Buzz
First introduced by Mark Dery in his 1993 essay “Black to the Future” [PDF], Afrofuturism is a cultural movement that spans art, technology, film, philosophy, and literature—all of which examine Black history and culture, often through a science-fiction perspective. These works envision alternative histories and potential futures connected to the African diaspora.
The genre has seen a significant rise in popularity in recent years, partly due to Marvel’s 2018 blockbuster Black Panther and its upcoming sequel. While the term was coined in the early ’90s, Afrofuturism’s origins trace back to the 19th century, with Martin R. Delany’s Blake; or The Huts of America (1859) being a pivotal early work.
This curated list offers a brief yet insightful literary gateway into Afrofuturism. While it’s impossible to include every notable work, special recognition goes to authors like Samuel R. Delany, N. K. Jemisin, and Nalo Hopkinson, who have played a crucial role in shaping this extraordinary genre.
1. Parable of the Sower // Octavia Butler
As a reserved child, Octavia Butler sought solace in her neighborhood public library
2. The Black God’s Drums // P. Djèlí Clark
A recipient of both the Nebula and Locus Awards, Dexter Gabriel, writing as P. Djèlí Clark, is widely regarded as one of the finest modern speculative fiction authors. While all of Clark’s works are worth exploring, his 2018 novella, The Black God’s Drums, stands out. This tale unfolds in an alternate history where the Confederate States triumphed in the American Civil War, following a New Orleans street urchin named Creeper as she becomes entangled in a cunning scheme involving the enigmatic titular weapon and the battle to control it.
3. An Unkindness of Ghosts // Rivers Solomon
Non-binary author Rivers Solomon crafts their narratives with remarkable depth and elegance. Their debut novel, An Unkindness of Ghosts, is a gripping tale set on a colossal “generation ship,” where society is divided by race, with darker-skinned individuals confined to the lower decks and forced into servitude. The protagonist, Aster Gray, a resident of these lower decks, embarks on a quest to unravel a mysterious death linked to her mother’s tragic suicide.
4. Nigerians in Space // Deji Bryce Olukotun
This novel is a brilliantly inventive and thoroughly engaging story that transforms its uniqueness into a strength. Dr. Wale Olufunmi, a lunar rock geologist, is assigned the mission of stealing a fragment of the moon, placing both his personal reputation and Nigeria’s national pride on the line. Spanning multiple timelines, locations, and characters, Nigerians in Space delves into themes of identity with refreshing originality.
5. Riot Baby // Tochi Onyebuchi
Former civil rights lawyer Tochi Onyebuchi made waves with his 2020 science fiction novella, Riot Baby, earning accolades such as an Alex Award and a World Fantasy Award. Set in a near-future dystopia, the story weaves profound reflections on family bonds and the Black American experience into a thrilling narrative about two siblings, one of whom possesses extraordinary—and potentially destructive—telekinetic abilities. Onyebuchi’s writing shines with creativity and brilliance throughout.
6. Binti // Nnedi Okorafor
Written by Nigerian-American author Nnedi Okorafor, Binti frequently appears on must-read lists, and for good reason. Winner of both the 2016 Hugo and Nebula awards (with a Hulu adaptation reportedly in development), this gripping science fiction novella blends timeless appeal with fresh innovation, serving as the first installment in a captivating trilogy. The story follows the young protagonist as she journeys to a prestigious university, only to find herself at the heart of an interstellar war.
7. The Intuitionist // Colson Whitehead
This highly original novel by two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Colson Whitehead is set in a distorted version of a modern city, where towering skyscrapers rely entirely on elevators for vertical mobility. Two competing factions of elevator inspectors, the Intuitionists and the Empiricists, employ opposing methodologies. When an elevator inspected by the protagonist, Lila Mae Watson, fails catastrophically, it sets off a chain of events that could transform the city forever. While all of Whitehead’s works are worth exploring, this 1999 debut is an excellent starting point.
8. Chaka // Thomas Mofolo; $12
Born in Lesotho in 1876, Thomas Mofolo is celebrated as one of Southern Africa’s literary giants. His most renowned work, Chaka, originally published in 1925 in Sesotho (a Southern Bantu language), stands as a pivotal contribution to Afrofuturism. Translated into English and reissued six years later, the novel offers a fictionalized portrayal of Shaka Zulu (also known as Shaka kaSenzangakhona), infused with rich speculative elements. A timeless story of ambition and hubris leading to ruin, Chaka rivals the dramatic intensity and tragic depth of Shakespeare’s finest works.
