This is the third volume in this highly praised series (the first won the World Fantasy Award). Previous works have been praised for their eclectic mix of stories, offering a panorama of themes and styles. For instance, the 2021 edition included a story about a woman struggling with her identity and relationship in the face of a thought-recording device, a tale of a man fostering a rapidly evolving robot, and an adventurous narrative about a sentient robot dog engaging in space piracy. These stories not only explored advanced technologies and speculative scenarios but also delved deep into human emotions, relationships, and societal issues.
Themes of personal struggles, such as dealing with depression, anxiety, and feelings of alienation, were also prominent. These were manifested through unique and powerful metaphors, like a woman whose detachable body parts symbolized her sense of disintegration and invisibility, or a story that portrayed the torment of self-contempt through the constant barrage of negative thoughts from imaginary entities.
The anthology also ventured into mythic dimensions, echoing the voices and histories of entire cultures through concise yet profound storytelling. For example, flash fiction pieces in the collection reached the heights of epic poetry, encapsulating the journey of human life and cultural evolution.
With such a backdrop, the 2023 volume continues this tradition of blending speculative elements with profound human experiences and cultural narratives. It's likely to feature stories that push the boundaries of imagination while staying grounded in the complexities of the human condition. Readers can anticipate a collection that entertains, provokes thought, and offers new perspectives on the future and the present. The anthology is not just a showcase of speculative fiction; it's a celebration of African storytelling, creativity, and the endless possibilities within the realm of speculative fiction.
The first won the World Fantasy Award for best anthology and was met with widespread critical acclaim from across the world, with the science fiction trade magazine, Locus, calling it a must read.
Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki, who created the first anthology now joins forces with Eugen Bacon, a 2022 World Fantasy Award finalist and Milton Davis, an award-winning Black Speculative fiction writer and editor to introduce readers to an ever more diverse set of writers associated with Africa.
This anthology is more than just a collection of stories; it is a testament to the power of speculative fiction to transcend boundaries and explore new horizons. It is highly recommended for anyone looking to delve into a world where the speculative meets the vibrantly diverse tapestry of African storytelling.
Timely and relevant to today's world, the set of stories in this book will astonish, shock and amaze the reader while introducing them to a whole new world.
African literary scholars struggle to reconcile African mysticism with literary labels. Between Dystopias: The Road to Afropantheology encapsulates the essence of African mysticism and dystopia through original stories.
Afropantheology explores various aspects of African mysticism and dystopia. 'Mother's Love, Father's Place' and '02 Arena' are examples. It acknowledges Africa's journey from its origins to the future.
'The Deification of Igodo' and 'A Dance with the Ancestors' are stories that showcase the complexity of African mysticism. 'Land of the Awaiting Birth' explores the link between the
born and the unborn. .
Between Dystopias: The Road to Afropantheology is a celebration of African mysticism. The collection highlights the richness and complexity of African culture and traditions. It is a must-read for anyone interested in African literature, culture, and history.
WINNER BEST ANTHOLOGY, WORLD FANTASY AWARDS
You are bound to be wonderstruck.--Lightspeed Magazine
The Year's Best African Speculative Fiction (2021), edited by the award-winning Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki, is not just a book; it's a gateway to the diverse and rich world of African speculative fiction. This anthology, a winner of the Best Anthology at the World Fantasy Awards, is a groundbreaking collection that brings together twenty-nine extraordinary stories by twenty-five talented writers from Africa and its diaspora. These stories represent some of the most exciting voices in the genre, both old and new, offering readers a journey through imaginative landscapes filled with wonder, insight, and a deep understanding of the human and beyond-human experience.
The anthology is a celebration of African speculative fiction, marking a significant moment in the genre. It is the first of its kind, highlighting the breadth and depth of talent that exists within the African speculative fiction community. The collection includes tales from a range of authors, including Somto O. Ihezue, Pemi Aguda, Russell Nichols, Tamara Jerée, Tlotlo Tsamaase, and many others, each contributing their unique voice and vision. The stories navigate themes of identity, culture, and the complexities of the human spirit in ways that are both universal and deeply rooted in African experiences.
Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki, the editor, is not only a skilled anthologist but also a celebrated author in his own right. His work has received multiple accolades, including the Nommo award and recognition as a Nebula and Hugo award finalist. In editing this anthology, Ekpeki has opened a door to a realm of stories that challenge, entertain, and provoke thought, offering a vital platform for voices that are often underrepresented in the global speculative fiction landscape.
This anthology is more than just a collection of stories; it is a testament to the power of speculative fiction to transcend boundaries and explore new horizons. It is highly recommended for anyone looking to delve into a world where the speculative meets the vibrantly diverse tapestry of African storytelling. Whether you're a long-time fan of speculative fiction or new to the genre, The Year's Best African Speculative Fiction (2021) is bound to leave you wonderstruck and eager for more.
A Magazine of Science Fiction and Fantasy
ISSUE 58, September 2022
Lezli Robyn, Editor
Lauren Rudin, Assistant Editor
Z.T. Bright, Slush Reader
Taylor Morris, Copyeditor
Shahid Mahmud, Publisher
Stories by Soumya Sundar Mukherjee, Xan van Rooyen, Angela Slatter, Toshiya Kamei, Gardner Dozois, Jack Dann, Michael Swanwick, Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki, Mike Resnick, Liu Yanzeng
Columns by: L. Penelope, Alan Smale
Recommended Books: Richard Chwedyk
Galaxy's Edge is a bi-monthly magazine published by Phoenix Pick, the science fiction and fantasy imprint of Arc Manor, an award winning independent press based in Maryland. Each issue of the magazine has a mix of new and old stories, a serialization of a novel, columns by L. Penelope, Alan Smale and Gregory Benford, and book recommendations by Richard Chwydyk.
A Magazine of Science Fiction and Fantasy
ISSUE 53: November 2021
Lezli Robyn, Editor
Taylor Morris, Copyeditor
Shahid Mahmud, Publisher
Stories by Z.T. Bright, Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki, Mike Resnick Alex Shvartsman, Tami Veldura, Kristine Kathryn Rusch, Fulvio Gatti, Dave Wolverton, Dhew
Jean Marie Ward Interviews Charlaine Harris
Serialization: Over the Wine Dark Sea by Harry Turtledove
Columns by: Gregory Benford, L. Penelope
Recommended Books: Richard Chwedyk
Galaxy's Edge is a bi-monthly magazine published by Phoenix Pick, the science fiction and fantasy imprint of Arc Manor, an award winning independent press based in Maryland. Each issue of the magazine has a mix of new and old stories, a serialization of a novel, columns by L. Penelope and Gregory Benford, and book recommendations by Richard Chwydyk.
A Magazine of Science Fiction and Fantasy
ISSUE 60, January 2023
Lezli Robyn, Editor
Lauren Rudin, Assistant Editor
Z.T. Bright, Slush Reader
Taylor Morris, Copyeditor
Shahid Mahmud, Publisher
Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki, Eric Leif Davin, Gardner Dozois, Jack Dann, Michael Swanwick, Yefim Zozulya (translated by Alex Shvartsman), Marc A. Criley, Mike Resnick, Alan Smale, Alicia Cay 58
Columns by: L. Penelope, Alan Smale
Recommended Books: Richard Chwedyk
Galaxy's Edge is a bi-monthly magazine published by Phoenix Pick, the science fiction and fantasy imprint of Arc Manor, an award winning independent press based in Maryland. Each issue of the magazine has a mix of new and old stories, a serialization of a novel, columns by L. Penelope, Alan Smale and Gregory Benford, and book recommendations by Richard Chwydyk.