Talk Like A Man: Plus Women of the Doll, Plus an Awfully Big Adventure and Much More: 24 (Outspoken Authors) - Softcover

“Shawl’s keen sense of justice and their adamant anticolonialism always ride just beneath the surface of their stories. Never didactic, Shawl possesses the gift of a true storyteller: the ability to let the warp and weft of plot and character do their moral work for them.”

— Brian Charles Clark, in Curled Up with a Good Book

 

“A talented and distinctive voice.”

— Daniel Haeusser of The Skiffy and Fanty Show

 

“Nisi Shawl tells stories as if they have just awakened from a vivid and terrifying dream, and they’re intent on relating its details.”

—Seattle Times

 

“Shawl is brilliant.”

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— Amal El-Mohtar on NPR

In these previously uncollected stories, Shawl explores the unexpected horizons (and corners) opened up by science fiction and fantasy’s new diversity. In her worlds, sex can be both business and religion, complete with ancient rites, altars, and ointments (“Women of the Doll”); a virtual reality high school is a proving ground for girlpacks and their unfortunate adversaries (“Walk like a Man”); and a British rock singer finds an image in a mirror that reflects both future hits and ancient horrors (“Something More”). With her trademark wit passing for wisdom, Shawl lights up our Outspoken Interview and then, in a talk given at Duke University, explores the connections between ancient Ifa and modern science fiction.