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**I received an arc for an honest review**
Description
From the Hugo, Nebula, Locus and Nommo award nominated author of Shigidi and The Brass Head Of Obalufon comes a stunning new collection of stories that investigate the rapidly changing role of technology and belief in our lives as we search for meaning, for knowledge, for justice; constantly converging on our future selves.
In “An Arc of Electric Skin,” a roadside mechanic seeking justice volunteers to undergo a procedure that will increase the electrical conductivity of his skin by orders of magnitude. In “Blowout,” a woman races against time and a previously undocumented geological phenomenon to save her brother on the surface of Mars. In “Ganger,” a young woman trapped in a city run by machines must transfer her consciousness into an artificial body and find a way to give her life
purpose. In “Debut,” Nairobi-based technical support engineer tries to understand what is happening when an AI art system begins malfunctioning in ways that could change the world.
The sixteen stories of Convergence Problems, which include work published for the first time in this collection, rare stories, and recently acclaimed work, showcase Talabi at his creative best: playful and profound, exciting and experimental, always interesting.
Summary
I recently read Convergence Problems, a collection of science-fiction by Nigerian author, Wole Talabi.
Review
Convergence Problems is a fascinating collection of works that explore speculative fiction, Afrofuturism, cyberpunk and science fiction. This genre is not my usual read but Talabi’s storytelling is thought-proviking, the dystopian settings often challenging and especially for the social norms. A few of the stories that I enjoyed the most include:
- Ganger
- An Arc of Electric Skin
- A Dream of Electric Mothers
Talabi’s writing is a seamless fusion of speculative fiction and African cultural narratives. His background as an engineer enriches his writing with authentic technical insights. His deep connection to his Nigerian culture offers a fresh perspective within the science fiction genre. The strength of this collection lies in its diversity of themes and settings, transporting the reader from the very near-Nigerian future to a Martian landscape. Throughout these vibrant settings, there is a cohesive sense of meeting places, themes and integration.
Convergence Problems is a collection that challenges conventional perspectives on technology, culture, and identity. Talabi’s adeptness in merging speculative elements with African folklore results in stories that are both innovative and reflective.
Conclusion
A highly recommended read! Great for readers who enjoy Afrofuturism, science fiction and cyberpunk. A great collection of stories that seamlessly meld African folklore and technology. A must read!
** This review reflects my personal opinion and does not influence any official judging decisions. **
Leanbh Pearson 