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Africa, the Third World, and the Global South: Rethinking the Possibility of Science Fiction Realism
2023, 43 (5):
163-171.
As a controversial view in literary creation, “science fiction realism” does not necessarily entail a restriction of imagination. On the contrary, if realism, as a profound tradition of human literature, can nourish science fiction with its abundant connotations and diverse forms, this genre could enable people to explore the laws governing the real world and satisfy their need for self-expression in an era conducive to the development of science fiction. In this regard, African science fiction, which emerged with the rise of “Afrofuturism,” has inherited the realistic tradition of African literature's critical pursuit of totality in its unique trajectory. Hence, it holds value as a study subject for contemporary Chinese science fiction. For the latter, African science fiction draws nourishment from local knowledge, imagination, and practice; more importantly, it serves as a harginger of the future. Considering the historical memory of the Third World, the shared reality of the Global South, and the “unprecedented changes in a century,” China and Africa provide each other with crucial sources of experience and imagination. This presents a significant opportunity for Chinese science fiction to unshackle its imagination, embrace creativity, engage with the world's totality, and envision a new world.
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