Title: The Sorcerer of the Wildeeps
Author: Kai Ashante Wilson
First published September 1, 2015
212 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780765385246 (ISBN10: 0765385244)
Rating: 3.55
Overview
“Being Peace” has been a timeless and cherished book since its release in 1987. Thich Nhat Hanh’s clear and accessible writing style teaches readers how to cultivate a peaceful mind and body, leading to a more harmonious world.
In this book, we learn how to transform challenging situations into opportunities for mindfulness practice. With Thich Nhat Hanh’s guidance, readers can learn to live with greater ease, compassion, and joy.
About the Author
If you’re looking for some great reads, check out Kai Ashante Wilson’s works. You can find “Super Bass” and “The Devil in America,” which was nominated for a Nebula award, for free on Tor.com.
You can also read his story “Légendaire” in the anthology “Stories for Chip,” a tribute to the great science fiction writer Samuel Delany. Wilson’s debut novel, “The Sorcerer of the Wildeeps,” won the Crawford Award in 2016.
He currently resides in New York City.
Editoral Review
Kai Ashante Wilson’s The Sorcerer of the Wildeeps is a stunning speculative fiction novel that defies easy categorization. Published in 2015, this genre-bending work blends elements of afrofuturism, fantasy, and magical realism with exquisite prose and complex characters.
Wilson’s writing is atmospheric and poetic, imbuing every sentence with a sense of lyrical beauty that draws the reader into a vividly realized world. Set in a fantastical version of medieval Africa, The Sorcerer of the Wildeeps follows the journey of two men on a mission to deliver a caravan of supplies to a distant city through treacherous wilderness.
The first, Demane, is a sorcerer whose mysterious powers are both feared and honored by those he travels with. The second, Captain, is a soldier who commands the caravan with stoic determination.
As they travel further into the Wildeeps, the dangers they face grow ever more perilous, from monstrous creatures to treacherous terrain. Along the way, Demane and Captain grapple with their own identities, their relationships with one another, and the secrets that they carry with them.
At its core, The Sorcerer of the Wildeeps is a story about power, identity, and the experience of being an outsider. Wilson explores these themes through the lens of afrofuturism, infusing his work with a sense of cultural history and identity that is rarely seen in speculative fiction.
His use of African myth and folklore creates a rich tapestry of story that feels wholly unique and deeply resonant. The novel’s characters are its greatest strength, with Demane and Captain being complex, fully-realized individuals.
Their relationship is at the heart of the story, and Wilson does an excellent job of exploring the nuances of their dynamic without ever falling into clich. Demane is a particularly compelling protagonist, with his mysterious powers and enigmatic backstory.
The supporting cast is also well-drawn, with each character feeling like a fully-fleshed out individual. The Sorcerer of the Wildeeps is not without its flaws, however.
The novel’s pacing can be uneven, with certain sections feeling slow or meandering. Additionally, the work’s experimental style may not be to everyone’s taste, with elements of magical realism and unconventional sentence structure potentially alienating some readers.
Despite these limitations, The Sorcerer of the Wildeeps is an astonishing work of speculative fiction that deserves the attention of any fan of the genre. Wilson’s writing is simply unparalleled, with each sentence flowing from one to the next in a way that is both effortless and masterful.
The novel’s themes and characters are deeply resonant, with Wilson exploring issues of race, power, and identity in ways that feel fresh and urgent. Ultimately, The Sorcerer of the Wildeeps is a work of rare beauty and sophistication, and a testament to the power of truly excellent speculative fiction.
Rating: 4/5
