How long 'til black future month?

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Varies, see individual formats and editions
Publication Date
2018.
Language
English
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Three-time Hugo Award winner and NYT bestselling author N. K. Jemisin challenges and delights readers with thought-provoking narratives of destruction, rebirth, and redemption that sharply examine modern society in her first collection of short fiction, which includes never-before-seen stories."Marvelous and wide-ranging." -- Los Angeles Times"Gorgeous" -- NPR Books"Breathtakingly imaginative and narratively bold." -- Entertainment WeeklySpirits haunt the flooded streets of New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. In a parallel universe, a utopian society watches our world, trying to learn from our mistakes. A black mother in the Jim Crow South must save her daughter from a fey offering impossible promises. And in the Hugo award-nominated short story "The City Born Great," a young street kid fights to give birth to an old metropolis's soul.

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ISBN
9780356512549
9780316491341
9780316491358
9781549147289
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Table of Contents

From the Book - First edition.

The ones who stay and fight
The city born great
Red dirt witch
L'Alchimista
The effluent engine
Cloud dragon skies
The Trojan girl
Valedictorian
The storyteller's replacement
The brides of heaven
The evaluators
Walking awake
The elevator dancer
Cuisine des mémoires
Stone hunger
On the banks of the River Lex
The narcomancer
Henosis
Too many yesterdays, not enough tomorrows
The you train
Non-zero probabilities
Sinners, saints, dragons, and haints, in the city beneath the still waters.

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Similar Titles From NoveList

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for titles you might like if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
These books have the appeal factors own voices, and they have the genres "short stories" and "african american fiction"; the subjects "african americans" and "north american people"; and include the identity "black."
Both of these own voices short story collections use fantasy, science fiction, and horror genres to explore the Black experience in the United States in both contemporary and historical settings. -- Margaret Kingsbury
Both of these short story collections span the genres of science fiction and fantasy, and investigate topics like aliens, technology, and parenthood. -- Malia Jackson
These books have the appeal factors thought-provoking, stylistically complex, and own voices, and they have the genres "short stories" and "african american fiction"; the subject "african americans"; and include the identity "black."
Two thought-provoking authors known for their world-building and for racking up all the major awards in science fiction and fantasy genres gather their short stories in these compelling collections. -- Michael Shumate
Both Afrofuturist short story collections are thought-provoking and compelling. The Memory Librarian features five tales penned by different authors; How Long 'til Black Future Month? offers 22 stories written by a single author. -- Kaitlin Conner
These books have the appeal factors thought-provoking and own voices, and they have the genres "short stories" and "science fiction"; the subjects "african americans," "american people," and "north american people"; and include the identity "black."
These books have the genres "short stories" and "fantasy fiction"; the subjects "magic" and "african americans"; and include the identity "black."
Fans of socially conscious speculative fiction will love these short story collections featuring culturally diverse characters in thought-provoking, imaginative tales of science fiction, fantasy, and Afrofuturism. -- Rebecca Padrick
These books have the appeal factors own voices, and they have the genres "short stories" and "science fiction"; the subject "north american people"; and include the identity "black."
These books have the genres "science fiction" and "african american fiction"; the subject "african americans"; and include the identity "black."
Both culturally diverse speculative fiction anthologies offer well-drawn characters and resonant social commentary. People's Future collects dystopian and utopian stories written by 25 notable authors; Black Future's 22 Afrofuturistic stories are all penned by a single Hugo-winning author. -- Kaitlin Conner

Similar Authors From NoveList

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for other authors you might want to read if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
Both authors include political and social commentary in their works and often disguise that commentary within mythic lands and otherworldly protagonists. They frequently use the stranger-in-a-strange-land trope to point out the ways in which their worlds differ from the ones we know. And the ways in which they don't. -- Halle Carlson
Writing gender-fluid characters and creating cultures where the standard social norms are upended, Kameron Hurley and N.K. Jemisin science fiction and fantasy Middle Eastern-inflected fantasy starring smart, capable female protagonists set in richly detailed cities and civilizations. -- Mike Nilsson
Always emphasizing culturally diverse characters, these novelists move easily back and forth between Afrofantasy and Afrofuturism from book to book. Jemisin's detailed world-building is more epic in scale, while Lord uses a lyrical touch to suggest the shifting relationships between humans, aliens, and mythological beings. -- Michael Shumate
Though Kai Ashante Wilson presents his Afrofantasy fiction from a gay male point of view and N. K. Jemisin's lead characters are predominantly female and heterosexual, readers who enjoy this genre and revel in lushly descriptive prose, compelling storylines, and richly imagined worlds may appreciate both writers. -- Katherine Johnson
The atmospheric novels of Neon Yang and N.K. Jemisin follow diverse well-developed characters as they navigate politically complex, fantastical worlds. Both authors are known for writing stories that are inventive, magical, and entirely thought-provoking. -- Autumn Winters
These authors write science fiction and fantasy that combines world-building and suspenseful writing. They develop Black characters who, despite existing in imagined worlds, are realistic: Johnnie Christmas's characters are often relatable, while N.K. Jemisin's read authentic. Jemisin mostly works as a novelist, but like Christmas, she has a science fiction comics series. -- Basia Wilson
In their intricately plotted and sweeping science fiction epics, both N.K. Jemisin and Frank Herbert create worlds with complex mythologies and characters forced to make difficult decisions amid their grand heroic plans. -- Stephen Ashley
While Nnedi Okorafor's fantasy and science fiction draws directly on her Nigerian-American heritage, both writers tell stories featuring protagonists with diverse racial and cultural origins. Their heroes live in a society that reflects current racial and cultural prejudices and themes of outsider status and insider expectations are present in both authors' work. -- Halle Carlson
Minister Faust and N. K. Jemisin write complex Afrofuturism and Afrofantasy offering deeply realized characters, cultural diversity, and intricate plots. Each conjures unique worlds based on ancient cultures (Faust) and on possible future dystopias (Jemisin), often weaving magic into their graceful narratives. -- Mike Nilsson
While Na'amen Gobert Tilahun writes gateway urban fantasy featuring ethnically diverse LGBTQIA characters, and N. K. Jemisin's books are classic Afrofantasy portraying heterosexual characters interacting in imaginary worlds, both offer rich world-building and sympathetic, well-drawn protagonists. -- Katherine Johnson
N.K. Jemisin builds on Octavia Butler's remarkable science fiction legacy with similarly thought-provoking and compelling Afrofuturistic novels set in reimagined worlds, featuring protagonists who often wrestle with various forms of social injustice that contemporary readers will find familiar. -- Basia Wilson
In their suspenseful, mythology-forward science fiction and fantasy stories, both Nalo Hopkinson and N. K. Jemisin explore themes of colonialism, discrimination, and culture. Both are known for complex and lyrical writing, but Jemisin's is just a touch grittier. -- Stephen Ashley

Published Reviews

Booklist Review

The first short story collection from the widely acclaimed Jemisin (The Stone Sky, 2017) showcases a wide range of fantasy and sf united by her particular vision. There are stories where magic bursts into the real world, as in "L'Alchimista," about a chef whose art draws the attention of a man bearing wondrous ingredients, or in "The City, Born Great," where a young man becomes the living, beating heart of New York City. Some stories take place in sf futures, such as "The Evaluators," where transcripts and messages from a first-contact mission reveal a dangerous and seductive threat, or "Walking Awake," which revisits the classic trope of alien parasites and human hosts and the grim requirements of freedom. There are also short visits to worlds familiar to fans of Jemisin's, such as "The Narcomancer" and "Stone Hunger," which return to the worlds of her Dreamblood and Broken Earth series, respectively. Established fans of Jemisin's work and general fantasy and sf readers alike should check out this collection of diverse and exciting new speculative fiction. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Jemisin's news-making three-time Hugo-winning Broken Earth trilogy opened her fan base up to nongenre readers, too.--Alan Keep Copyright 2018 Booklist

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
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Publisher's Weekly Review

In 22 powerful and mind-expanding stories, several of which appear for the first time here, Hugo winner Jemisin (The Stone Sky) pushes boundaries, experiments with format and theme, and challenges expectations. While her tales span science fiction and fantasy, certain themes of defiance, feminism, and self-acceptance shine through no matter what the setting or premise. A king devours a dragon's heart to restore his virility in "The Storyteller's Replacement," only to experience unexpected consequences. A gifted chef is challenged to test new recipes by a mysterious benefactor in "L'Alchimista." In "The Effluent Engine," a Haitian spy meets her match in an American inventor. In "Walking Awake," a tale inspired by Robert A. Heinlein's The Puppet Masters, a woman enslaved by parasitic aliens is given a chance to both avenge and free humankind. Throughout these stories, Jemisin's versatility is on full display, giving her diverse protagonists numerous chances to shine. Though not every story will resonate with every reader, there's something in this collection for just about everyone, and many of the works are memorable gems. Those who only know Jemisin for her groundbreaking novels will be impressed all over again by her short fiction, and it serves as an excellent introduction for those unfamiliar with her work. Agent: Lucienne Diver, Knight Agency. (Dec.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
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Library Journal Review

In this career-spanning collection, Jemisin ("The Broken Earth" trilogy) delivers 22 thrilling stories of black strength in the face of worldly and otherworldly adversity. In "The Ones Who Stay and Fight," guardians of a thriving world parallel to ours watch over humans and toil with ruthless compassion to avoid falling prey to common prejudices or repeating mistakes. In "The Valedictorian," a girl who has always defied convention to pursue greatness in the shadow of war learns the true cost of failure and the terrifying burden of success. In "The Storyteller's Replacement," an unnamed narrator tells of a foolish king who consumes a dragon's heart in the hope of siring sons and the cunning, dragon-hearted daughters he fathers instead. In "The Effluent Engine," a Haitian spy infiltrates slavery-shackled America in search of technology to safeguard free Haiti against threatening French influence. There she meets a beautiful Creole chemist who could secure Haiti's future and steal her heart in the process. VERDICT This robust collection is a worthy introduction to three-time Hugo Award winner Jemisin's powerful work for curious newcomers and is sure to delight the author's many fans.-Idris Grey, Houston © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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Kirkus Book Review

This collection of short stories by Jemisin, the first person to win the Hugo award for best novel three years in a row (most recently for The Stone Sky, 2017), eloquently develops a series of passionately felt themes.Many of these science-fiction and fantasy tales explore the nature of resistance. Some do so on a personal scale: In "The Elevator Dancer," an office worker and a security guard separately search for the tiniest drop of joy in a grim theocratic future, while in "Valedictorian," a high school student fiercely challenges herself to excel while knowing that alien forces outside her community take a specific interest in the best and brightest. Other stories fight back with a wider scope. "Red Dirt Witch" begins with a mother's struggle to protect her children but ends with a family's commitment to the civil rights movement. "The Effluent Engine" takes place in an alternate 19th-century New Orleans where a Haitian spy seeks technological support for her island's resistance to the French. In contrast, "The Trojan Girl" is set in a virtual future where rogue bits of code quest for freedom and enhanced capabilities. "Cloud Dragon Skies" is a cautionary tale about pollution and the dangers of ignoring local culture, while "L'Alchimista" and "Cuisine des Mmoires" celebrate the pleasures and profound power of food. Others are specific and defiant responses to classic sf stories. The collection also includes an early version of the Broken Earth universe and a lovely tragedy set in the lands of the Dreamblood duology.These stories span Jemisin's career; they demonstrate both the growth and active flourishing of one of speculative fiction's most thoughtful and exciting writers. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
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Booklist Reviews

The first short story collection from the widely acclaimed Jemisin (The Stone Sky, 2017) showcases a wide range of fantasy and sf united by her particular vision. There are stories where magic bursts into the real world, as in L'Alchimista, about a chef whose art draws the attention of a man bearing wondrous ingredients, or in The City, Born Great, where a young man becomes the living, beating heart of New York City. Some stories take place in sf futures, such as The Evaluators, where transcripts and messages from a first-contact mission reveal a dangerous and seductive threat, or Walking Awake, which revisits the classic trope of alien parasites and human hosts and the grim requirements of freedom. There are also short visits to worlds familiar to fans of Jemisin's, such as The Narcomancer and Stone Hunger, which return to the worlds of her Dreamblood and Broken Earth series, respectively. Established fans of Jemisin's work and general fantasy and sf readers alike should check out this collection of diverse and exciting new speculative fiction. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Jemisin's news-making three-time Hugo-winning Broken Earth trilogy opened her fan base up to nongenre readers, too. Copyright 2018 Booklist Reviews.

Copyright 2018 Booklist Reviews.
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Library Journal Reviews

In this career-spanning collection, Jemisin ("The Broken Earth" trilogy) delivers 22 thrilling stories of black strength in the face of worldly and otherworldly adversity. In "The Ones Who Stay and Fight," guardians of a thriving world parallel to ours watch over humans and toil with ruthless compassion to avoid falling prey to common prejudices or repeating mistakes. In "The Valedictorian," a girl who has always defied convention to pursue greatness in the shadow of war learns the true cost of failure and the terrifying burden of success. In "The Storyteller's Replacement," an unnamed narrator tells of a foolish king who consumes a dragon's heart in the hope of siring sons and the cunning, dragon-hearted daughters he fathers instead. In "The Effluent Engine," a Haitian spy infiltrates slavery-shackled America in search of technology to safeguard free Haiti against threatening French influence. There she meets a beautiful Creole chemist who could secure Haiti's future and steal her heart in the process. VERDICT This robust collection is a worthy introduction to three-time Hugo Award winner Jemisin's powerful work for curious newcomers and is sure to delight the author's many fans.—Idris Grey, Houston

Copyright 2018 Library Journal.

Copyright 2018 Library Journal.
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Publishers Weekly Reviews

In 22 powerful and mind-expanding stories, several of which appear for the first time here, Hugo winner Jemisin (The Stone Sky) pushes boundaries, experiments with format and theme, and challenges expectations. While her tales span science fiction and fantasy, certain themes of defiance, feminism, and self-acceptance shine through no matter what the setting or premise. A king devours a dragon's heart to restore his virility in "The Storyteller's Replacement," only to experience unexpected consequences. A gifted chef is challenged to test new recipes by a mysterious benefactor in "L'Alchimista." In "The Effluent Engine," a Haitian spy meets her match in an American inventor. In "Walking Awake," a tale inspired by Robert A. Heinlein's The Puppet Masters, a woman enslaved by parasitic aliens is given a chance to both avenge and free humankind. Throughout these stories, Jemisin's versatility is on full display, giving her diverse protagonists numerous chances to shine. Though not every story will resonate with every reader, there's something in this collection for just about everyone, and many of the works are memorable gems. Those who only know Jemisin for her groundbreaking novels will be impressed all over again by her short fiction, and it serves as an excellent introduction for those unfamiliar with her work. Agent: Lucienne Diver, Knight Agency. (Dec.)

Copyright 2018 Publishers Weekly.

Copyright 2018 Publishers Weekly.
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