Rosewater (Thompson novel)

Last updated

Rosewater
Rosewater by Tade Thompson.jpg
First edition cover art as published by Apex Publications in 2016
Author Tade Thompson
Country United Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
SeriesThe Wormwood Trilogy
Release number
1
GenreScience fiction
Set in Nigeria, 2012-2066
Publisher Apex Publications, Orbit Books
Publication date
2016 (Apex); 18 September 2018 (Orbit)
Pages423 (Paperback)
Awards2019 Arthur C. Clarke Award
ISBN 9780316449052
Followed by The Rosewater Insurrection  

Rosewater is a 2016 science fiction novel by Nigerian-British writer Tade Thompson. In Rosewater, Nigerian agent Kaaro uses his psychic powers to investigate a mysterious alien dome and deaths linked to it. It was followed by two sequels: The Rosewater Insurrection and The Rosewater Redemption which were published in 2019 simultaneously. The novel won the inaugural Nommo Award as well as the 2019 Arthur C. Clarke Award.

Contents

Plot

In 2012, an alien named Wormwood appears in London, substantially altering the world's geopolitical landscape. In the 2050s, it creates an impenetrable dome in Rosewater, Nigeria. It exudes a fungus called xenoforms, which interact with human nervous systems. A very small number of humans are able to use the xenoforms to access an information network known as the xenosphere; these humans are called “sensitives”. The life of Kaaro, a sensitive, is presented throughout different decades.

As a teen, Kaaro uses his burgeoning psychic abilities for thievery. He is caught and almost executed. He escapes and begins using his telepathy on the black market before being recruited by the government. In the 2050s, he trains with S45, a secret branch of the Nigerian government. He is tasked with tracking down Oyin Da, an anarchist revolutionary. Kaaro and Da travel to the future site of Rosewater, where they speak with Wormwood. They are followed by S45 agents who shoot at Wormwood, but Kaaro senses the trap and saves him. Wormwood then creates the dome to separate himself from most humans; Da stays within the dome and Kaaro does not.

In 2066, Kaaro is still working for S45. Sensitives begin dying of an unknown illness. He begins seeing a mysterious woman named Molara in the xenosphere. He dates a woman named Aminat. Unbeknownst to Kaaro, she is an undercover S45 agent. Molara reveals that she is of alien origin; she is the embodiment of the xenosphere. The creation of sensitives was an unintended consequence as aliens gathered information about Earth. They no longer need more information, so they are killing the sensitives. She attempts to kill Kaaro, but he is rescued by Wormwood. Kaaro learns that the aliens are replacing human DNA with their own over the course of generations. He and Aminat continue their lives, unsure about how to combat the inevitable end of humanity.

Major themes

After Wormwood lands in London, the United States goes dark and becomes isolated from the world. In contrast, Nigeria becomes the center of the story. This contrasts with the history of science fiction, a genre long dominated by Americans, and mirrors the emergence of more science fiction writers of African descent. [1] The novel also critiques the isolationist policies of former American president Donald Trump. [2]

The novel features important discussions about human connection. This is shown by the presence of sensitives and their ability to access the xenosphere, which parallels the inability of many modern people to disconnect from the Internet and social media. [2] In contrast to white western cyberpunk, Rosewater's characters are connected by networks of family and friendship groups. [3] Homosexuality is still illegal in 2060s Nigeria; Kaaro's gay foster parents are forced to disable their tracking signals despite the presence of an all-connecting xenosphere. [2] Furthermore, the alien invasion trope is used to explore "global power structures and pervasive technologies". [4]

Publication history

The novel was first published by the small press Apex Publications before being acquired by Orbit Books. [5]

Reception

The novel received critical praise. It has been described as a genre mashup, including Africanfuturism, cyberpunk, biopunk, Afropunk, zombie-shocker, a love story; a reviewer for The Guardian praised Thompson's ability to "expertly [juggle] all his disparate elements". [6] Another reviewer called it "a worthy winner" of the Arthur C. Clarke Award and stated that Thompson was one of the "leading proponents of contemporary Afrofuturism" along with authors such as N.K. Jemisin and Colson Whitehead. [3] The novel was praised for including various references to Yoruba culture. [1] A reviewer for Locus wrote that it "represent[s] yet another major contribution to the small but growing number of SF works reflecting Nigerian culture." [7] Another praised the "evocative descriptions" as well as the physicality of the writing style. [2] Thompson also received praise for his strong female characters. [8]

The novel won the inaugural 2017 Nommo Award for Best Novel [9] and the 2019 Arthur C. Clarke Award, [10] and, with its two sequels, was a finalist for the 2020 Hugo Award for Best Series. [11]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Octavia E. Butler</span> American science fiction writer (1947–2006)

Octavia Estelle Butler was an American science fiction author and a multiple recipient of the Hugo and Nebula awards. In 1995, Butler became the first science-fiction writer to receive a MacArthur Fellowship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ian McDonald (British author)</span> British science fiction novelist

Ian McDonald is a British science fiction novelist, living in Belfast. His themes include nanotechnology, postcyberpunk settings, and the impact of rapid social and technological change on non-Western societies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Afrofuturism</span> Cultural aesthetic and philosophy

Afrofuturism is a cultural aesthetic, philosophy of science, and history that explores the intersection of the African diaspora culture with science and technology. It addresses themes and concerns of the African diaspora through technoculture and speculative fiction, encompassing a range of media and artists with a shared interest in envisioning black futures that stem from Afro-diasporic experiences. While Afrofuturism is most commonly associated with science fiction, it can also encompass other speculative genres such as fantasy, alternate history and magic realism. The term was coined by American cultural critic Mark Dery in 1993 and explored in the late 1990s through conversations led by Alondra Nelson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nnedi Okorafor</span> Nigerian-American writer of science fiction and fantasy

Nnedimma Nkemdili "Nnedi" Okorafor is a Nigerian American writer of science fiction and fantasy for both children and adults. She is best known for her Binti Series and her novels Who Fears Death, Zahrah the Windseeker, Akata Witch, Akata Warrior, Lagoon and Remote Control. She has also written for comics and film.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black science fiction</span> Science fiction involving black people

Black science fiction or black speculative fiction is an umbrella term that covers a variety of activities within the science fiction, fantasy, and horror genres where people of the African diaspora take part or are depicted. Some of its defining characteristics include a critique of the social structures leading to black oppression paired with an investment in social change. Black science fiction is "fed by technology but not led by it." This means that black science fiction often explores with human engagement with technology instead of technology as an innate good.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aké Arts and Book Festival</span> Annual literary event in Nigeria

The Aké Arts and Book Festival is a literary and artistic event held annually in Nigeria. It was founded in 2013 by Lola Shoneyin, a Nigerian writer and poet, in Abeokuta. It features new and established writers from across the world, and its primary focus has been to promote, develop, and celebrate the creativity of African writers, poets, and artists. The Aké Arts and Book Festival has been described as the African continent's biggest annual gathering of literary writers, editors, critics, and readers. The festival has an official website and a dedicated magazine, known as the Aké Review.

<i>Lagoon</i> (novel) 2014 africanfuturist novel by Nnedi Okorafor

Lagoon is an Africanfuturist novel by Nnedi Okorafor. It has drawn much scholarly attention since its publication, some of which was written before Okorafor's important clarification that her work is "Africanfuturist" rather than "Afrofuturist." In 2014 it was chosen as an honor list title for the James Tiptree Jr. Award.

Tade Thompson FRSL is a British-born Nigerian psychiatrist and writer best known for his science fiction novel series Rosewater.

<i>The Murders of Molly Southbourne</i> 2017 horror novella by Tade Thompson

The Murders of Molly Southbourne is a 2017 horror novella by Nigerian-British writer Tade Thompson. The plot covers the life of Molly Southbourne, who is afflicted by a mysterious condition. Every time she bleeds, a doppelgänger will grow from her blood and attempt to kill her. The novel has two sequels: The Survival of Molly Southbourne (2019) and The Legacy of Molly Southbourne (2022).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suyi Davies Okungbowa</span> Nigerian author

Suyi Davies Okungbowa is a Nigerian fantasy, science fiction and speculative writer and academic. He is the author of various novels, including The Nameless Republic epic fantasy trilogy, beginning with Son of the Storm. His debut was the godpunk fantasy novel, David Mogo, Godhunter. He has also written works for younger readers under the author name Suyi Davies, including Minecraft: The Haven Trials. His work is heavily influenced by the histories and cultures of West Africa and Nigeria, and discusses themes of identity, challenging difference and finding home. WIRED referred to him as "one of the most promising new voices coterie of African SFF writers." He is an Assistant Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Ottawa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tochi Onyebuchi</span> American science fiction writer

Tochi Onyebuchi is an American science fiction and fantasy writer and former civil rights lawyer. His novella, Riot Baby, received an Alex Award from the American Library Association and the World Fantasy Award in 2021. He is known for incorporating civil rights and Afrofuturism into his stories and novels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nommo Awards</span> African literary award

The Nommo Awards are literary awards presented by The African Speculative Fiction Society. The awards recognize works of speculative fiction by Africans, defined as "science fiction, fantasy, stories of magic and traditional belief, alternative histories, horror and strange stuff that might not fit in anywhere else."

Africanfuturism is a cultural aesthetic and philosophy of science that centers on the fusion of African culture, history, mythology, point of view, with technology based in Africa and not limiting to the diaspora. It was coined by Nigerian American writer Nnedi Okorafor in 2019 in a blog post as a single word. Nnedi Okorafor defines Africanfuturism as a sub-category of science fiction that is "directly rooted in African culture, history, mythology and point-of-view..and...does not privilege or center the West," is centered with optimistic "visions in the future," and is written by "people of African descent" while rooted in the African continent. As such its center is African, often does extend upon the continent of Africa, and includes the Black diaspora, including fantasy that is set in the future, making a narrative "more science fiction than fantasy" and typically has mystical elements. It is different from Afrofuturism, which focuses mainly on the African diaspora, particularly the United States. Works of Africanfuturism include science fiction, fantasy, alternate history, horror and magic realism.

Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki is a Nigerian speculative fiction writer, editor and publisher who is the first African-born Black author to win a Nebula Award. He's also received a World Fantasy Award, British Fantasy Award, Otherwise Award, and two Nommo Awards along with being a multi-time finalist for a number of other honors including the Hugo Award.

<i>Beasts Made of Night</i> 2017 fantasy novel by Tochi Onyebuchi

Beast Made of Night is a 2017 young adult fantasy novel by Nigerian-American novelist Tochi Onyebuchi. It is the first book in a duology set in a magical world inspired by Nigeria.

<i>The Old Drift</i> 2019 novel by Namwali Serpell

The Old Drift is a 2019 historical fiction and science fiction novel by Zambian author Namwali Serpell. Set in Rhodesia/Zambia, it is Serpell's debut novel and follows the lives of three interwoven families in three generations. It won the 2020 Anisfield-Wolf Book Award as well as the Arthur C. Clarke Award.

<i>The Rosewater Insurrection</i> 2019 science fiction novel by Tade Thompson

The Rosewater Insurrection is a 2019 science fiction novel by Tade Thompson. It is the second book in the Wormwood Trilogy. It follows 2016's Rosewater and was followed by The Rosewater Redemption, also published in 2019.

<i>The Rosewater Redemption</i> 2019 science fiction novel by Tade Thompson

The Rosewater Redemption is a 2019 science fiction novel by Tade Thompson. It is the final book in the Wormwood trilogy, preceded by Rosewater (2016) and The Rosewater Insurrection (2019). It was a finalist for the 2020 Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel.

<i>Far from the Light of Heaven</i> 2021 science fiction novel by Tade Thompson

Far from the Light of Heaven is a 2021 science fiction mystery novel by Tade Thompson. It was a finalist for the 2022 Philip K. Dick Award and 2022 Nommo Award for Best Novel.

References

  1. 1 2 Sabine Clerc (22 January 2021). "Nigerian author Tade Thompson takes the science fiction world by storm". The Africa Report . Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Jessica FitzPatrick (27 October 2018). "Tade Thompson's "Rosewater" — An Alien Invasion That "Grows On You"". Los Angeles Review of Books . Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  3. 1 2 Adam Roberts (26 July 2019). "From Black Panther to Tade Thompson: why Afrofuturism is taking over sci-fi". The Guardian . Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  4. ↑ Sian Cain (17 July 2019). "Tade Thompson's 'gritty' alien invasion tale wins Arthur C Clarke award". The Guardian . Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  5. ↑ Silvia Moreno-Garcia; Lavie Tidhar (14 May 2021). "African speculative fiction is finally getting its due. Let's talk about books to seek out". Washington Post . Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  6. ↑ Adam Roberts (4 October 2018). "Rosewater by Tade Thompson review – a stellar SF debut". The Guardian . Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  7. ↑ Gary K. Wolfe (26 December 2018). "Gary K. Wolfe Reviews Rosewater by Tade Thompson". Locus Magazine. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  8. ↑ Isabel Hofmeyr; Aretha Phiri; Grace Musila; Manosa Nthunya; Nedine Moonsamy; Sam Naidu; Sarah Nuttall; Susan Kiguli; Tom Odhiambo (7 May 2020). "Lockdown reading: Eight novels from Africa offer reflections on disease, death and isolation". Scroll.in . Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  9. ↑ "The 2017 Nommo Award Winners". African Speculative Fiction Society. Archived from the original on 15 June 2021. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
  10. ↑ "Tade Thompson is the Winner of the 2019 Arthur C. Clarke Award". Tor.com. 17 July 2019. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  11. ↑ 2020 Hugo Awards, at TheHugoAwards.org; retrieved July 20, 2021
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.