The stories we tell about the past can determine the way we understand the present. But what happens when we combine tales of magic and fantasy with some of the most traumatic chapters in history? I talk with novelists P. Djeli Clark, Nisi Shawl, and Zen Cho about how speculative fiction can be a useful tool to reimagine the legacy of colonialism and imperialism. Plus, we hear readings from actress Nneka Okoye.\nBooks mentioned in this episode:\n\n\nA Master of Djinn by P. Djeli Clark\n\n\nEverfair by Nisi Shawl\n\n\nSorcerer to The Crown by Zen Cho\n\n\nBabel, or The Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators\u2019 Revolution by R. F. Kuang (author of The Poppy War series)\n\n\nA Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine\n\n\nNisi also recommends:\n\n\nA Stranger in Olondria by Sofia Samatar\n\n\nThe Dominion of the Fallen series by Aliette de Bodard\xa0\n\nThe works of L Timmel Duchamp and Margaret Killjoy\n\n\n\nThis episode is sponsored by Aspiration Zero credit card. Our ad partner is Multitude. If you\u2019re interested in advertising on Imaginary Worlds, you can contact them here.\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices