Picture a Jamaican-born American storyteller who spun sharp, satirical tales about modern Black life—meet Nafissa Thompson-Spires! With her 2018 debut, Heads of the Colored People, she burst onto the literary scene, blending humor, heart, and unflinching insight. Her stories, often described as 'way-smart' and 'verbally inventive,' have earned her accolades and a devoted following.
Born in San Diego in 1983, Thompson-Spires brings a fresh perspective to contemporary fiction. Her work dances between dark comedy and poignant drama, tackling race, identity, and the quirks of middle-class life with a style that’s uniquely her own. Let’s dive into her journey, stories, and why she’s a must-read voice in today’s literature.
The Making of Nafissa Thompson-Spires
Raised in Southern California, Nafissa Thompson-Spires grew up in a world of books, devouring everything from Judy Blume to Toni Morrison. Her academic path was equally impressive—she earned a PhD in English from Vanderbilt University and an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Illinois. These experiences sharpened her literary lens, blending scholarly depth with a storyteller’s flair. Early on, her writing appeared in outlets like StoryQuarterly and The Feminist Wire, hinting at the bold voice to come.
Her Jamaican roots and American upbringing infuse her work with a layered perspective. As she told The Guardian, she wanted to write about 'nerdy Black people'—characters like herself, navigating identity in ways that felt underrepresented. Workshops like Callaloo and Tin House further honed her craft, setting the stage for her breakout debut.
Nafissa Thompson-Spires’s Unforgettable Stories
Thompson-Spires’s debut, Heads of the Colored People (2018), is a short story collection that’s as hilarious as it is heart-wrenching. Drawing its title from 19th-century abolitionist James McCune Smith, the book explores Black identity in a so-called post-racial era. Stories like 'Belles Lettres,' where mothers trade snarky notes via their kids’ backpacks, showcase her knack for satire, while 'Wash Clean the Bones' delves into grief with gut-punching clarity. The collection won the PEN Open Book Award, the Los Angeles Times Art Seidenbaum Award, and a Hurston/Wright Legacy Award, and was longlisted for the National Book Award.
Her style is a vibrant mix of wit, cultural critique, and empathy. Critics like George Saunders praise her 'vivid, fast, funny' prose, while Kiese Laymon calls her work a blend of Toni Cade Bambara and Junot Díaz with a wholly original twist. Thompson-Spires’s stories often center middle-class Black characters—cosplayers, academics, teens—grappling with respectability and authenticity. Her forthcoming novel, a tongue-in-cheek murder mystery, promises to push her storytelling even further.
Beyond her debut, she’s contributed to anthologies like Fourteen Days and published essays in The Paris Review and The 1619 Project. Her ability to weave humor with heavy topics like chronic illness (she lives with endometriosis) makes her work resonate deeply.
Why Nafissa Thompson-Spires Matters
Nafissa Thompson-Spires is redefining Black literature by spotlighting stories that feel both universal and specific. Her focus on 'nerdy' Black experiences—think anime fans and awkward academics—challenges stereotypes and expands the narrative of Black identity. As Electric Literature notes, she’s crafting 'a new narrative in the canon of Black literature,' one that’s forward-looking and free from the weight of traditional tropes.
Her impact extends to her role as an educator at Cornell University, where she inspires the next generation of writers. By tackling taboos like chronic pain and microaggressions with humor and heart, she invites readers to laugh, reflect, and empathize. Her work is a bridge between literary fiction and cultural commentary, making her a vital voice in today’s world.
- Born: 1983, San Diego, California
- Key Work: Heads of the Colored People (2018)
- Awards: PEN Open Book Award, Los Angeles Times Art Seidenbaum Award, Hurston/Wright Legacy Award
- Fun Fact: She’s a fan of ’80s new wave and ’90s grunge music!
Snag Heads of the Colored People and dive into Nafissa Thompson-Spires’s sharp, soulful world of stories—you won’t be able to put it down!