Author | Tochi Onyebuchi |
---|---|
Country | USA; Nigeria |
Language | English |
Genre | Science fiction |
Publisher | Tor Publishing |
Publication date | 21 January 2020 |
Media type | Print (Paperback) |
Pages | 176 |
ISBN | 978-1-250-21475-1 |
Preceded by | War Girls |
Followed by | Rebel Sisters |
Riot Baby is a science fiction novella written by Nigerian-American author Tochi Onyebuchi published in 2020.[1][2][3]
Ella Jackson is a young girl with clairvoyance and telekinetic powers, which she calls her "Thing". Her younger brother Kevin “Kev” is born during the 1992 Los Angeles Riots. Ella’s powers grow as she ages; she has seizure-like episodes that cause furniture to fly around and harm nearby onlookers. After almost accidentally killing her mother, Ella disappears.
Kev is convicted of attempted robbery and incarcerated at Rikers. Ella visits him regularly via astral projection. In a prison riot, Kev realizes that he may also be developing telekinetic powers. Kev’s mother dies while he is imprisoned. He considers suicide but changes his mind, eventually becoming a counselor for other suicidal inmates. After eight years of imprisonment, Kev is released on parole and decides to move back West.
Ella becomes increasingly angry with the violence and racial discrimination directed against Black Americans. She shows Kev a vision of his birth during the riots. In a series of increasingly abstract and violent images, Ella and Kev plan to use their powers to forge a better world for Black people.
Year | Award | Results |
---|---|---|
2020 | Nebula Award for Best Novella[4][5][6] | Nominated |
Goodreads Choice for Science Fiction [7] | Nominated | |
2021 | Alex Award[8][9] | Won |
Locus Award for Best Novella[10] | Nominated | |
World Fantasy Award for Best Novella[11] | Won | |
Hugo Award for Best Novella[12] | Nominated | |
Nommo Award for Best Novella[13][14][15] | Shortlisted | |
Ignyte Award for Best Novella[16] | Won |