Talk like a Man

PM's Outspoken Authors #24

by Nisi Shawl

Nisi Shawl’s steampunk-flavored alternate history of the “Belgian” Congo, Everfair , has taken the science fiction and fantasy world by storm. No surprise there. Their swift, sure, and savvy short stories had already established them as a cutting-edge Afrofuturist icon whose politically charged fiction is in the grand feminist tradition of Ursula K. Le Guin, Octavia Butler, and Suzy McKee Charnas. In these previously uncollected stories, Shawl explores the unexpected possibilities and perils opened up by SF&F’s new intersectionality. In Shawl’s side-slippery world, sex can be both commerce and worship, complete with ancient rites, altars, and ointments (“Women of the Doll”); a virtual reality high school is a proving ground for girlpacks and their unfortunate adversaries (“Walk like a Man”); and a British rock singer finds an image in a mirror that reflects both future hits and ancient horrors (“Something More”). Also included is a presentation at a southern university, in which they patiently (and gleefully) deconstructs the academic and arcane intersections between ancient rites and modern tech. Ifa, anyone?
Our Outspoken Interview with Shawl, in which unapologetics are proffered, riddles are unraveled, and icons are, as always, clasted.

Genres: Short Stories, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Queer, Short Story Collection

128 pages, Paperback

First published November 15, 2019

About the author

Nisi Shawl is a founder of the diversity-in-speculative-fiction nonprofit the Carl Brandon Society and serves on the Board of Directors of the Clarion West Writers’ Workshop. Their story collection Filter House was a winner of the 2009 Tiptree/Otherwise Award, and their debut novel, Everfair, was a 2016 Nebula finalist. Shawl edited Bloodchildren: Stories by the Octavia E. Butler Scholars (2013). They coedited Strange Matings: Science Fiction, Feminism, African American Voices, and Octavia E. Butler (2013).

Reviews

[2TReads]

'The Afrodiasporic religious outlook is deeply pragmatic; it makes use of what is useful'-Nisi Shawl.

I don't want to rate this collection; as it was really only four short stories, an explanation of Ifa (a Yoruba religion and system of divination) and Shawl's involvement in it, and an interview on their writing process and views on SFFH (Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror).

The story 'Women of the Doll' was the most memorable for me; a secret, not-so-secret organization that give at risk, vulnerable women the opportunity to protect their most precious essence, so as not to get lost in the crucible of the world.

I did appreciate them explaining what drew them to Ifa and the beliefs and values that make up this religion.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short collection includes a handful of short stories, an essay on Ifa and science fiction, and an interview; I picked it up having really enjoyed Shawl’s Everfair and its sequel, Kinning.

I liked the stories, but the highlight for me was the essay. I appreciate Shawl’s discussion of Ifa and social technologies, and the relationships between their religious practice and writing sci-fi. In that discussion they link to another short story published elsewhere that explores these themes and I will 100% be reading that one. I wouldn’t suggest this as a place to start with Shawl’s work but if you are a reader who has enjoyed their work and wants to hear more from them about it, this would be a good book to pick up.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Women of the Doll was Five Stars, and the interviews were great, but I didn’t get into the other stories. The authors other work sounds interesting though.

[Nicolas Lontel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Je dois avouer que la collection d'anthologie de quelques nouvelles de PM Press (Outspoken Authors Series) ne m'interpelle pas vraiment de manière générale, il y a quelque chose avec le choix des nouvelles littéraires qui ne m'intéresse souvent, et très étrangement, pas beaucoup tandis que les essais, les pièces de témoignages, entrevues, discours, j'adore!

Cet ouvrage ne fait pas exception à la règle, il y a un super texte de Shawl à la fin qui réfléchit les liens entre science-fiction, technologie et religion par le prisme de sa propre religion (Ifá) et des courtes questions par la suite de Terry Bisson qui dialogue avec des nombreux·se auteur·es de science-fiction, Racefail etc. et qui permet de découvrir un peu l'auteurice derrière l'ouvrage.

Note sur la traduction: Je me permet simplement de questionner le résumé à l'arrière qui indique que Nisi Shawl est une "figure de l'afro-féminisme" alors que j'ai l'impression que le mot recherché était plutôt "afro-futurisme" (pas qu'elle ne peut pas être les deux, mais les nouvelles et textes essayistiques penchent vraiment vers le second terme). Le titre et la différence avec la nouvelle soi-disant éponyme (Parle comme un homme est le titre de l'anthologie et Marche comme un homme est le titre de la nouvelle) est présent dans l'édition originale donc je ne critiquerais pas cette reproduction étrange (bien que je la comprends un peu mal, surtout avec le sous-titre et autres textes parce que l'anthologie pourrait être bien porté un nom un peu évocateur d'une nouvelle, mais plutôt indiquer quelque chose d'autre dans sa portée).

[Rosie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed these stories, but I thought the best chapters in this collection were the essay and the interview. I was super interested in everything Nisi Shawl had to say about science fiction and science, Ifa and religion, especially when they spoke about Ifa's social technologies, including altars, music, and offerings. "Viewing Ifa more as a spiritual practice, a cultural and social milieu, than as a theoretical construct of the cosmos, it's possible to see certain of its elements as social tools, as parts of a social technology" (89). I was also drawn to the Afrofuturism conversation, and I wish that there had been more time dedicated to that. The next Shawl work I read will be Writing the Other.

[Inda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somehow, Nisi Shawl's writing always comes at the right time for me. I enjoyed the shorts and essays here and with "Something More" was reminded of how I wish I could write about music and musicians in the way they do. I was taken back to what struck me about Filter House and see that Shawl still has that flair for making the fantastic part of the every day.

[Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rec. by: Previous work
Rec. for: Rebels with a cause, or two...

I have never been led astray by Nisi Shawl's work, nor by PM Press... so when I ran across Talk Like a Man Plus... (Outspoken Authors entry #24) at The Bookloft in Enterprise, Oregon, I just had to add it to my haul from that fine establishment. (And, please note, this is an entirely unsolicited endorsement.)

And... yep, this slim collection is another good read—from every direction.

Its Table of Contents is short, and I transcribed it straight from the book, this time:

"Walk Like a Man"

"I'm thinking of starting a girlpack."
—p.1

High school hierarchies still apply, especially in the meat—but whoah, who's that new girl? Lia really wants to know...

"Women of the Doll"
Properly setting up the space is what takes the most time... but Josette knows how things work. Some things—some works—anyway... and she hadn't anticipated Danny either.
This one's sexually explicit, just so you know... in a good way.

"Something More"
A melancholy tale of a British folk singer haunted by a lady from across a vast gulf of time... and the wizard who opposes them both.

"An Awfully Big Adventure"
The third-born sister is the bravest—she always goes first.

"Ifa: Reverence, Science, and Social Technology"

We ain't mad at you, pretty science; don't be mad at we.
—p.88

"The Fly in the Sugar Bowl"
This interview with Outspoken Authors series editor Terry Bisson ranges across time and space, dealing out deets on subjects as varied as Octavia Butler and how a mermaid can be from Michigan.

To paraphrase Marlon Brando's character in The Wild One: How am I rebelling against the patriarchy? "How many ways ya got?"
—p.104

Talk Like a Man Plus... finishes off with Bibliography and About the Author sections that are, though now a little out of date, also worth perusing.

So far, The Bookloft is now two for two—and I have a couple more left. Lookin' good...

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I honestly didn’t quite understand what I was reading a lot of the time. Probably not the best introduction to their writing, maybe I should start with something else. Very imaginative, but I had trouble tracking the stories.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, PM's Outspoken Authors series delights. Shawl's writing is rich and this slender volume showcases their range, from cyberpunk futures to ancient practices. I was particularly captivated with the details of the living doll's motions and actions.

[Tomasz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took me a bit to read this one, the stories didn't yield to speed-reading (a good thing, in this case). Shawl is versatile, great at picking the style to fit the tale, this is the kind of writerly martial arts I appreciate a lot. Recommended.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the stories were decent, some were confusing and boring. I guess I'd probably read something else by them.

[MM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some short stories, a lecture, and an interview.

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read her novel yet but I like Shawl's short fiction a lot. The essay & interview are interesting too.

[Mills College Library]

Fiction S537t 2020

[MJ · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think I would normally enjoy this book (I've enjoyed other books by this author), but these were a little too dense for me...covid brain.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved these confusing and fascinating short stories, but was underwhelmed by the final interview with its complete lack of rhythm.

[Liza Wemakor]

I wrote a quick review here:
https://lunastationquarterly.com/nisi...

[Dawn Livingston]

Tried to read it, couldn't get into it and gave up.

[Daniel T · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction to an interesting author. Reading Shawl feels like crawling into a world thats recognizable but slightly divergent.

[Rhia · Rating 2 out of 5]

These stories were maybe too weird for me.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting stories and I appreciated both her essay and interview. More rad poli than most in the series.

[Audrey Vann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This left me totally mystified. I will be rereading Woman of the Doll at least annually from now on.