definitely eager for more anthologies like this and can't wait to read these authors' works.