Agents of Literary Change
My Top Black Horror, Speculative, and Sci-fi Books
There are many afrocentric books in the speculative genres published from the 1920s to now. The following is a short list that I have compiled. It is by no means complete, but I feel that it is a good start. I welcome any suggestions and additions.
(Great writers are great readers. The more we read, the better we write.)
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Suggested Reading
African American Science Fiction and Fantasy Novels
Compiled by Stafford L. Battle
sbattle@sbattle.com
Black Empire by George S. Schuyler. Schuyler’s novel fantasizes a 1930s where one black man plots to take over a continent, drawing Europe back into global conflict. Dr. Henry Belsidus has brought together a group of black professionals whose collective knowledge and skills become the backbone of Black Internationale, an underground group spanning the globe. Through alternative energy and farming techniques, murder and robbery, and even a new hi-tech religion, the Black Internationale plans to manipulate the world powers and reclaim Africa as a black nation, wiping out anyone, regardless of race, who stands in its way. “Considered to be the first African heritage science fiction story ever published, many of the technological triumphs explored in the novel are science fact today!”
Black No More by George Schulyer. This scathingly humorous novel established George Schulyer as one of the leading satirist of the twentieth century. The plot revolves around the picaresque adventures of the young black protagonist, Max, who goes to a brilliant physician that has discovered a “cure” for blackness. Max takes the cure and, needless to say, is transformed. However, life then takes some very strange twists as he desperately tries to recover what he has recklessly thrown away. Also, Schuyler creates thinly disguised portraits of black leaders such as W.E.B. Dubois and Marcus Garvey with characteristic irreverence. “Fast, funny, and immensely satirical Schulyer has been called the precursor to Ishmael Reed.”
Blue Light, is Walter Moseley's first sci-fi novel and the prelude to his trilogy. From an unknown point in the universe, an inscrutable blue light approaches our solar system. When it reaches Earth, it transforms those it strikes, causing them to evolve beyond the present state of humanity. Each person imbues with the light becomes the full realization of his or her nature and potential, with strengths, understanding, and communication abilities far beyond our imagining.
Bwana & Bully. Mike Resnick gives us two novellas—one set in the far future and one set in a fictional past. Bwana is the story of a utopian African society constructed on an orbiting asteroid. The inhabits hunt transplanted game, live in thatched huts, abide by the traditional laws isolated from the evils of modern technology. Only the Shaman has access to the modern world and he demands strict obedience to tradition. But when forest beasts attack and kill human children, the villagers cry out that an outside hunter with modern weapons must be brought in. But as the old saying goes, “Once the Lion has chased away the Hyena, who chases away the Lion?” Bully is a satirical look at a fictional account of President Theodore Roosevelt escapades when he tries to bring American civilization to Africa. Despite his good, yet somewhat imperialistic intentions, the Africans have their own views of what they want to do with their continent.
Dark Matter: A Century of Speculative Fiction from the African Diaspora edited by Sheree R. Thomas. Short stories by Steven Barnes, Octavia E. Butler, Samuel R. Delany, Tananarive Due, Jewelle Gomez, Nalo Hopkinson, Walter Mosley, Ishmael Reed, and many more. This is an excellence collection of Black sci-fi and a most read for anyone considering to publish in this genre.
Dawn by Octavia Butler. Dawn is the first book in the Xenogenesis Series. Lilith Iyapo, a black woman who has survived Earth’s final nuclear holocaust, awakens aboard an alien spaceship. In a bleak, windowless cell, Lilith has only fragmentary images of her captors—the Oankali, beings hideously ugly to humans. The Oankali offer Lilith and a handful of fellow survivors a chance to rebuild, if humankind is willing to make a valuable trade. But the ultimate price may be more than both species could ever have imagined.
Futureland by Walter Mosley. Life in America a generation from now isn't much different from today: The drugs are better, the daily grind is worse. The gap between the rich and the poor has widened to a chasm. You can store the world's legal knowledge on a chip in your little finger, while the Supreme Court has decreed that constitutional rights don't apply to any individual who challenges the system. Justice is swiftly delivered by automated courts, so the prison industry is booming. And while the media declare racism is dead, word on the street is that even in a colorless society, it's a crime to be black.
Gorgon Child by Steven Barnes. Fanatics plots to enslave the entire country through the use of a genetically engineered breed of invincible killers. Aubry Knight, a futuristic Null-Boxer, uses his hi-tech fighting skills to battle treacherous politicians, an inhuman army, and confront the terrors of his own past. “Picking up the tradition started in Street Lethal, Barnes gives us fast paced action and intrigue from the future where the line between human and monster is gossamer thin.”
Ivory by Mike Resnick In this Nebula-and-Clarke-nominated novel, researcher Duncan Rojas is approached by the last Maasai and offered a challenge he can't turn down: to find the ivory of the fabled Kilimanjaro Elephant, the greatest trophy ever taken. As Rojas traces the ivory across the galaxy and through the eons, he also begins to learn why it is so important to his client.
Kindred by Octavia Butler. Dana, a black woman, celebrates her 26th birthday in 1976 only to be snatched abruptly from her home in southern California and transported through time to the antebellum South. Rufus, her ancestor, is drowning, and Dana has been summoned across the years to save him. If she doesn’t, he’ll never grow to manhood and Dana will cease to exist. “This is a book you’ll find hard to put down.”
Lady El by Jim Starlin and Diana Graziunas . Arlene never got many lucky breaks in life. She was born poor, black, in the south. After her father was killed, she ran away to New York City. There, she only found menial cleaning jobs and menial lovers. But just as life was beginning to shine a little, fate deals this struggling black woman another change of fortunes—she is struck down by an express subway train. Normally, this would be the end of the story but for Arlene it is a new beginning. Her brain is transferred into a super computer and linked to the world. Gradually she reawakens and discover tremendous new power and a chance for revenge.
Middle Passage by Charles Johnson. Winner of the National Book Award, this is a stirring saga of a free black man’s adventures at sea—a tale of mutiny and magic, of the dignity of the African past and the horror of American politics. Rufus Calhoun, a former slave, is determine to lived as wild and as free a life possible in New Orleans, a thriving port town filled with the idle rich, prosperous crime lords, and petty thieves. But when a woman is determined to marry Rufus and change his evil ways, he hides aboard a ship heading out to sea. But to his dismay, Rufus has take refuge on a slave ship bound for Africa. In the cargo hold is a mysterious African god.
Street Lethal by Steven Barnes. Champion “null” boxer Aubrey Knight is a futuristic gladiator who has mastered formidable, scientific fighting skills. All he wants to do is stay top contender but first he has to outrun hi-tech crime bosses as well as escape computerized police when he is falsely accused of drug trafficking. And then his luck really goes bad.
Sundiata by D. T. Niane. Epic tale of the ancient Mali Empire told by a master griot, this novel captures the mystery and majesty of a medieval African kingdom and the titanic battle to return a true ruler to his throne. “Part history, part legend . . . ranks with the Odyssey in scope and grandeur.”
The Conjure-Man Dies: A Mystery Tale of Dark Harlem by Rudolph Fisher.Originally published in 1932, The Conjure-Man Dies is the first known mystery novel written by an African-America. Rudolph Fisher, one of the principal writers of the Harlem Renaissance, weaves an intricate story of a native African king, who, after receiving a degree from Harvard University, settles into Harlem in the 1930s. He becomes a “conjure-man,” a fortune teller, a mysterious figure who remains shrouded in darkness while his clients sit directly across from him.
The Fablesinger by Judith Woolcock Colombo. Author Judith Colombo is a Jamaican writer who has created a fascinating feminist fantasy. The old Fablesinger, a great shaman who has the ability to control the forces of nature, is commanded to relinquish her power to a younger woman. The younger woman is at first reluctant but gradually accepts her destiny to carry on as protector for her people. But before the training can be completed, an evil adversary attempts to kill them both. This deadly male Sorcerer seeks ultimate magical power but the Fablesingers stand in his way. Cosmic forces take sides for the final battle. “The story explores the richness and beauty of the magic & myths of the Caribbean.”
The Living Blood by Tananarive Due. Jessica Jacobs-Wolde's life was destroyed when her husband, David Wolde, disappeared after apparently killing both their daughter Kira and Jessica herself--and reviving Jessica to immortality with his healing blood. David was a Life Brother, member of an ancient, secret, and immortal African clan that had hidden itself from the modern world until now.
Under African Skies by Mike Resnick. Resnick brings together a collection of science fiction short stories written by different authors who have used Africa as the backdrop and setting for their tales. The stories, told from both European and “native” viewpoints take a look at the past and the future—invasion by alien flora, a space baby adopted by an African woman, the rise of Africa after a nuclear war, a space utopia modeled after ancient Kenya, and other stories of fantasy and speculation filled this book.
Wild Seed by Octavia Butler. Doro was born deep in Africa and cannot die. He is the most powerful man on the planet Earth. Anyanwu, an African witch, goddess, grandmother and wife cannot be killed. Her awesome healing abilities allow her to oppose Doro and his plans for her hundreds of children yet to be born. Together, these two immortals are locked in a war of wills and locked in a love that carries over several continents and hundreds of years. “Octavia Butler is a master of science fiction and never seems to do the expected. She will be greatly missed.”
(Great writers are great readers. The more we read, the better we write.)
******************************
Suggested Reading
African American Science Fiction and Fantasy Novels
Compiled by Stafford L. Battle
sbattle@sbattle.com
Black Empire by George S. Schuyler. Schuyler’s novel fantasizes a 1930s where one black man plots to take over a continent, drawing Europe back into global conflict. Dr. Henry Belsidus has brought together a group of black professionals whose collective knowledge and skills become the backbone of Black Internationale, an underground group spanning the globe. Through alternative energy and farming techniques, murder and robbery, and even a new hi-tech religion, the Black Internationale plans to manipulate the world powers and reclaim Africa as a black nation, wiping out anyone, regardless of race, who stands in its way. “Considered to be the first African heritage science fiction story ever published, many of the technological triumphs explored in the novel are science fact today!”
Black No More by George Schulyer. This scathingly humorous novel established George Schulyer as one of the leading satirist of the twentieth century. The plot revolves around the picaresque adventures of the young black protagonist, Max, who goes to a brilliant physician that has discovered a “cure” for blackness. Max takes the cure and, needless to say, is transformed. However, life then takes some very strange twists as he desperately tries to recover what he has recklessly thrown away. Also, Schuyler creates thinly disguised portraits of black leaders such as W.E.B. Dubois and Marcus Garvey with characteristic irreverence. “Fast, funny, and immensely satirical Schulyer has been called the precursor to Ishmael Reed.”
Blue Light, is Walter Moseley's first sci-fi novel and the prelude to his trilogy. From an unknown point in the universe, an inscrutable blue light approaches our solar system. When it reaches Earth, it transforms those it strikes, causing them to evolve beyond the present state of humanity. Each person imbues with the light becomes the full realization of his or her nature and potential, with strengths, understanding, and communication abilities far beyond our imagining.
Bwana & Bully. Mike Resnick gives us two novellas—one set in the far future and one set in a fictional past. Bwana is the story of a utopian African society constructed on an orbiting asteroid. The inhabits hunt transplanted game, live in thatched huts, abide by the traditional laws isolated from the evils of modern technology. Only the Shaman has access to the modern world and he demands strict obedience to tradition. But when forest beasts attack and kill human children, the villagers cry out that an outside hunter with modern weapons must be brought in. But as the old saying goes, “Once the Lion has chased away the Hyena, who chases away the Lion?” Bully is a satirical look at a fictional account of President Theodore Roosevelt escapades when he tries to bring American civilization to Africa. Despite his good, yet somewhat imperialistic intentions, the Africans have their own views of what they want to do with their continent.
Dark Matter: A Century of Speculative Fiction from the African Diaspora edited by Sheree R. Thomas. Short stories by Steven Barnes, Octavia E. Butler, Samuel R. Delany, Tananarive Due, Jewelle Gomez, Nalo Hopkinson, Walter Mosley, Ishmael Reed, and many more. This is an excellence collection of Black sci-fi and a most read for anyone considering to publish in this genre.
Dawn by Octavia Butler. Dawn is the first book in the Xenogenesis Series. Lilith Iyapo, a black woman who has survived Earth’s final nuclear holocaust, awakens aboard an alien spaceship. In a bleak, windowless cell, Lilith has only fragmentary images of her captors—the Oankali, beings hideously ugly to humans. The Oankali offer Lilith and a handful of fellow survivors a chance to rebuild, if humankind is willing to make a valuable trade. But the ultimate price may be more than both species could ever have imagined.
Futureland by Walter Mosley. Life in America a generation from now isn't much different from today: The drugs are better, the daily grind is worse. The gap between the rich and the poor has widened to a chasm. You can store the world's legal knowledge on a chip in your little finger, while the Supreme Court has decreed that constitutional rights don't apply to any individual who challenges the system. Justice is swiftly delivered by automated courts, so the prison industry is booming. And while the media declare racism is dead, word on the street is that even in a colorless society, it's a crime to be black.
Gorgon Child by Steven Barnes. Fanatics plots to enslave the entire country through the use of a genetically engineered breed of invincible killers. Aubry Knight, a futuristic Null-Boxer, uses his hi-tech fighting skills to battle treacherous politicians, an inhuman army, and confront the terrors of his own past. “Picking up the tradition started in Street Lethal, Barnes gives us fast paced action and intrigue from the future where the line between human and monster is gossamer thin.”
Ivory by Mike Resnick In this Nebula-and-Clarke-nominated novel, researcher Duncan Rojas is approached by the last Maasai and offered a challenge he can't turn down: to find the ivory of the fabled Kilimanjaro Elephant, the greatest trophy ever taken. As Rojas traces the ivory across the galaxy and through the eons, he also begins to learn why it is so important to his client.
Kindred by Octavia Butler. Dana, a black woman, celebrates her 26th birthday in 1976 only to be snatched abruptly from her home in southern California and transported through time to the antebellum South. Rufus, her ancestor, is drowning, and Dana has been summoned across the years to save him. If she doesn’t, he’ll never grow to manhood and Dana will cease to exist. “This is a book you’ll find hard to put down.”
Lady El by Jim Starlin and Diana Graziunas . Arlene never got many lucky breaks in life. She was born poor, black, in the south. After her father was killed, she ran away to New York City. There, she only found menial cleaning jobs and menial lovers. But just as life was beginning to shine a little, fate deals this struggling black woman another change of fortunes—she is struck down by an express subway train. Normally, this would be the end of the story but for Arlene it is a new beginning. Her brain is transferred into a super computer and linked to the world. Gradually she reawakens and discover tremendous new power and a chance for revenge.
Middle Passage by Charles Johnson. Winner of the National Book Award, this is a stirring saga of a free black man’s adventures at sea—a tale of mutiny and magic, of the dignity of the African past and the horror of American politics. Rufus Calhoun, a former slave, is determine to lived as wild and as free a life possible in New Orleans, a thriving port town filled with the idle rich, prosperous crime lords, and petty thieves. But when a woman is determined to marry Rufus and change his evil ways, he hides aboard a ship heading out to sea. But to his dismay, Rufus has take refuge on a slave ship bound for Africa. In the cargo hold is a mysterious African god.
Street Lethal by Steven Barnes. Champion “null” boxer Aubrey Knight is a futuristic gladiator who has mastered formidable, scientific fighting skills. All he wants to do is stay top contender but first he has to outrun hi-tech crime bosses as well as escape computerized police when he is falsely accused of drug trafficking. And then his luck really goes bad.
Sundiata by D. T. Niane. Epic tale of the ancient Mali Empire told by a master griot, this novel captures the mystery and majesty of a medieval African kingdom and the titanic battle to return a true ruler to his throne. “Part history, part legend . . . ranks with the Odyssey in scope and grandeur.”
The Conjure-Man Dies: A Mystery Tale of Dark Harlem by Rudolph Fisher.Originally published in 1932, The Conjure-Man Dies is the first known mystery novel written by an African-America. Rudolph Fisher, one of the principal writers of the Harlem Renaissance, weaves an intricate story of a native African king, who, after receiving a degree from Harvard University, settles into Harlem in the 1930s. He becomes a “conjure-man,” a fortune teller, a mysterious figure who remains shrouded in darkness while his clients sit directly across from him.
The Fablesinger by Judith Woolcock Colombo. Author Judith Colombo is a Jamaican writer who has created a fascinating feminist fantasy. The old Fablesinger, a great shaman who has the ability to control the forces of nature, is commanded to relinquish her power to a younger woman. The younger woman is at first reluctant but gradually accepts her destiny to carry on as protector for her people. But before the training can be completed, an evil adversary attempts to kill them both. This deadly male Sorcerer seeks ultimate magical power but the Fablesingers stand in his way. Cosmic forces take sides for the final battle. “The story explores the richness and beauty of the magic & myths of the Caribbean.”
The Living Blood by Tananarive Due. Jessica Jacobs-Wolde's life was destroyed when her husband, David Wolde, disappeared after apparently killing both their daughter Kira and Jessica herself--and reviving Jessica to immortality with his healing blood. David was a Life Brother, member of an ancient, secret, and immortal African clan that had hidden itself from the modern world until now.
Under African Skies by Mike Resnick. Resnick brings together a collection of science fiction short stories written by different authors who have used Africa as the backdrop and setting for their tales. The stories, told from both European and “native” viewpoints take a look at the past and the future—invasion by alien flora, a space baby adopted by an African woman, the rise of Africa after a nuclear war, a space utopia modeled after ancient Kenya, and other stories of fantasy and speculation filled this book.
Wild Seed by Octavia Butler. Doro was born deep in Africa and cannot die. He is the most powerful man on the planet Earth. Anyanwu, an African witch, goddess, grandmother and wife cannot be killed. Her awesome healing abilities allow her to oppose Doro and his plans for her hundreds of children yet to be born. Together, these two immortals are locked in a war of wills and locked in a love that carries over several continents and hundreds of years. “Octavia Butler is a master of science fiction and never seems to do the expected. She will be greatly missed.”
Tags: african, american, battle, fiction, horror, sci-fi, science, speculative, stafford
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Naamen Gobert Tilahun on -
Wow! Thanks so much for this list. There's a lot on here I've actually never heard of and they must go on my to-read list immediately.
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Permalink Reply by Stafford Battle on
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Have fun. Several years ago, I worked with the African Heritage Literature Society (AHLS): our motto was "Fiction with a Different Face." We made it our mission to rediscover black characters in fiction. BTW, read Black Empire by George S. Schuyler as one of your first selections. I suspect it is probably the first black speculative fiction novel written.
Tell me what you think.
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Permalink Reply by Milton Davis on -
You missed Imaro, by Charles R. Saunders. Charles R. Saunders took his knowledge of African history and created the first black sword and sorcery hero, Imaro. Originally published in 1986, the books were re-released by Nightshade Publishing in 2005. Charles is currently preparing to release a novel based on his female warrior, Doussouye. A story based on this character was featured in Dark Matters.
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Thanks for reminder. I did read some of his novels--very good. We need to contact him and invite to join the BAS; perhaps get him down from Canada to do a reading.
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Permalink Reply by Black CapaCity Literary Arts Festival on
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There's a brother named Gregory L. Walker b/k/a Brother G. He's written a series called "Shades of Memnon", story of the adventures of the Kushite warrior. I also love L.A. Banks' work on her Vampire Huntress and Crimson Moon series respectively.
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I haven't read these authors, but I will very soon! It's great to see more stories based on Africa and African myth.
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Permalink Reply by Milton Davis on
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I already sent him the link. He'll be joining soon. He just joined the Black Science Fiction Society yesterday. We communicate regulary; he wrote the intro for my book, Meji and my upcoming novel, Changa's Safari.
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COOL!!!!! I posted this here, but he also recently released his latest novel Dossouye, based on his she-warrior character of the same name. She exists in the same Nyumbani universe as Imaro. He's releasing it by POD on lulu.com.
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Permalink Reply by Milton Davis on
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I had the priveledge to read the manuscript before publication. It's excellent! Buy it!
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LUCKY YOU!!!! Now I REALLY can't wait to buy it!
Also, there is an anthology being released called "The Darker Mask" edited I believe by Walter Mosely. It's a collection of stores about Black superheroes written by various authors. I don't remember the authors involved off the top of my head, though....
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Permalink Reply by Shantella Sherman on -
This is a seriously frightful list! The only book I would add to it is PSI Net, by actor Billy Dee Williams. (Yes, Colt 45!) The book put me in the mind of Octavia Butler, but is present-day and involves military remote viewing via psychic spying. It will literally make the hairs stand up on the backs of your neck.
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Thanks for the update. I admire and like anything written by Walt. At Amazon I found the following:
"The Darker Mask is a collection of original prose stories recalling the derring-do of the beings we call Superheroes and the worlds they fight to save. But unique to The Darker Mask stories is that these plots and characters color a literary universe outside of what has been predominantly white, idiosyncratic, and male in previous homages to pulp. This is the stuff of urban legends, new mythos, and extraordinary folks who might live in a soon-to-be-gentrified ghetto, the dreary rust-belt of the city, or in another dimension. The Darker Mask offers an eclectic mix of popular fiction writers exploring worlds gritty, visceral, and fantastic.
Including stories by: Walter Mosley, L. A. Banks, Naomi Hirahara, Lorenzo Carcaterra, Tananarive Due and Stephen Barnes, Mike Gonzales, Gar Anthony Haywood, Ann Nocenti, Jerry Rodriguez, Reed Farrell Coleman, Doselle Young, Mat Johnson, Peter Spiegelman, Alexandra Sokoloff, Christopher Chambers, Gary Phillips, Victor LaValle, and Wayne Wilson."
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