Reviews tagging 'Fatphobia'
The Year's Best African Speculative Fiction by Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki
1 review
lauraglovestoread's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This is a fantastic and wide-ranging collection including stories of science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Editor Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki has truly done a wonderful job in bringing together diverse themes – parenthood, grief, gentrification, technological change, scientific ethics, racism, guilt, sacrifice, environmental destruction – in a range of genres and styles. The majority of authors included in this collection I had not read before; I am thrilled to have discovered quite a few authors whom I absolutely must read more from. Inevitably with an anthology, I enjoyed some stories significantly more than others; some stories I found too short. Overall, I enjoyed this collection very much and highly recommend it. Some of my favourite stories included:
“Things Boys Do” by Pemi Aguda – disturbing horror as three men find reason to be afraid of their newborn sons.
“Giant Steps” by Russell Nichols – the reflections of a scientist on an incredible solo space voyage. A favourite in the collection for sure.
“A Mastery of German” by Marian Denise Moore – a thought-provoking story raising issues of epigenetics, the transferability of memory, and medical ethics. An absolute favourite.
“Disassembly” by Makena Onjerika – a woman who can come apart and rebuild herself. Thought-provoking; another favourite.
“Egoli” by T.L. Huchu – an elderly protagonist reflects on all the changes she’s experienced throughout her lifetime.
“And This is How to Stay Alive” by Shingai Njeri Kagunda – a moving story of grief and guilt after the suicide of a loved one.
“Red_Bati” by Dilman Dila – the story of a robotic dog with more awareness than those around it realize it has.
Thank you to NetGalley and Jembefola Press for providing me with an ARC in exchange for this review.
“Things Boys Do” by Pemi Aguda – disturbing horror as three men find reason to be afraid of their newborn sons.
“Giant Steps” by Russell Nichols – the reflections of a scientist on an incredible solo space voyage. A favourite in the collection for sure.
“A Mastery of German” by Marian Denise Moore – a thought-provoking story raising issues of epigenetics, the transferability of memory, and medical ethics. An absolute favourite.
“Disassembly” by Makena Onjerika – a woman who can come apart and rebuild herself. Thought-provoking; another favourite.
“Egoli” by T.L. Huchu – an elderly protagonist reflects on all the changes she’s experienced throughout her lifetime.
“And This is How to Stay Alive” by Shingai Njeri Kagunda – a moving story of grief and guilt after the suicide of a loved one.
“Red_Bati” by Dilman Dila – the story of a robotic dog with more awareness than those around it realize it has.
Thank you to NetGalley and Jembefola Press for providing me with an ARC in exchange for this review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Murder, Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Racial slurs, Fatphobia, and Blood
Moderate: Gun violence, Homophobia, Transphobia, and Racism
Minor: Sexual assault
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