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Dark Matter #1
Dark Matter: A Century of Speculative Fiction from the African Diaspora
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.
436 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2000
324 people are currently reading
10685 people want to read
About the author
Sheree Renée Thomas
77 books239 followersSheree Thomas — also credited as Sheree R. Thomas and Sheree Renée Thomas — is an American writer, book editor and publisher.
Thomas is the editor of the Dark Matter anthology (2000), in which are collected works by some of the best African-American writers in the genres of science fiction, horror and fantasy. Among the many notable authors included are Samuel R. Delany, Octavia E. Butler, Charles R. Saunders, Steven Barnes, Tananarive Due, Jewelle Gomez, Ishmael Reed, Kalamu ya Salaam, Robert Fleming, Nalo Hopkinson, George S. Schuyler and W. E. B. Du Bois. Dark Matter was honored with the 2005 and the 2001 World Fantasy Award and named a New York Times Notable Book of the Year.
Thomas is the publisher of Wanganegresse Press, and has contributed to national publications including the Washington Post "Book World", Black Issues Book Review, QBR, and Hip Mama. Her fiction and poetry have appeared in Ishmael Reed's Konch, Drumvoices Revue, Obsidian III, African Voices, storySouth, and other literary journals, and has received Honorable Mention in the Year's Best Fantasy and Horror, 16th and 17th annual collections. A native of Memphis, she lives in New York City.
Thomas is the editor of the Dark Matter anthology (2000), in which are collected works by some of the best African-American writers in the genres of science fiction, horror and fantasy. Among the many notable authors included are Samuel R. Delany, Octavia E. Butler, Charles R. Saunders, Steven Barnes, Tananarive Due, Jewelle Gomez, Ishmael Reed, Kalamu ya Salaam, Robert Fleming, Nalo Hopkinson, George S. Schuyler and W. E. B. Du Bois. Dark Matter was honored with the 2005 and the 2001 World Fantasy Award and named a New York Times Notable Book of the Year.
Thomas is the publisher of Wanganegresse Press, and has contributed to national publications including the Washington Post "Book World", Black Issues Book Review, QBR, and Hip Mama. Her fiction and poetry have appeared in Ishmael Reed's Konch, Drumvoices Revue, Obsidian III, African Voices, storySouth, and other literary journals, and has received Honorable Mention in the Year's Best Fantasy and Horror, 16th and 17th annual collections. A native of Memphis, she lives in New York City.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews
March 11, 2018
Sister Lilith/Honoree Fanonne Jeffers -- Didn't love the story, but opening with something set in the time of Genesis (Bible, not band) felt appropriate.
The comet/W.E.B. Du Bois -- Great writing. Du Bois convincingly and succinctly conveys the feelings of the protagonist under a series of abrupt, shocking changes.
Black No More/George Schuyler -- Hard to assess, as it is an early-on excerpt from a novel and I don't know where it goes. Certainly seems like a good historical document regarding racial and cultural issues of the 1920s.
Like Daughter/Tannarive Due -- Sad, creepy, horrifying. Poor everybody. I keep meaning to read more by this author.
Greedy choke puppy/Nalo Hopkinson -- Life is tough. Granny is tougher! That sounds jokey, though, and although this story has humor it is not a frivolous story. In fact, it is unexpectedly hard-hitting.
Tasting songs/Leone Ross --Aside from the idea of hyperhydrosis so extreme that one literally poured water constantly (wouldn't you dehydrate?) this doesn't really seem like spec fic - a photographer talks about his affair with a model and the effect on his marriage.
separation anxiety/Evie Shockley -- African Americans are voluntarily segregated into cultural reservations where they protected from alternate cultural influences. Most of them prefer this, but young people find the increasingly intrusive demands of anthropological record-keeping offensive.
Aye, and Gomorrah.../Samuel R. Delany -- Body as subject of and unit of exchange in capitalism, sex, psychology.
Ganger (ball lightning)/Nalo Hopkinson -- It's a story as old as time: buying your partner sex toys instead of talking about your feelings never works out in the end.
At the huts of Ajala/Nisi Shawl -- Interior journey as coming of age, via a sort of allegorical dream-quest. I don't know what this is called, but I've seen it done a number of times, often more interestingly. I did like the concept of being "two-headed"; I don't know if Shawl invented that or if it is a part of the voodoo tradition.
The woman in the wall/Steven Barnes -- An American artist abroad is wrongfully imprisoned in a camp for contagious refugees. Her husband is shot and she is left responsible for his daughter, with whom she has a rocky relationship. The camp with its starvation and filth was viscerally horrible. I'm not sure where the "speculative" aspect came in.
Ark of bones/Henry Dumas -- Wow. That was really different, and impressive. It's like Twain took some hallucinogens and decided to write something mythopoetic.
Depressingly, it appears that all of Dumas' stories and poems were published by a friend after his premature "accidental" death by transit cop.
The comet/W.E.B. Du Bois -- Great writing. Du Bois convincingly and succinctly conveys the feelings of the protagonist under a series of abrupt, shocking changes.
Black No More/George Schuyler -- Hard to assess, as it is an early-on excerpt from a novel and I don't know where it goes. Certainly seems like a good historical document regarding racial and cultural issues of the 1920s.
Like Daughter/Tannarive Due -- Sad, creepy, horrifying. Poor everybody. I keep meaning to read more by this author.
Greedy choke puppy/Nalo Hopkinson -- Life is tough. Granny is tougher! That sounds jokey, though, and although this story has humor it is not a frivolous story. In fact, it is unexpectedly hard-hitting.
Tasting songs/Leone Ross --Aside from the idea of hyperhydrosis so extreme that one literally poured water constantly (wouldn't you dehydrate?) this doesn't really seem like spec fic - a photographer talks about his affair with a model and the effect on his marriage.
separation anxiety/Evie Shockley -- African Americans are voluntarily segregated into cultural reservations where they protected from alternate cultural influences. Most of them prefer this, but young people find the increasingly intrusive demands of anthropological record-keeping offensive.
Aye, and Gomorrah.../Samuel R. Delany -- Body as subject of and unit of exchange in capitalism, sex, psychology.
Ganger (ball lightning)/Nalo Hopkinson -- It's a story as old as time: buying your partner sex toys instead of talking about your feelings never works out in the end.
At the huts of Ajala/Nisi Shawl -- Interior journey as coming of age, via a sort of allegorical dream-quest. I don't know what this is called, but I've seen it done a number of times, often more interestingly. I did like the concept of being "two-headed"; I don't know if Shawl invented that or if it is a part of the voodoo tradition.
The woman in the wall/Steven Barnes -- An American artist abroad is wrongfully imprisoned in a camp for contagious refugees. Her husband is shot and she is left responsible for his daughter, with whom she has a rocky relationship. The camp with its starvation and filth was viscerally horrible. I'm not sure where the "speculative" aspect came in.
Ark of bones/Henry Dumas -- Wow. That was really different, and impressive. It's like Twain took some hallucinogens and decided to write something mythopoetic.
Depressingly, it appears that all of Dumas' stories and poems were published by a friend after his premature "accidental" death by transit cop.
August 21, 2008
This anthology is a useful collection and contains some wonderful fiction. However, its subtitle, "A Century of Speculative Fiction from the African Diaspora," led me to expect a collection of texts that really does attempt to represent the last century. Instead, only one third of the book is constituted by stories that were published prior to the year 2000 (ranging chronologically from 1887 to 1999). This places the emphasis of the book less on revealing how much black SF has been written in the past and the traditions of black SF or black writers who venture into SF and more on introducing new voices in black SF and encouraging contemporary black writers of SF. That is a worthy goal; I don't mean to imply that it's not. It's just not what I expected.
The inclusion of the few short critical pieces at the end of the anthology is a nice touch. Featuring essays by Samuel Delany, Charles Saunders, Walter Mosley, Paul Miller (DJ Spooky), and Octavia Butler, the book approaches the question of race in science fiction from a variety of perspectives.
Regarding the stories themselves, there are many that are excellent. I particularly enjoyed (and might like to teach at some point) the following:
**"Sister Lilith" by Honoree Fanonne Jeffers (2000), a re-telling of the Creation story from the perspective of Lilith, Adam's first wife.
**"The Comet" by W. E. B. DuBois (1920), which addresses issues of inequality and prejudice in the aftermath of a disaster that kills millions.
**an excerpt from Black No More by George S. Schuyler (1931), a story about a scientist who invents a way to turn black people white and what happens as a result. I plan to read the whole novel based on the excerpt included here.
**"separation anxiety" by Evie Shockley (2000), set in a future America built on segregation/separation of racial groups.
**"Can You Wear My Eyes" by Kalamu ya Salaam (2000). This one is interesting to me because it speaks less directly to racial experience and more to the experience of gender.
**"Like Daughter" by Tananarive Due (2000), a story about abuse and second chances that made me cry.
**"The Evening and the Morning and the Night" by Octavia Butler (1987). I just always like Butler.
**"The Space Traders" by Derrick Bell (1992), a story about politics and race relations in America, centered around a first contact scenario in which an alien race offers America wondrous technology and great riches in exchange for all African American citizens.
The inclusion of the few short critical pieces at the end of the anthology is a nice touch. Featuring essays by Samuel Delany, Charles Saunders, Walter Mosley, Paul Miller (DJ Spooky), and Octavia Butler, the book approaches the question of race in science fiction from a variety of perspectives.
Regarding the stories themselves, there are many that are excellent. I particularly enjoyed (and might like to teach at some point) the following:
**"Sister Lilith" by Honoree Fanonne Jeffers (2000), a re-telling of the Creation story from the perspective of Lilith, Adam's first wife.
**"The Comet" by W. E. B. DuBois (1920), which addresses issues of inequality and prejudice in the aftermath of a disaster that kills millions.
**an excerpt from Black No More by George S. Schuyler (1931), a story about a scientist who invents a way to turn black people white and what happens as a result. I plan to read the whole novel based on the excerpt included here.
**"separation anxiety" by Evie Shockley (2000), set in a future America built on segregation/separation of racial groups.
**"Can You Wear My Eyes" by Kalamu ya Salaam (2000). This one is interesting to me because it speaks less directly to racial experience and more to the experience of gender.
**"Like Daughter" by Tananarive Due (2000), a story about abuse and second chances that made me cry.
**"The Evening and the Morning and the Night" by Octavia Butler (1987). I just always like Butler.
**"The Space Traders" by Derrick Bell (1992), a story about politics and race relations in America, centered around a first contact scenario in which an alien race offers America wondrous technology and great riches in exchange for all African American citizens.
March 1, 2022
While I was certainly drawn to Dark Matter by a Black History Month display at my local library, the clincher for me was seeing editor Sheree Renée Thomas' name on the cover. She's the current editor of The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, and as a long-time subscriber to that magazine (since the 1980s, in fact), I have been extremely impressed with the way F&SF has evolved during her recent tenure.
I was right to pick up Dark Matter, too. The stories and essays in this book, their ebb and flow, how they were chosen and arranged, show that Thomas already had an assured curatorial hand, 'way back then in the fabled Year Why Too Kay. And one of the things that Dark Matter conveys most effectively is that black SF is nothing new—wasn't new in 2000, for that matter; it's been part of the genre, however unacknowledged, all along. Twenty years along and more, these stories have held their power, more than most speculative fiction ever has.
I should mention before diving in that these authors often use words that I, as a white guy, do not feel okay about repeating here. That should not put you off, though. Context is critical.
*
As is my wont, I have made brief notes on each of the pieces in this anthology:
"Introduction: Looking for the Invisible" (2000) • essay by Sheree Renée Thomas
Dark Matter is the perfect title for this book—and Thomas is perfectly aware of all its metaphorical gravity.
"Sister Lilith" (2000) • short story by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers
What in Creation? You know this story, I'm sure—but not from this angle.
"The Comet" (1920) • short story by W.E.B. Du Bois
Escaping the apocalypse, deep underground—this is quite possibly the earliest appearance of this trope in sf.
"Chicago 1927" (2000) • short story by Jewelle L. Gómez
One of Gomez' "Gilda" stories about a black vampire, although this one is more of a scene than a story, set in a place where even Gilda finds she can speak easily.
"Black No More" (excerpt) (1931) • short fiction by George S. Schuyler
"Separation Anxiety" (2000) • short story by Evie Shockley
Living in an "african american cultural conservation unit" isn't as idyllic as all that... but leaving isn't all that easy, either.
"Tasting Songs" (2000) • short story by Leone Ross
"Can You Wear My Eyes" (2000) • short story by Kalamu ya Salaam
In contrast to "Tasting Songs," this story is SF from the very first sentence:
"Like Daughter" (2000) • short story by Tananarive Due
"Greedy Choke Puppy" (2000) • short story by Nalo Hopkinson
And a heartbreak under the skin.
"Rhythm Travel" (1996) • short fiction by Amiri Baraka
Scarcely longer than a pop song, with one neat conceit. In and out in record time.
"Buddy Bolden" (1996) • short story by Kalamu ya Salaam
Builds on Baraka's thought, in a way:
"Aye, and Gomorrah ..." (1967) • short story by Samuel R. Delany
A new kind of human just means a new kind of kink—same as the old ones; same as in town.
"Ganger (Ball Lightning)" (2000) • short story by Nalo Hopkinson
Virtual body-swapping with real-world consequences; this one was explicit but unexpectedly tender.
"The Becoming" (2000) • short story by Akua Lezli Hope
An odd mix of past futures—I remember seeing the portmanteau term "Boswash" elsewhere, many years ago. This one features now-awkward slang that, frankly, doesn't hold up all that well, but then a surreal twist that does.
"The Goophered Grapevine" (1887) • short story by Charles W. Chesnutt
The oldest story in Dark Matter is verbose, to say the least... the phrase "wrapped us in cloistral solitude" (p.160) is exemplary. This folk tale is written in a nearly impenetrable dialect, which is only one reason why it's not an easy read.
"The Evening and the Morning and the Night" (1987) • novelette by Octavia E. Butler
Butler wrote science fiction of the first water, and this high-impact tale, carefully constructed, about an entirely plausible disorder, is one of her finest. Reminded me of something by Tiptree.
Afterword to "The Evening and the Morning and the Night)" (1996) • essay by Octavia E. Butler
Do read this too; it casts a lot of light on the story.
"Twice, at Once, Separated" (2000) • short story by Linda D. Addison
An African generation ship, its origins not lost (in contrast to many such stories) but rather carefully preserved.
"Gimmile's Songs" (1984) • short story by Charles R. Saunders
One of Saunders' "Dossouye" stories. I will never forget Karen G., a fan I met at a science-fiction convention in the 1980s who sent me a copy of Imaro, all the way from far-off Canada, that I still possess. This story is from that era, too, an enchanting fable of magic and battle on the banks of the Kambi River.
"At the Huts of Ajala" (2000) • short story by Nisi Shawl
How Loanna got two heads—and why.
"The Woman in the Wall" (2000) • novelette by Steven Barnes
A brutal story, set in a terrible place that—I hope, anyway—bears no relationship to reality. This one is probably the least comfortable read in Dark Matter.
"Ark of Bones" (1974) • short story by Henry Dumas
There is an ark, and the Mississippi rising—but I won't say more than that.
"Butta's Backyard Barbecue" (2000) • short fiction by Tony Medina
A snapshot rap battle, barely two pages long.
"Future Christmas" (excerpt from The Terrible Twos) (1982) • short fiction by Ishmael Reed
This excerpt spins a lot from a little, about Saint Nicholas' traditional accomplice, Black Peter.
"At Life's Limits" (2000) • novelette by Kiini Ibura Salaam
WaLiLa is a visitor from beyond, who comes to Cuba and learns more than she expected to. An engrossing story with some excellent turns of phrase, like this sentence:
"The African Origins of UFOs" (excerpt) (2000) • short fiction by Anthony Joseph
A brief but scintillating explosion of text.
"The Astral Visitor Delta Blues" (2000) • short story by Robert Fleming
"The Space Traders" (1992) • novelette by Derrick A. Bell
The Space Traders presented white America with a most devilish bargain, whose utterly predictable playing-out seems... hardly science-fictional at all. One of the most disturbing stories in Dark Matter, which has its share of disturbing fiction.
"The Pretended" (2000) • short story by Darryl A. Smith
A sequel—or, let's say, one possible consequence—after the Space Traders' departure, in which robots with black skin turn out to be no substitute—proxy—replacement for what whites were missing.
"Hussy Strutt" (2000) • short story by Ama Patterson
A bleak post-apocalyptic nightmare... I'm not sure I would have ended Dark Matter on this note. Fortunately, the book does not end here... Patterson's story is just the end of the fiction in this anthology.
"Racism and Science Fiction" (1998) • essay by Samuel R. Delany
Delany is by no means the first African-American SF writer (although he's been publishing SF since before I was born). In this essay he speaks about systemic racism, and about antecedents, and speaks kindly about (among others) Octavia Butler.
"Why Blacks Should Read (and Write) Science Fiction" (2000) • essay by Charles R. Saunders
Saunders' point is obvious, perhaps, but he makes it eloquently.
"Black to the Future" (1999) • essay by Walter Mosley
Mosley's succinct essay name-checks the Tom Swift, Jr. series that I found so formative as well.
"Yet Do I Wonder" (1994) • essay by Paul D. Miller
Perhaps better known as DJ Spooky, Miller touches on both Delany and Butler in this rhapsody in prose.
"The Monophobic Response" (1995) • essay by Octavia E. Butler
Dark Matter concludes with a brief and poignant meditation on how people invent aliens—and why—and what might happen if we actually met the Other some day.
Butler does not mention Delany.
*
Table of Contents adapted from the ISFDB, this time around.
I was right to pick up Dark Matter, too. The stories and essays in this book, their ebb and flow, how they were chosen and arranged, show that Thomas already had an assured curatorial hand, 'way back then in the fabled Year Why Too Kay. And one of the things that Dark Matter conveys most effectively is that black SF is nothing new—wasn't new in 2000, for that matter; it's been part of the genre, however unacknowledged, all along. Twenty years along and more, these stories have held their power, more than most speculative fiction ever has.
I should mention before diving in that these authors often use words that I, as a white guy, do not feel okay about repeating here. That should not put you off, though. Context is critical.
*
As is my wont, I have made brief notes on each of the pieces in this anthology:
"Introduction: Looking for the Invisible" (2000) • essay by Sheree Renée Thomas
Dark Matter is the perfect title for this book—and Thomas is perfectly aware of all its metaphorical gravity.
"Sister Lilith" (2000) • short story by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers
What in Creation? You know this story, I'm sure—but not from this angle.
"The Comet" (1920) • short story by W.E.B. Du Bois
Escaping the apocalypse, deep underground—this is quite possibly the earliest appearance of this trope in sf.
"Chicago 1927" (2000) • short story by Jewelle L. Gómez
One of Gomez' "Gilda" stories about a black vampire, although this one is more of a scene than a story, set in a place where even Gilda finds she can speak easily.
"Black No More" (excerpt) (1931) • short fiction by George S. Schuyler
"My sociology teacher had once said that there were but three ways for the Negro to solve his problem in America," he gestured with his long slender fingers. "To either get out, get white, or get along. Since he wouldn't and couldn't get out and was getting along only differently, it seemed to me that the only thing for him to do was get white."We do not see the consequences in this brief excerpt, though.
—p.36
"Separation Anxiety" (2000) • short story by Evie Shockley
Living in an "african american cultural conservation unit" isn't as idyllic as all that... but leaving isn't all that easy, either.
"Tasting Songs" (2000) • short story by Leone Ross
"How would you feel if I fucked someone else, Jerry?"The photographer learns about light and dark. There's nothing of fantasy in that, of course, but... just wait.
—p.71
"Can You Wear My Eyes" (2000) • short story by Kalamu ya Salaam
In contrast to "Tasting Songs," this story is SF from the very first sentence:
At first Reggie wearing my eyes after I expired was beautiful; a sensitive romantic gesture and an exhilarating experience.It's also similar to Ross' story, though, being a first-person narrative from a spouse talking about their relationship, and adultery. This is but one example of Thomas' skill at juxtaposition.
—p.86
"Like Daughter" (2000) • short story by Tananarive Due
That smile wasn't a real smile; it was a smile to hide behind.Raising a child is hard enough. You try not to make the same mistakes your parents made... but that often just means you make different ones.
—p.93
"Greedy Choke Puppy" (2000) • short story by Nalo Hopkinson
And a heartbreak under the skin.
"Rhythm Travel" (1996) • short fiction by Amiri Baraka
Scarcely longer than a pop song, with one neat conceit. In and out in record time.
"Buddy Bolden" (1996) • short story by Kalamu ya Salaam
Builds on Baraka's thought, in a way:
i got to earth shortly after 1947 started. people were still making music then. back in 1999 machines manufactured music. real singing was against the law.
—p.119
"Aye, and Gomorrah ..." (1967) • short story by Samuel R. Delany
A new kind of human just means a new kind of kink—same as the old ones; same as in town.
And went up.
—p.133
"Ganger (Ball Lightning)" (2000) • short story by Nalo Hopkinson
Virtual body-swapping with real-world consequences; this one was explicit but unexpectedly tender.
"The Becoming" (2000) • short story by Akua Lezli Hope
An odd mix of past futures—I remember seeing the portmanteau term "Boswash" elsewhere, many years ago. This one features now-awkward slang that, frankly, doesn't hold up all that well, but then a surreal twist that does.
"The Goophered Grapevine" (1887) • short story by Charles W. Chesnutt
The oldest story in Dark Matter is verbose, to say the least... the phrase "wrapped us in cloistral solitude" (p.160) is exemplary. This folk tale is written in a nearly impenetrable dialect, which is only one reason why it's not an easy read.
"The Evening and the Morning and the Night" (1987) • novelette by Octavia E. Butler
Butler wrote science fiction of the first water, and this high-impact tale, carefully constructed, about an entirely plausible disorder, is one of her finest. Reminded me of something by Tiptree.
Afterword to "The Evening and the Morning and the Night)" (1996) • essay by Octavia E. Butler
Do read this too; it casts a lot of light on the story.
"Twice, at Once, Separated" (2000) • short story by Linda D. Addison
An African generation ship, its origins not lost (in contrast to many such stories) but rather carefully preserved.
"Gimmile's Songs" (1984) • short story by Charles R. Saunders
One of Saunders' "Dossouye" stories. I will never forget Karen G., a fan I met at a science-fiction convention in the 1980s who sent me a copy of Imaro, all the way from far-off Canada, that I still possess. This story is from that era, too, an enchanting fable of magic and battle on the banks of the Kambi River.
"At the Huts of Ajala" (2000) • short story by Nisi Shawl
How Loanna got two heads—and why.
"The Woman in the Wall" (2000) • novelette by Steven Barnes
A brutal story, set in a terrible place that—I hope, anyway—bears no relationship to reality. This one is probably the least comfortable read in Dark Matter.
"Ark of Bones" (1974) • short story by Henry Dumas
There is an ark, and the Mississippi rising—but I won't say more than that.
"Butta's Backyard Barbecue" (2000) • short fiction by Tony Medina
A snapshot rap battle, barely two pages long.
"Future Christmas" (excerpt from The Terrible Twos) (1982) • short fiction by Ishmael Reed
This excerpt spins a lot from a little, about Saint Nicholas' traditional accomplice, Black Peter.
"At Life's Limits" (2000) • novelette by Kiini Ibura Salaam
WaLiLa is a visitor from beyond, who comes to Cuba and learns more than she expected to. An engrossing story with some excellent turns of phrase, like this sentence:
They all sing along, glowing in the space made light by their gathered hearts.
—p.305
"The African Origins of UFOs" (excerpt) (2000) • short fiction by Anthony Joseph
A brief but scintillating explosion of text.
"The Astral Visitor Delta Blues" (2000) • short story by Robert Fleming
Tonight he was going to raise hell and worry about heaven tomorrow.But Frank Boles found out that he was the one being done to...
—p.319
"The Space Traders" (1992) • novelette by Derrick A. Bell
The Space Traders presented white America with a most devilish bargain, whose utterly predictable playing-out seems... hardly science-fictional at all. One of the most disturbing stories in Dark Matter, which has its share of disturbing fiction.
"The Pretended" (2000) • short story by Darryl A. Smith
A sequel—or, let's say, one possible consequence—after the Space Traders' departure, in which robots with black skin turn out to be no substitute—proxy—replacement for what whites were missing.
"Hussy Strutt" (2000) • short story by Ama Patterson
A bleak post-apocalyptic nightmare... I'm not sure I would have ended Dark Matter on this note. Fortunately, the book does not end here... Patterson's story is just the end of the fiction in this anthology.
"Racism and Science Fiction" (1998) • essay by Samuel R. Delany
Delany is by no means the first African-American SF writer (although he's been publishing SF since before I was born). In this essay he speaks about systemic racism, and about antecedents, and speaks kindly about (among others) Octavia Butler.
A lesson about reading here: Do your share, and you can save yourself and others a lot of embarrassment.
—p.391
"Why Blacks Should Read (and Write) Science Fiction" (2000) • essay by Charles R. Saunders
Saunders' point is obvious, perhaps, but he makes it eloquently.
"Black to the Future" (1999) • essay by Walter Mosley
Mosley's succinct essay name-checks the Tom Swift, Jr. series that I found so formative as well.
We make up, then make real.He's inspirational and prescient as well; in the next paragraph, Mosley notes,
—p.405
Through science fiction you can have a black president, a black world, or simply a say in the way things are.
—p.406
"Yet Do I Wonder" (1994) • essay by Paul D. Miller
Perhaps better known as DJ Spooky, Miller touches on both Delany and Butler in this rhapsody in prose.
"The Monophobic Response" (1995) • essay by Octavia E. Butler
Dark Matter concludes with a brief and poignant meditation on how people invent aliens—and why—and what might happen if we actually met the Other some day.
Butler does not mention Delany.
*
Table of Contents adapted from the ISFDB, this time around.
September 10, 2007
"Why don't they make white robots?" is the question posed by the lyrical and tragic story The Pretended by Darryl A. Smith, one of the best stories collected in Dark Matter. It works on all levels: black themes, black author, using a future setting to say something related to the present, etc. I love this story. Unfortunately, not all the other stories are equally at home in the collection.
Some, like Gimmile's Songs by Charles R. Saunders are good science fiction of their type, but use African themes merely as a kind of exotic setting. Other stories are heavily into African identity projected into the future or the supernatural but they aren't otherwise the best representatives of their genre. Some aren't stories at all, they are excerpts from novels which intrigue, but don't hold their own as short fiction. No less than three stories feature time/space travel by means of rhythm, which makes me wonder about the difference between stereotype and cliche.
The earliest story in the book (1887) is a surprise and delight. I had no idea W. E. B. Du Bois wrote what we'd now call science fiction! Despite the inclusion of his excellent story, people who, like me, are interested in early speculative fiction, will be disappointed. Seventeen of the collected stories are from 2000, which is not what I expected from "a century of speculative fiction." The scope of the collection is further limited by having some contemporary authors contribute more than one story.
Still, there are some gems here: Fans of the lesbian vampire novel The Gilda Stories will be pleased to see a new Gilda story here. Evie Shockley offers insights into one reason human cloning holds a perhaps irresistible fascination for people who didn't get life right the first time. There are stories by genre giants Samuel R. Delany and Octavia E. Butler, which are gateways to great science fiction for people who picked up the book for the African angle. There are also some great essays by black science fiction authors about the role race plays in their writing or in the science fiction community.
My overall impression, however, is of a confused and lazy anthology that would have benefited from a broader scope and introductory essays to help connect the stories to the stated theme of the collection.
Some, like Gimmile's Songs by Charles R. Saunders are good science fiction of their type, but use African themes merely as a kind of exotic setting. Other stories are heavily into African identity projected into the future or the supernatural but they aren't otherwise the best representatives of their genre. Some aren't stories at all, they are excerpts from novels which intrigue, but don't hold their own as short fiction. No less than three stories feature time/space travel by means of rhythm, which makes me wonder about the difference between stereotype and cliche.
The earliest story in the book (1887) is a surprise and delight. I had no idea W. E. B. Du Bois wrote what we'd now call science fiction! Despite the inclusion of his excellent story, people who, like me, are interested in early speculative fiction, will be disappointed. Seventeen of the collected stories are from 2000, which is not what I expected from "a century of speculative fiction." The scope of the collection is further limited by having some contemporary authors contribute more than one story.
Still, there are some gems here: Fans of the lesbian vampire novel The Gilda Stories will be pleased to see a new Gilda story here. Evie Shockley offers insights into one reason human cloning holds a perhaps irresistible fascination for people who didn't get life right the first time. There are stories by genre giants Samuel R. Delany and Octavia E. Butler, which are gateways to great science fiction for people who picked up the book for the African angle. There are also some great essays by black science fiction authors about the role race plays in their writing or in the science fiction community.
My overall impression, however, is of a confused and lazy anthology that would have benefited from a broader scope and introductory essays to help connect the stories to the stated theme of the collection.
March 3, 2016
dark' mat''er - n: a nonluminous form of matter which has not been directly observed but whose existence has been deduced by its gravitational effects.
The above citation from NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab glossary is referenced in the Introduction of this captivating anthology, to great effect. Indeed, the contributions of black writers to the field of speculative fiction has often been overlooked, even dismissed, whereas this collection is a testament to their presence, their influence, and to their historical contributions that all SF fans should be aware of, regardless of racial background.
In this amazing collection of Black speculative fiction, roughly half are stories by "contemporary" authors (published 2001, the copyright dates on those stories are 2000), while the other half are an historical review of stories from as early as 1887. To me the title implied more stories from earlier years, but the modern entries are all so strong and diverse, it seems the editor just couldn't say no after receiving all the submissions.
The collection is perfect for someone like me, who a) is naive about and would like to know more about the rich history of authors from the African diaspora in science fiction and fantasy, and b) wants an A-list of authors to try who are currently active in the field.
I've given this collection 5 stars, not because every story was 5 stars (they weren't) but because it is such an amazingly strong collection, and because it has such historical and cultural relevance. It has the occasional lull and "what??" moments, but overall I would say this is one of the most consistently interesting and meaningful collections of stories I have ever read.
I've listed all of the titles and authors in case you want to follow up on any of them, and it was an easy way to post quick reviews of each story. The main body of the book contains 29 fictional short stories/novel excerpts, and five non-fiction essays are included at the end of the book. There is a second collection, Dark Matter: Reading the Bones, published 4 years after this one, though it is a more modern anthology and only has five historical stories.
Entries in the order they appear in the book
Fiction:
Sister Lilith (2000) by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers (5 stars) - Great retelling of the Adam/Eve creation story, with a lot of poignant commentary on race and male/female relationships.
The Comet (1920) by W.E.B. Du Bois (4 stars) - This should totally be 5 stars; not only is this a story of historical significance (who knew W.E.B. DuBois wrote science fiction?) but the scenario offers excruciating insight into race relations and what it means to be human. Unfortunately, I thought the last 5 sentences of the story changed the tone and implications of the previous succession of events and insights, in a way that diluted the message. Others may not feel this way (short story endings are a very subjective experience) but it spoiled the overall effect for me. It is still highly recommended reading: probably worth buying the book just for the historical significance of this one!
Chicago 1927 (2000) by Jewelle L. Gomez (4 stars) - I loved the storyline and atmosphere of this one, clever interplay of history and mythology. I stumbled a bit on the writing style, and I thought the last minute exposition at the end could have been handled better, but otherwise a wonderful experience. I plan to read The Gilda Stories, a whole collection of stories about this character.
Excerpt from Black No More (1931) by George S. Schuyler (5 stars) - Whimsical, edgy exposition on the potentialities of becoming "white", told from a kind of "man on the street" perspective. Reminds me of Eddie Murphy's skit on the subject. 5 stars for the excerpt, because it hits on so many poignant aspects so quickly and efficiently, with an engaging conversational prose. The final line is so haunting as a short story endpoint, it makes me wonder if some of that effect will be lost in the book. Still, I'm interested to see what other aspects the book explores, and I'm amazed I'd never heard of it before now.
separation anxiety (2000) by Evie Shockley (3 stars) - Good writing and characterization, but the world-building was not quite believable: separate but equal doesn't seem like something that people of color would be fighting for given historical precedent. And I didn't really like the way her brother handled things.
Tasting Songs (2000) by Leone Ross (4 stars) - I'm not a big fan of stories about infidelity, but this one has enough surprises and emotional reflection to make up for it. The "speculative" nature is not as pronounced as other stories, (it seemed like ordinary literary fiction for at least the first half) but it seems to meet the definition in an unusual way.
Can You Wear My Eyes (2000) by Kalamu ya Salaam (4 stars) - Spooky and short, it loses a little steam by trying to cover so many issues, but it is a haunting idea about getting some "perspective".
Like Daughter (2000) by Tananarive Due (4 stars) - A spooky, philosophical tale rich in character development. A little confusing because it is presented in a mysterious, keep-you-guessing format, but the ramifications of the situation reverberate long after the story concludes. This one, like Tasting Songs, doesn't really get to the speculative element until near the end.
Greedy Choke Puppy (2000) by Nalo Hopkinson (5 stars) - Haunting from the get go, this one is much darker, almost horror, than previous entries, and has a worthy, poignant ending. The Creole diction and cadence peppered throughout creates a hypnotic rhythm that flavors the story.
Rhythm Travel (1996) by Amiri Baraka (5 stars) - Fun, free-floating little interlude with amazing wordplay ("Ellisonic", "Dis Report on Appearance") and some interesting ideas. Some of the references definitely went over my head.
Buddy Bolden (1996) by Kalamu ya Salaam (5 stars) - Wow, so beautiful I cried. And the writing was so sumptuous I could taste the words. Slight dependency on the female form as a stand-in for sexual ecstacy, but the high-minded ideas here more than make up for it.
Aye, and Gomorrah (1968) by Samuel R. Delany (3 stars) - An interesting world/idea, but the overall impression I got from this tale was of intolerance, which was not appealing, and not representative of why I read sci-fi. At one point he lumps homosexuality in with sexual fetishes, so I don't know if it dates the book or is a reflection of the author's sensibilities.
Ganger (Ball Lightining) (2000) by Nalo Hopkinson (5 stars) - Wow, creepy, sensual, what-the-f*ck! Seems like Hopkinson may be an author to avoid late at night! But I'm definitely a fan.
The Becoming (2000) by Akua Lezli Hope (4 stars) - Very short and efficient; great world-building considering the brevity - I especially loved the realistic slang. Had to take a point off because I did not understand Jason's role in the story, the mystery strayed too far into confusion by the end. But the punchline is great, especially if you've never read the concept before. A later short story by a different author developed this idea further, but it's a spoiler for this story so read at your own risk ()
The Goophered Grapevine (1887) by Charles W. Chestnutt (4 stars) - Somewhat anticlimactic ending, but a great atmospheric tale, with some fun imagery. Particularly interesting for its historical value, as it is written two decades after and makes reference to the Civil War. Much of the narration uses the vernacular of Blacks in the South at the time, which makes it slightly difficult to read, but adds a bit of realism. Also interesting is that it is told from the perspective of a white man, even though the author is Black. Evidently he received a rare acclaim in his day from the white community, and much seemed to be made of the fact of his mixed heritage, and how he could "pass" for white.
The Evening And The Morning And The Night (1987) by Octavia E. Butler (5 stars) - I'm always enthralled by the ethical and philosophical pondering in Ms. Butler's work, and this one is no exception. It has a bit of flavor of Beggars in Spain (or the reverse, since this was written first), and I would have been interested in staying longer in this world.
Twice, at Once, Separated (2000) by Linda Addison (5 stars) - Beautiful story where, surprisingly, I didn't mind the combination of science fiction with fantasy and thought it worked to enhance both. Nice coming of age tale and left me wanting to know more about this world. I was so caught up in the mystery that I almost didn't realize what a female-empowering story it is.
Gimmile's Songs (1984) by Charles R. Saunders (3 stars) - This is a tough one. The writing and storyline for the most part was a solid 4 stars. But I'm inclined to give it 2 stars because of its horrible rape apologist message. () Disappointing because otherwise it is a strong story with a competent and independent woman protagonist.
At the Huts of Ajala (1996) by Nisi Shawl (3 stars) - The writing is great, and the story engaging, but not much happens in this short parable and I think it would work better as a preface to a more interesting novel. Will look for more from this author, though.
The Woman in the Wall (2000) by Steven Barnes (5 stars) - This is almost straight literary fiction, with only a vague speculative twist in the nature of the camps where the story takes place. So 5 stars for the story, but maybe 2 stars to the editor for its inclusion in this collection. I thought I was going to hate this one because the topic is so depressing, but the events construed to create a very moving commentary on relationships, ethics, and sacrifice.
Ark of Bones (1974) by Henry Dumas (4 stars) - Not quite clear what is going on here, but the writing is lyrical and the symbolism feels weighty: you don't even have to "get it" to get it.
Butta's Backyard Barbecue (2000) by Tony Medina (4 stars) - Brief but vibrant mixtape of music and art related references, with bits of humor, all at a backyard barbecue.
Future Christmas (1982) by Ishmael Reed (3 stars) - Hmm, seems like it is posing some interesting ideas here, but I found it a bit hard to follow. This is an excerpt from The Terrible Twos, and it definitely did not work as a short story the way the earlier excerpt from Black No More did.
At Life's Limits (2000) by Kiini Ibura Salaam (4 stars) - Took me a minute to get into it but this was fantastical and compelling. I really wanted to know more about this world, and I only took off a star because I was left with too many questions. Very memorable.
Excerpt from The African Origins of UFOs (2000) by Anthony Joseph (3 stars) - This was a tough one, because it is clear there is literary genius going on here - there are more ideas and allusions presented in six sentences than some books have in six chapters, but it is not entirely comprehensible. I'm not sure if that is me, the author, or the fact that this is an excerpt. Probably a bit of all three. I can see why it needs to be in the collection, but wow I found it hard to absorb.
The Astral Visitor Delta Blues (2000) by Robert Fleming (4 stars) - Nice Twilight Zone moment captured here. I was actually most impressed by how well the author conveyed the environment at the bar, but the contrast with the SF piece was stirring, too.
The Space Traders (1992) by Derrick Bell (5 stars) - Holy Mother of !! What an amazing piece. Probably 10 stars. This shows completely the potential of what SF can do when applied to questions of the African diaspora. Very typical sci-fi presentation, and yet not typical at all.
The Pretended (2000) by Darryl A. Smith - (5 stars) - Wow, they are clearly saving the most profound pieces for the end. This one was amazing. Another 10 stars. And that ending. Wow.
Hussy Strutt (2000) by Ama Patterson (4 stars) - This is clearly a great writer, and the atmosphere she has created here is nightmarish and visceral. There is no info dump; instead the story gradually brings you into the center of things. The problem is, we never quite got there and I couldn't figure out what the situation actually was, and I have no idea what happened at the end.
Non-Fiction:
Racism and Science Fiction (1999) by Samuel R. Delany (4 stars) - Very insightful and accessible discussion of race/racism from the person often described as "the first African-American science fiction writer", a label he treats with irony. The everyday examples may (or may not) help people understand the difficulties of trying to get beyond race as a writer of color in any genre.
Why Blacks Should Read (and Write) Science Fiction (2000) by Charles R. Saunders (3 stars) - There is some nice name-dropping here, for Black authors to follow up on, but the essay seemed to meander quite a bit, and he seemed to randomly focus on specific items with no smooth connections between them.
Black to the Future (2000) by Walter Mosley (4 stars) - There is not much of a chance to develop his ideas here, as the essay is only 3 pages, but he made some important connections between imagination and breaking barriers, and the last paragraph is sublime.
Yet Do I Wonder (1994) by Paul D. Miller (3 stars) - Very poetic and at times enlightening, but his metaphors were too much for my comprehension much of the time. Still, I'm glad I got to that last paragraph where he compares "flava" to Arrakis spice!
The Monophobic Response (1995) by Octavia E. Butler (5 stars) - Just two pages, but a very poignant and effective look at the meaning of alienness. Actually made me tear up more than once; what a loss her death was.
Contributors (4 stars) - This section gave details on the authors, their backgrounds, and some of their works. I found it immensely helpful and referred to it many times while making my way through the collection. It helped cement the names into my memory, and see the connections and other possibilities for future reading.
The above citation from NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab glossary is referenced in the Introduction of this captivating anthology, to great effect. Indeed, the contributions of black writers to the field of speculative fiction has often been overlooked, even dismissed, whereas this collection is a testament to their presence, their influence, and to their historical contributions that all SF fans should be aware of, regardless of racial background.
In this amazing collection of Black speculative fiction, roughly half are stories by "contemporary" authors (published 2001, the copyright dates on those stories are 2000), while the other half are an historical review of stories from as early as 1887. To me the title implied more stories from earlier years, but the modern entries are all so strong and diverse, it seems the editor just couldn't say no after receiving all the submissions.
The collection is perfect for someone like me, who a) is naive about and would like to know more about the rich history of authors from the African diaspora in science fiction and fantasy, and b) wants an A-list of authors to try who are currently active in the field.
I've given this collection 5 stars, not because every story was 5 stars (they weren't) but because it is such an amazingly strong collection, and because it has such historical and cultural relevance. It has the occasional lull and "what??" moments, but overall I would say this is one of the most consistently interesting and meaningful collections of stories I have ever read.
I've listed all of the titles and authors in case you want to follow up on any of them, and it was an easy way to post quick reviews of each story. The main body of the book contains 29 fictional short stories/novel excerpts, and five non-fiction essays are included at the end of the book. There is a second collection, Dark Matter: Reading the Bones, published 4 years after this one, though it is a more modern anthology and only has five historical stories.
Entries in the order they appear in the book
Fiction:
Sister Lilith (2000) by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers (5 stars) - Great retelling of the Adam/Eve creation story, with a lot of poignant commentary on race and male/female relationships.
The Comet (1920) by W.E.B. Du Bois (4 stars) - This should totally be 5 stars; not only is this a story of historical significance (who knew W.E.B. DuBois wrote science fiction?) but the scenario offers excruciating insight into race relations and what it means to be human. Unfortunately, I thought the last 5 sentences of the story changed the tone and implications of the previous succession of events and insights, in a way that diluted the message. Others may not feel this way (short story endings are a very subjective experience) but it spoiled the overall effect for me. It is still highly recommended reading: probably worth buying the book just for the historical significance of this one!
Chicago 1927 (2000) by Jewelle L. Gomez (4 stars) - I loved the storyline and atmosphere of this one, clever interplay of history and mythology. I stumbled a bit on the writing style, and I thought the last minute exposition at the end could have been handled better, but otherwise a wonderful experience. I plan to read The Gilda Stories, a whole collection of stories about this character.
Excerpt from Black No More (1931) by George S. Schuyler (5 stars) - Whimsical, edgy exposition on the potentialities of becoming "white", told from a kind of "man on the street" perspective. Reminds me of Eddie Murphy's skit on the subject. 5 stars for the excerpt, because it hits on so many poignant aspects so quickly and efficiently, with an engaging conversational prose. The final line is so haunting as a short story endpoint, it makes me wonder if some of that effect will be lost in the book. Still, I'm interested to see what other aspects the book explores, and I'm amazed I'd never heard of it before now.
separation anxiety (2000) by Evie Shockley (3 stars) - Good writing and characterization, but the world-building was not quite believable: separate but equal doesn't seem like something that people of color would be fighting for given historical precedent. And I didn't really like the way her brother handled things.
Tasting Songs (2000) by Leone Ross (4 stars) - I'm not a big fan of stories about infidelity, but this one has enough surprises and emotional reflection to make up for it. The "speculative" nature is not as pronounced as other stories, (it seemed like ordinary literary fiction for at least the first half) but it seems to meet the definition in an unusual way.
Can You Wear My Eyes (2000) by Kalamu ya Salaam (4 stars) - Spooky and short, it loses a little steam by trying to cover so many issues, but it is a haunting idea about getting some "perspective".
Like Daughter (2000) by Tananarive Due (4 stars) - A spooky, philosophical tale rich in character development. A little confusing because it is presented in a mysterious, keep-you-guessing format, but the ramifications of the situation reverberate long after the story concludes. This one, like Tasting Songs, doesn't really get to the speculative element until near the end.
Greedy Choke Puppy (2000) by Nalo Hopkinson (5 stars) - Haunting from the get go, this one is much darker, almost horror, than previous entries, and has a worthy, poignant ending. The Creole diction and cadence peppered throughout creates a hypnotic rhythm that flavors the story.
Rhythm Travel (1996) by Amiri Baraka (5 stars) - Fun, free-floating little interlude with amazing wordplay ("Ellisonic", "Dis Report on Appearance") and some interesting ideas. Some of the references definitely went over my head.
Buddy Bolden (1996) by Kalamu ya Salaam (5 stars) - Wow, so beautiful I cried. And the writing was so sumptuous I could taste the words. Slight dependency on the female form as a stand-in for sexual ecstacy, but the high-minded ideas here more than make up for it.
Aye, and Gomorrah (1968) by Samuel R. Delany (3 stars) - An interesting world/idea, but the overall impression I got from this tale was of intolerance, which was not appealing, and not representative of why I read sci-fi. At one point he lumps homosexuality in with sexual fetishes, so I don't know if it dates the book or is a reflection of the author's sensibilities.
Ganger (Ball Lightining) (2000) by Nalo Hopkinson (5 stars) - Wow, creepy, sensual, what-the-f*ck! Seems like Hopkinson may be an author to avoid late at night! But I'm definitely a fan.
The Becoming (2000) by Akua Lezli Hope (4 stars) - Very short and efficient; great world-building considering the brevity - I especially loved the realistic slang. Had to take a point off because I did not understand Jason's role in the story, the mystery strayed too far into confusion by the end. But the punchline is great, especially if you've never read the concept before. A later short story by a different author developed this idea further, but it's a spoiler for this story so read at your own risk ()
The Goophered Grapevine (1887) by Charles W. Chestnutt (4 stars) - Somewhat anticlimactic ending, but a great atmospheric tale, with some fun imagery. Particularly interesting for its historical value, as it is written two decades after and makes reference to the Civil War. Much of the narration uses the vernacular of Blacks in the South at the time, which makes it slightly difficult to read, but adds a bit of realism. Also interesting is that it is told from the perspective of a white man, even though the author is Black. Evidently he received a rare acclaim in his day from the white community, and much seemed to be made of the fact of his mixed heritage, and how he could "pass" for white.
The Evening And The Morning And The Night (1987) by Octavia E. Butler (5 stars) - I'm always enthralled by the ethical and philosophical pondering in Ms. Butler's work, and this one is no exception. It has a bit of flavor of Beggars in Spain (or the reverse, since this was written first), and I would have been interested in staying longer in this world.
Twice, at Once, Separated (2000) by Linda Addison (5 stars) - Beautiful story where, surprisingly, I didn't mind the combination of science fiction with fantasy and thought it worked to enhance both. Nice coming of age tale and left me wanting to know more about this world. I was so caught up in the mystery that I almost didn't realize what a female-empowering story it is.
Gimmile's Songs (1984) by Charles R. Saunders (3 stars) - This is a tough one. The writing and storyline for the most part was a solid 4 stars. But I'm inclined to give it 2 stars because of its horrible rape apologist message. () Disappointing because otherwise it is a strong story with a competent and independent woman protagonist.
At the Huts of Ajala (1996) by Nisi Shawl (3 stars) - The writing is great, and the story engaging, but not much happens in this short parable and I think it would work better as a preface to a more interesting novel. Will look for more from this author, though.
The Woman in the Wall (2000) by Steven Barnes (5 stars) - This is almost straight literary fiction, with only a vague speculative twist in the nature of the camps where the story takes place. So 5 stars for the story, but maybe 2 stars to the editor for its inclusion in this collection. I thought I was going to hate this one because the topic is so depressing, but the events construed to create a very moving commentary on relationships, ethics, and sacrifice.
Ark of Bones (1974) by Henry Dumas (4 stars) - Not quite clear what is going on here, but the writing is lyrical and the symbolism feels weighty: you don't even have to "get it" to get it.
Butta's Backyard Barbecue (2000) by Tony Medina (4 stars) - Brief but vibrant mixtape of music and art related references, with bits of humor, all at a backyard barbecue.
Future Christmas (1982) by Ishmael Reed (3 stars) - Hmm, seems like it is posing some interesting ideas here, but I found it a bit hard to follow. This is an excerpt from The Terrible Twos, and it definitely did not work as a short story the way the earlier excerpt from Black No More did.
At Life's Limits (2000) by Kiini Ibura Salaam (4 stars) - Took me a minute to get into it but this was fantastical and compelling. I really wanted to know more about this world, and I only took off a star because I was left with too many questions. Very memorable.
Excerpt from The African Origins of UFOs (2000) by Anthony Joseph (3 stars) - This was a tough one, because it is clear there is literary genius going on here - there are more ideas and allusions presented in six sentences than some books have in six chapters, but it is not entirely comprehensible. I'm not sure if that is me, the author, or the fact that this is an excerpt. Probably a bit of all three. I can see why it needs to be in the collection, but wow I found it hard to absorb.
The Astral Visitor Delta Blues (2000) by Robert Fleming (4 stars) - Nice Twilight Zone moment captured here. I was actually most impressed by how well the author conveyed the environment at the bar, but the contrast with the SF piece was stirring, too.
The Space Traders (1992) by Derrick Bell (5 stars) - Holy Mother of !! What an amazing piece. Probably 10 stars. This shows completely the potential of what SF can do when applied to questions of the African diaspora. Very typical sci-fi presentation, and yet not typical at all.
The Pretended (2000) by Darryl A. Smith - (5 stars) - Wow, they are clearly saving the most profound pieces for the end. This one was amazing. Another 10 stars. And that ending. Wow.
Hussy Strutt (2000) by Ama Patterson (4 stars) - This is clearly a great writer, and the atmosphere she has created here is nightmarish and visceral. There is no info dump; instead the story gradually brings you into the center of things. The problem is, we never quite got there and I couldn't figure out what the situation actually was, and I have no idea what happened at the end.
Non-Fiction:
Racism and Science Fiction (1999) by Samuel R. Delany (4 stars) - Very insightful and accessible discussion of race/racism from the person often described as "the first African-American science fiction writer", a label he treats with irony. The everyday examples may (or may not) help people understand the difficulties of trying to get beyond race as a writer of color in any genre.
Why Blacks Should Read (and Write) Science Fiction (2000) by Charles R. Saunders (3 stars) - There is some nice name-dropping here, for Black authors to follow up on, but the essay seemed to meander quite a bit, and he seemed to randomly focus on specific items with no smooth connections between them.
Black to the Future (2000) by Walter Mosley (4 stars) - There is not much of a chance to develop his ideas here, as the essay is only 3 pages, but he made some important connections between imagination and breaking barriers, and the last paragraph is sublime.
Yet Do I Wonder (1994) by Paul D. Miller (3 stars) - Very poetic and at times enlightening, but his metaphors were too much for my comprehension much of the time. Still, I'm glad I got to that last paragraph where he compares "flava" to Arrakis spice!
The Monophobic Response (1995) by Octavia E. Butler (5 stars) - Just two pages, but a very poignant and effective look at the meaning of alienness. Actually made me tear up more than once; what a loss her death was.
Contributors (4 stars) - This section gave details on the authors, their backgrounds, and some of their works. I found it immensely helpful and referred to it many times while making my way through the collection. It helped cement the names into my memory, and see the connections and other possibilities for future reading.
August 28, 2020
29 fictional stories and 5 essays. I mostly enjoyed them. There were a few I couldn't understand but that's because they were heavy on AAVE and i'm white. But I truly did enjoy most of the stories and loved several of them! I'm glad I read it.
April 20, 2021
Great collection covering different styles and time periods. I skipped one or two where the historical dialect was too dense for me (Goophered Grapevine) but enjoyed nearly all of them.
My top five picks were:
1. The Evening and the Morning and the Night - Octavia E. Butler
2. Ganger (Ball Lightning) - Nalo Hopkinson
3. The Space Traders - Derrick Bell
4. Gimmile's Songs - Charles R. Saunders
5. Ark of Bones - Henry Dumas
It was really hard to limit it to 5. I also really loved "Like Daughter" by Tananarive Due but I had read it before in her own collection. I also really enjoyed the very dark "The Woman in the Wall" by Steven Barnes but it seemed nearly realistic rather than speculative.
My top five picks were:
1. The Evening and the Morning and the Night - Octavia E. Butler
2. Ganger (Ball Lightning) - Nalo Hopkinson
3. The Space Traders - Derrick Bell
4. Gimmile's Songs - Charles R. Saunders
5. Ark of Bones - Henry Dumas
It was really hard to limit it to 5. I also really loved "Like Daughter" by Tananarive Due but I had read it before in her own collection. I also really enjoyed the very dark "The Woman in the Wall" by Steven Barnes but it seemed nearly realistic rather than speculative.
January 10, 2022
Exceptional anthology. There were only a few stories that failed to grab me. Highly recommend.
May 28, 2012
I'm awfully lated to this party - Dark Matter was released in 2000 - but better late than never, right?
Sheree Thomas did a commendable job picking stories and authors for the collection. One of my favorite gems was the opening chapter or two from a book written in the 30s about one of the first patients for a new medical procedure to turn black people into white people. The only really totally missed note for me was the story by Steven Barnes, and I suspect that's because I just don't very much like to read the things that he likes to write. Other than that, I was reacquainted with some old favorites and introduced to some phenomenal new-to-me writers. I'd recommend the book without any reservation.
Sheree Thomas did a commendable job picking stories and authors for the collection. One of my favorite gems was the opening chapter or two from a book written in the 30s about one of the first patients for a new medical procedure to turn black people into white people. The only really totally missed note for me was the story by Steven Barnes, and I suspect that's because I just don't very much like to read the things that he likes to write. Other than that, I was reacquainted with some old favorites and introduced to some phenomenal new-to-me writers. I'd recommend the book without any reservation.
Read
September 22, 2020I’m not going to finish this, the writing style was not to my taste.
June 12, 2022
Dark Matter: A Century of Speculative Fiction from the African Diaspora is an adeptly selected collection that's more than the sum of its parts. It contains speculative African-American fiction written between 1887 and 2000 and five essays by well-known black sci-fi writers reflecting upon the genre. The stories include supernatural, fantasy, sci-fi, fable, and apocalyptic elements. Although a couple are joyful in style, there are no utopias and many are tragic and chilling. Settings range from historical to futuristic, yet all the stories implicitly or explicitly reflect thoughtfully upon race and racism at the time when they were written. There are a number of horrifying thought experiments: what if aliens offered to trade advanced technologies for the entire black population of the USA? What if robots were built to replace black people? What if ethnicities were strictly segregated in the name of cultural preservation? All the stories were new to me, although I knew some of the writers from their novels: Octavia E. Butler, Samuel R. Delany, Nisi Shawl, Jewelle Gomez, and Nalo Hopkinson.
It's very difficult to assemble a multi-author short story collection that feels fully coherent to read, so that the stories together compose a dialogue. Nearly all such collections have at least one story that seems out of place or of lower quality. None do in this collection - the editing by Sheree R. Thomas is really impressive. The inclusion of essays at the end is also an excellent choice, as this contextualises the writers' experience. It would be interesting to discover what has and hasn't changed in the 22 years since. I hope that more black speculative writers are getting published, but have no doubt that the genre is still overwhelmingly white.
Although the stories all fit together very well, there are four that I found particularly memorable. The first is Octavia Butler's 'The Evening and the Morning and the Night' as the medical world-building is so clever and deft. Steven Barnes' 'The Woman in the Wall' is the most haunting story in the book, set in a prison camp with very little in the way of fantastical elements. 'Chicago 1927' is wonderfully atmospheric and reminded me of how much I enjoyed The Gilda Stories. Finally, 'The Space Traders' by Derrick Bell is mercilessly laconic in its depiction of white America's willingness to sell black Americans straight back into slavery. Although Dark Matter: A Century of Speculative Fiction from the African Diaspora is often bleak to read, it's insightful, multifaceted, and very rewarding. The title refers to a hidden history of speculative fiction, which it elucidates in compelling polyphonic style.
It's very difficult to assemble a multi-author short story collection that feels fully coherent to read, so that the stories together compose a dialogue. Nearly all such collections have at least one story that seems out of place or of lower quality. None do in this collection - the editing by Sheree R. Thomas is really impressive. The inclusion of essays at the end is also an excellent choice, as this contextualises the writers' experience. It would be interesting to discover what has and hasn't changed in the 22 years since. I hope that more black speculative writers are getting published, but have no doubt that the genre is still overwhelmingly white.
Although the stories all fit together very well, there are four that I found particularly memorable. The first is Octavia Butler's 'The Evening and the Morning and the Night' as the medical world-building is so clever and deft. Steven Barnes' 'The Woman in the Wall' is the most haunting story in the book, set in a prison camp with very little in the way of fantastical elements. 'Chicago 1927' is wonderfully atmospheric and reminded me of how much I enjoyed The Gilda Stories. Finally, 'The Space Traders' by Derrick Bell is mercilessly laconic in its depiction of white America's willingness to sell black Americans straight back into slavery. Although Dark Matter: A Century of Speculative Fiction from the African Diaspora is often bleak to read, it's insightful, multifaceted, and very rewarding. The title refers to a hidden history of speculative fiction, which it elucidates in compelling polyphonic style.
December 17, 2020
It's hard to rate such a wide variety of stories, especially encompassing so many different authors and time periods. A handful of these authors are names I know, but most were new to me. These stories fall into a few categories: Standard sci-fi and fantasy world-building tales which ranged from fairly enjoyable to stunning, myth/folktale retellings which were generally well-written but not really to my taste, and some near-future or urban fantasy pieces that tended toward a more experimental style that didn't really work for me, especially in the context of an anthology like this where I had to try to get my head in and out of that space.
Overall, I did appreciate the breadth of content that was gathered for this anthology, and the few pieces that stuck out really shone. I can highly recommend Tananarive Due's "Like Daughter", Samuel Delany's "Aye, and Gamorrah...", Nalo Hopkinson's "Ganger (Ball Lightning)" Octavia Butler's "The Evening and the Morning and the Night", and Steven Barnes' "The Woman in the Wall". The essays at the end concerning the history and the state of Black SFF of the time were interesting as well, in the context of what we are seeing in the genre today, and I found Octavia Butler's essay on how we create and perceive aliens especially resonant.
Overall, I did appreciate the breadth of content that was gathered for this anthology, and the few pieces that stuck out really shone. I can highly recommend Tananarive Due's "Like Daughter", Samuel Delany's "Aye, and Gamorrah...", Nalo Hopkinson's "Ganger (Ball Lightning)" Octavia Butler's "The Evening and the Morning and the Night", and Steven Barnes' "The Woman in the Wall". The essays at the end concerning the history and the state of Black SFF of the time were interesting as well, in the context of what we are seeing in the genre today, and I found Octavia Butler's essay on how we create and perceive aliens especially resonant.
September 10, 2024
Read for my short story book club, which does four stories every other week. There are stories in here that I adore . . . but they're all by authors I was already familiar with (Butler, Delany, Hopkinson, Due), frequently stories that I've read multiple times before. The only new-to-me author whose work truly struck me as something I would seek out more of was Evie Shockley. Still, one new author is nothing to sneeze at, and the collection as a whole made for interesting discussion about the state of science fiction a quarter of a century past. Onward to volume two.
November 28, 2017
I read about half of the stories and decided to not continue. While there are some interesting ideas in the stories, they are not well presented. The writing is quite confusing most of the time. You feel like you were thrown into the middle of a novel with no context. The stories do cover a variety of topics but I think the stories were chosen by categories vs quality. The only one I enjoyed was Butlers'. I think there are just better representatives in full-length novels instead of this random stories.
August 12, 2020
42 SHORT STORIES IN 42 DAYS*
DAY 34: Sister Lilith, by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers
This struck me as banal, but I suspect it contained subtleties that went over my head.
*The rules:
– Read one short story a day, every day for six weeks
– Read no more than one story by the same author within any 14-day period
– Deliberately include authors I wouldn't usually read
– Review each story in one sentence or less
Any fresh reading suggestions/recommendations will be gratefully received 📚
DAY 34: Sister Lilith, by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers
This struck me as banal, but I suspect it contained subtleties that went over my head.
*The rules:
– Read one short story a day, every day for six weeks
– Read no more than one story by the same author within any 14-day period
– Deliberately include authors I wouldn't usually read
– Review each story in one sentence or less
Any fresh reading suggestions/recommendations will be gratefully received 📚
March 30, 2013
I've read through the first hundred pages or so of this 400+ volume of short stories, from "Sister Lilith" to "Rhythm Travel". I don't think I'm equipped to speak much to this anthology, except to say I was moved and challenged by the stories in remarkable ways. I look forward to revisiting it in the future.
December 9, 2008
As uneven as you'd expect in an anthology this length, but well worth reading. Has an Octavia Butler story that blew my mind a little. I'm in love with Nalo Hopkinson now too. Gonna read the sequel.
October 15, 2020
Read roughly half of the stories, some were interesting but most of them were just okay. Not all of the story are created equal but the themes cover a range of speculative topics. Important to note that most of these short stories were written before the turn of the 21st century.
April 6, 2014
I love this book. The short stories are all engaging. I own this and re-read it from time to time.
April 22, 2014
excellent read by some of your favorite authors who you may not have known delve into science fiction. Worth the time.
Read
September 25, 2015Loved this book. So many great writers. Some I had heard of, others not.
January 19, 2020
I finally got my hands on the first Dark Matter! As far as I can see, there are only two in this series? I hope there continues to be more, because it’s a very interesting series and a great way to be introduced to black writers’ styles and to black writers in general, especially those in the sci-fi/fantasy scene.
Dark Matter is a collection of over thirty fiction and nonfiction works related to science fiction and fantasy, all by african American authors. The creation of these works range from when it was published (the 2000s) to back in the late 1900s.
Content warnings (for individual stories, so you can skip any if you need to):
Sister Lilith
- rape
- strange & obnoxious upholding of stereotypical “masculinity” and “femininity” (aka the man: “ooh feel my muscles”)
Chicago 1927
- rape
Tasting Songs
- rape used as a comparison
- domestic and child abuse mention
Can You Wear My Eyes
- sexual abuse mention
Like Daughter
- rape
- incest
- child and domestic abuse
Rhythm Travel
- racial slurs (n slur)
Buddy Bolden
- rape
- slavery
- sexual assault
Aye, and Gomorrah …
- ableist slurs (r slur)
- necrophilia
- saying not having sexual desires = you’re a child and have no capacity to love
Ginger (Ball Lightning)
- ableism (“schizo” as an adjective)
The Becoming
- pedophilia (met her lover before she was even 18, and he’s 10yrs older than her)
- note on the above:
-drugging and mutilation
The Goopherd Grapevine
- lots of racial slurs
The Evening and the Morning and the Night
- lots of gruesome self harm
Gimile’s Songs
- RAPE, but treated as romantic ??
Future Christmas
- fatphobia
- Inuit slurs
Like the second work of the series, every work is written well and shows off extremely talented, important, and popular black authors of sci-fi and fantasy, from Samuel R. Delany to Octavia E. Butler and then to voices more recently showing their strength, like Tananarive Due. It’s also great for introducing readers to writers they haven’t heard of - or haven’t heard much of yet, especially because some of these works are excerpts from already published books. While reading, I’ve been making notes of which authors I’d like to take a look at next.
All in all, I liked this collection less than the second installment, perhaps because the nature of the stories (heavier, more content that triggered me, made me need to take a break, etc.), or perhaps simply because they weren’t to my taste. But they weren’t any lower in quality; it’s just a personal preference kind of thing.
Though it is a rather long and large read, if you’re seriously interested in expanding the diversity of your reading experience - and supporting black authors and diversity in general, give this a try. It might be hard to find, but it’s worth it. The talent here is outstanding.
Dark Matter is a collection of over thirty fiction and nonfiction works related to science fiction and fantasy, all by african American authors. The creation of these works range from when it was published (the 2000s) to back in the late 1900s.
Content warnings (for individual stories, so you can skip any if you need to):
Sister Lilith
- rape
- strange & obnoxious upholding of stereotypical “masculinity” and “femininity” (aka the man: “ooh feel my muscles”)
Chicago 1927
- rape
Tasting Songs
- rape used as a comparison
- domestic and child abuse mention
Can You Wear My Eyes
- sexual abuse mention
Like Daughter
- rape
- incest
- child and domestic abuse
Rhythm Travel
- racial slurs (n slur)
Buddy Bolden
- rape
- slavery
- sexual assault
Aye, and Gomorrah …
- ableist slurs (r slur)
- necrophilia
- saying not having sexual desires = you’re a child and have no capacity to love
Ginger (Ball Lightning)
- ableism (“schizo” as an adjective)
The Becoming
- pedophilia (met her lover before she was even 18, and he’s 10yrs older than her)
- note on the above:
-drugging and mutilation
The Goopherd Grapevine
- lots of racial slurs
The Evening and the Morning and the Night
- lots of gruesome self harm
Gimile’s Songs
- RAPE, but treated as romantic ??
Future Christmas
- fatphobia
- Inuit slurs
Like the second work of the series, every work is written well and shows off extremely talented, important, and popular black authors of sci-fi and fantasy, from Samuel R. Delany to Octavia E. Butler and then to voices more recently showing their strength, like Tananarive Due. It’s also great for introducing readers to writers they haven’t heard of - or haven’t heard much of yet, especially because some of these works are excerpts from already published books. While reading, I’ve been making notes of which authors I’d like to take a look at next.
All in all, I liked this collection less than the second installment, perhaps because the nature of the stories (heavier, more content that triggered me, made me need to take a break, etc.), or perhaps simply because they weren’t to my taste. But they weren’t any lower in quality; it’s just a personal preference kind of thing.
Though it is a rather long and large read, if you’re seriously interested in expanding the diversity of your reading experience - and supporting black authors and diversity in general, give this a try. It might be hard to find, but it’s worth it. The talent here is outstanding.
September 14, 2025
this is a really valuable collection to have! while I knew quite a number of the authors, there were still some new to me, and I especially appreciated the essay near the end that lists several lesser known speculative works from black authors so I can go track those down myself.
fave stories are:
- 'Separation Anxiety' by Evie Shockley (in the near future, black americans are segregated into closed off areas in order to preserve their culture. very little outside contact is allowed, but people can opt to leave these areas and live in the wider US though they will not be allowed to communicate with anyone in the segregated zones. this story follows a dancer torn between her desire to expand her horizons and her love for her culture and her home)
- 'Like Daughter' by Tananarive Due (a new process of cloning allows people to have children cloned from themselves, and a woman is conflicted when her best friend asks her to take in her cloned daughter after the father leaves)
- 'Greedy Choke Puppy' by Nalo Hopkinson (this incorporates Caribbean folklore and follows a woman dealing with creatures somewhat similar to werewolves and vampires. short but interesting!)
- 'Ganger (Ball Lightning)' by Nalo Hopkinson (exploring new sexual horizons gets a little complicated when the toys you use are able to create a doppelganger made of energy that can kill you with its touch. sexy but also a sweet exploration of a rocky relationship getting back on its feet)
- 'Hussy Strut' by Ama Patterson (in the post-apocalyptic future, a group of girls attempt to escape their captors. one of them tells stories of Hussy Strut, a strong giant of a woman that inspires them when they need it the most).
I also really enjoyed the essay near the end by Samuel R. Delany that gave a really good picture of racism in the science fiction community. it was written in 1999 but parts of it sadly still feel relevant today.
this is a great collection for any sci fi fiction lover, and I'm looking forward to picking up the followup to this anthology!
fave stories are:
- 'Separation Anxiety' by Evie Shockley (in the near future, black americans are segregated into closed off areas in order to preserve their culture. very little outside contact is allowed, but people can opt to leave these areas and live in the wider US though they will not be allowed to communicate with anyone in the segregated zones. this story follows a dancer torn between her desire to expand her horizons and her love for her culture and her home)
- 'Like Daughter' by Tananarive Due (a new process of cloning allows people to have children cloned from themselves, and a woman is conflicted when her best friend asks her to take in her cloned daughter after the father leaves)
- 'Greedy Choke Puppy' by Nalo Hopkinson (this incorporates Caribbean folklore and follows a woman dealing with creatures somewhat similar to werewolves and vampires. short but interesting!)
- 'Ganger (Ball Lightning)' by Nalo Hopkinson (exploring new sexual horizons gets a little complicated when the toys you use are able to create a doppelganger made of energy that can kill you with its touch. sexy but also a sweet exploration of a rocky relationship getting back on its feet)
- 'Hussy Strut' by Ama Patterson (in the post-apocalyptic future, a group of girls attempt to escape their captors. one of them tells stories of Hussy Strut, a strong giant of a woman that inspires them when they need it the most).
I also really enjoyed the essay near the end by Samuel R. Delany that gave a really good picture of racism in the science fiction community. it was written in 1999 but parts of it sadly still feel relevant today.
this is a great collection for any sci fi fiction lover, and I'm looking forward to picking up the followup to this anthology!
April 21, 2018
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.
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.
February 10, 2023
I didn’t read every short story here but I read all the essays and their majority of the short stories and need to move on. Not, however, because the book is bad! Quite the opposite. Great new ideas and a super way to get lots of exposure fast. Essays at the end were helpful to tie them all together. Also, even though the intro talked about black sci-fi, the title is speculative fiction and that is what is true. The short stories are not all sci-fi and that was a good through experiment: sci-fi or not?
March 11, 2018
Best anthology of the genre that I have encountered so far. There are a few stories that demand more will to read through (due to lake of interest) but that may simply be due to my leaning more toward scifi vs fantasy.
That said, if you're into afrofuturism, I wouldn't discourage anyone from picking up this fantastic read.
That said, if you're into afrofuturism, I wouldn't discourage anyone from picking up this fantastic read.
June 5, 2024
This gets five stars because it’s rare for a short story anthology to be full of consistently great stories. When you have a century of Anglophone African diaspora writers to choose from, you’ve got a lot of great options, but the variety here and consistent quality is great. There wasn’t a single story I did not enjoy, and I really liked or loved most of them.
June 5, 2020
Ganger (Ball Lightning)
November 18, 2025
Nalo Hopkinson is one of my new favorite authors
October 29, 2018
This book blew my mind. There are stories in it that I have never forgotten and still think about to this day, particularly Derrick Bell's "The Space Traders". Love it.
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