Courtesy of AFROSF

Science fiction is only recently making inroads in Africa, despite the fact that African themes of magical realism, ancestral cultures and traditions lend themselves well to the genre.

Science fiction’s budding popularity on the continent traces back to current authors such as Ghana’s Kojo Laing (Big Bishop Roko and the Altar Gangsters), South Africa’s Lauren Beukes (Zoo City and Moxyland), and Nigerian-American Nnedi Okorafor (Zahrah the Windseeker, Who Fears Death, Akata Witch).

Yet there is plenty of room for even more voices. This is where AfroSF: Science fiction by African writers comes in.

Edited by Zimbabwean Ivor W. Hartmann, AfroSF is said to be the first-ever anthology of the genre by African writers. The book is a collection of 22 new and original short stories written by authors from Gambia, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe and the diaspora, imagining “a future from our African perspective,” as Hartmann writes in his introduction.

There’s a little bit of everything — from time travel, ancestral spirits and technological advancements, to incurable diseases, corporate greed and global climate change — but here are a few favorites:

In “Home Affairs,” Sarah Lotz paints a future where robots have replaced African bureaucrats. You might not be able to corrupt a machine, but getting on the wrong side of a computer can lead to identity loss. “Five Sets of Hands” by Cristy Zinn tells of an enslaved race that lives on Mars and digs for ancient artifacts, touching on issues of oppression as well as courage in the face of injustice.

“Masquerade Stories” by Chiagozie Fred Nwonwu explores the conflicts between traditional African values and modernity while postulating that aliens have been visiting earth for centuries. In Joan De La Haye’s “The Trial,” as the world population reaches the 9-billion mark, the courts are tasked with deciding who is considered a valuable member of society.

Pairing new authors alongside award-winners, the anthology symbolizes the vast potential for rich sci-fi stories to be told from a unique African perspective. So if you are searching for a strong collection of short stories — or are curious as to what Africans can bring to this specific genre — make sure to grab a copy. With its imaginative stories, this highly readable and entertaining anthology will transport readers to new, and unexplored, destinations.