Best Afrofuturism Books
Are you looking for your next afrofuturism book? For you, here's a curation of 5 of the best afrofuturism books of all time. Each book has a summary and key takeaways to help you decide which one to read next.
Parable of the Sower
Octavia E. Butler4.21/5- 1993Science FictionDystopianPhilosophicalThis novel is pivotal for its profound narrative that combines a stark vision of the future with deep, introspective questions about society and belief systems.Octavia Butler's 'Parable of the Sower' unfolds in a dystopian future shaped by climate change and economic hardships. It follows Lauren Olamina as she navigates a perilous America, introducing a new belief system that might just hold the key to humanity's survival.Read summaryThe Fifth Season
N.K. Jemisin0.00/5- 2015FantasyEpicDystopianAwarded for its originality and depth, this novel is essential for its exploration of themes like power, oppression, and survival within a complex, well-built world.N.K. Jemisin's 'The Fifth Season' transports readers to a planet undergoing apocalyptic changes, where the inhabitants possess the power to prevent or cause these cataclysms.Read summaryBinti
Nnedi Okorafor3.87/5- 2015Science FictionSpace OperaYoung AdultThis novella is essential for its portrayal of a young African woman's journey through intercultural and interstellar educational experiences, reflecting themes of identity and reconciliation.Nnedi Okorafor's 'Binti' follows a young Himba girl with a prodigious aptitude for mathematics, who leaves her traditional life to attend a prestigious interstellar university, confronting and transcending the boundaries of her culture and identity.Read summaryAn Unkindness of Ghosts
Rivers Solomon3.96/5- 2017Science FictionDystopianAfrofuturismThis novel is critical for its stark portrayal of racial and social hierarchies set against a sci-fi backdrop, providing a compelling narrative that draws poignant parallels to historical atrocities.Rivers Solomon's 'An Unkindness of Ghosts' explores the harrowing life aboard a spaceship that mirrors the antebellum South, where the protagonist, Aster, a resident of the lower decks, uncovers dark secrets about her mother's past while navigating the oppressive societal structures.Read summaryBlack Leopard, Red Wolf
Marlon James3.45/5- 2019FantasyEpicMythologyThis novel is recommended for its rich narrative that combines elements of traditional African storytelling with a detailed, mythical landscape, making it a standout addition to the Afrofuturism genre.Marlon James' 'Black Leopard, Red Wolf' is the first book of the Dark Star Trilogy. This epic novel blends African history and mythology into a vivid and complex fantasy world. The story follows Tracker, a hunter known for his keen sense of smell, who is hired to find a missing boy. As Tracker navigates through ancient cities and dense forests with a group of eclectic characters, including a shape-shifting being known as Leopard, they encounter sinister creatures and unravel deep mysteries.Read summary
