Böcker av Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki

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.

A captivating collection of original stories and essays by award-winning authors that celebrates the richness and complexity of African mysticism.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 theborn 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.

"In the highly anticipated follow-up to the acclaimed 2021 anthology descibed as containing "some of the most exciting voices, old and new, from Africa and the diaspora, published in the 2020 year," readers will be blown away by the caliber of stories and poems collected in this exciting new volume. The Year's Best African Speculative Fiction 2021 won the World Fantasy Award for best anthology and was met with widespread critical acclaim from all around the globe, with the science fiction trade magazine, Locus, calling it a "must read." Multiple award-winning editor Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki, who created the first anthology, now joins forces with Eugen Bacon, a 2023 British Fantasy Award winner, and Milton Davis, an award-winning black speculative fiction writer and editor, to introduce readers to an ever more diverse list of authors associated with Africa. Timely and relevant to today's world, the fiction selected for this book will astonish, shock and amaze readers, while introducing them to rich cultures and vibrant characters that push the envelope." -- back cover