Everfair by Nisi Shawl
An alternate history / historical fantasy / steampunk novel set in the Belgian Congo, from noted short story writer Nisi Shawl.
Everfair is a wonderful Neo-Victorian alternate history novel that explores the question of what might have come of Belgium’s disastrous colonization of the Congo if the native populations had learned about steam technology a bit earlier. Fabian Socialists from Great Britian join forces with African-American missionaries to purchase land from the Belgian Congo’s “owner,” King Leopold II. This land, named Everfair, is set aside as a safe haven, an imaginary Utopia for native populations of the Congo as well as escaped slaves returning from America and other places where African natives were being mistreated.
Shawl’s speculative masterpiece manages to turn one of the worst human rights disasters on record into a marvelous and exciting exploration of the possibilities inherent in a turn of history. Everfair is told from a multiplicity of voices: Africans, Europeans, East Asians, and African Americans in complex relationships with one another, in a compelling range of voices that have historically been silenced. Everfair is not only a beautiful book but an educational and inspiring one that will give the reader new insight into an often ignored period of history.
Representation Includes
- One of the main relationships in the novel is between a white passing black woman and a white woman. They are in a polyamorous relationship.
Content Warnings
violence, colonialism, racism, sexism, homophobia, more content warnings needed. Help grow this entry by commenting below or by emailing queersffbooks@theillustratedpage.net.Awards
- Nominated for the Nebula Award, John W. Campbell Memorial Award
- Included on the Otherwise Honor List
Reviews
Where to Find
Details
- Published September 6th 2016 by Tor Books (first published August 16th 2016)
- Hardcover (ISBN13: 9780765338051)
- Paperback isbn13: 9780765338068