Name: Dark Matter
ISBN: 9780446677240

Sheree R. Thomas

This volume introduces black science fiction, fantasy, and speculative fiction writers to the generations of readers who have not had the chance to explore the scope and diversity among African-American writers.

A Century of Speculative Fiction from the African Diaspora

Dark Matter

Stark Koenig

I find most anthologies of short fiction hit and miss, but the hits in this one were more than enough to compensate for the misses. Some standouts include:

1. Chicago, 1927 - Jewelle Gomez
For fans of the Gilda stories, here's a nice short one, combining Gomez's unique take on vamp lore with a queer eye view of Chicago in the roaring 20s. If you're not familiar with Gomez's other work, this is a great introduction.

2. Like Daughter - Tananarive Due
I can't say much without giving the story away but I will say it is a unique approach to looking at the long term effects that cycles of poverty, abuse, and racism have on the psyche. 

3. Greedy Choke Puppy - Nalo Hopkinson
I love the way Nalo weaves Caribbean folklore into her stories, and I especially love a soucouyant. 

4. Ganger (Ball Lightning) - Nalo Hopkinson
This is what happens when sex toys take the place of good communication in a relationship. Lord love a cautionary tale.

5. The Evening and the Morning and the Night - Octavia Butler
I love disease dystopias, and this one is especially great because it centres on the way human connection can be as important as any medical treatment.

6. The Space Traders - Derrick Bell
This one is perpetually relevant, although written in 1992. It predicts an American response to an offer by intergalactic traders who have offered the solutions to all of America's financial, environmental, and energy problems... in exchange for all of the black people. And it could have been written yesterday. 

This list is by no means exhaustive; there are a whole bunch of excellent stories in here, some by authors with whom I have not been acquainted, but will now be reading.

Kate Brown

Dark Matter is the first and only series to bring together the works of black SF and fantasy writers. The first volume was featured in the "New York Times," which named it a Notable Book of the Year.

Dark Matter A Century of Speculative Fiction from the African Diaspora

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