Everfair

By: Nisi Shawl

Narrated by: Allyson Johnson

Everfair is a wonderful neo-Victorian alternate history novel that explores the question of what might have come of Belgium's disastrous colonization of the Congo if the native populations had learned about steam technology a bit earlier.

Fabian Socialists from Great Britian join forces with African American missionaries to purchase land from the Belgian Congo's "owner", King Leopold II. This land, named Everfair, is set aside as a safe haven, an imaginary utopia for native populations of the Congo, as well as escaped slaves returning from America and other places where African natives were being mistreated.

Nisi Shawl's speculative masterpiece manages to turn one of the worst human rights disasters on record into a marvelous and exciting exploration of the possibilities inherent in a turn of history. Everfair is told from a multiplicity of voices: Africans, Europeans, East Asians, and African Americans in complex relationships with one another, in a compelling range of voices that have historically been silenced. Everfair is not only a beautiful book, but an educational and inspiring one that will give the listener new insight into an often ignored period of history.

©2016 Nisi Shawl (P)2016 Tantor

Critic reviews

"This highly original story blends steampunk and political intrigue in a compelling new view of a dark piece of human history." ( Publishers Weekly)

Excellent Story

An interesting tale set in Africa with a diverse cast of characters. Time well spent.

Wonderful

I love histories told through the eyes of the participants. This re- imagined history is as complex and messy as real life, full of believable, imperfect characters. I was afraid there would be too many characters, from other reviews, but every life was so inter-woven with the others, I didn't have any trouble keeping track. And I was deeply invested in all their stories, and that of Everfair itself.

Praise for Nisi Shawl

Nisi, what an amazing journey we the listeners get to embark upon in this story! I'm so glad you wrote it and so glad I could listen to it. The narrator was superb! She was masterful slipping effortlessly from one accent to the next. I hope to hear her again.

Alternate history steampunk

Nisi Shawl’s Everfair is a packed alternate history in the setting of late nineteenth / early twentieth century steampunk. Beginning with the Fabian Society in conjunction with African missionaries, land is purchased from King Leopold in the Congo. The ‘free state’ becomes a haven for many displaced and disaffected groups from around the globe. The demand for rubber makes this region of considerable interest to many global communities.

Shawl employs multiple perspectives to relate the ongoings within a background of steampunk developments (lots of dirigibles) with variable impacts on global actions beyond Everfair.

The narration is reasonable , but with limited character distinction. Pacing is brisk.

Amazing historical what-if!

Loved the magical realism, and the impressive way the story spans decades! 💕 loved it so much I listened to it twice! Also it was a rather large cast of characters, and I listen while doing other things, so I understood a lot better the second time around lol! Excited to dive into the second book!

Beautiful story

Like another reviewer said, because it covered a 25 year period there were jumps in time-frame that made it feel a little rushed, but it was still a beautiful story. A dream of what-if. It really makes you think.

More character development, please.

The diversity of characters is refreshing. Different races, physical abilities and sexual identities are included effortlessly. However, the book spans so much time and touches on so much complex history that the story arcs of the characters were lacking and left me frustrated. Perhaps it would do well as a screenplay. Overall, I support the novel and author for presenting such a meaningful concept.

Fantastic Premise. Poor execution

I was so thrilled by the premise of this book. The the whole story and it’s many plots and character developments felt rushed to the point that I struggled to hold the thread. There were some bright lights in the world building but these too failed to be fleshed out enough to get a sense of place. The characters often felt flat and undeveloped. I would have liked to see this fleshed out into a longer book or even broken up into a series to be able to see and the events and relationships in the story.

Excellent, immersive

Loved this book. Any one who rated this book poorly is a moron. Get outta here

Belgian Congo Steampunk for the Win!

I loved this book. Especially the cat-riding Fwendy. Well-rounded characters, a fascinating historical revision, a beautiful romance or three, lots of action and intrigue and prejudice and idealism, and the perspectives hop between the heads of an engaging, diverse cast. You won't regret buying this one.