Speculative Fiction Rewrites the Narrative on Colonialism

Episode 207

The stories we tell about the past can determine the way we understand the present. But what happens when we combine tales of magic and fantasy with some of the most traumatic chapters in history? I talk with novelists P. Djeli Clark, Nisi Shawl, and Zen Cho about how speculative fiction can be a useful tool to reimagine the legacy of colonialism and imperialism. Plus, we hear readings from actress Nneka Okoye. 

 Books mentioned in this episode:

•  A Master of Djinn by P. Djeli Clark

•  Everfair by Nisi Shawl

• Sorcerer to The Crown by Zen Cho

• Babel, or The Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators’ Revolution by R. F. Kuang (author of The Poppy War series)

• A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine

Speculative Fiction Rewrites the Narrative on Colonialism

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Speculative Fiction Rewrites the Narrative on Colonialism transcript

MUSIC LIST

• Borough by Blue Dot Sessions

• Picnic March by Blue Dot Sessions

• A Bit of Mischief by Sono Sancuts

• Waltz and Fury by Blue Dot Sessions

• Etude No 1 For String Quartet by Peter Sandberg

• Rivers Run Red by Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen

• Machine (Reprise) by Magnus Moore