Picture a British-Nigerian psychiatrist weaving alien invasions into vibrant Nigerian landscapes—meet Tade Thompson! This award-winning science fiction author has redefined the genre with his Wormwood Trilogy, blending Africanfuturism, cyberpunk, and psychological depth. From his debut novel to his groundbreaking novellas, Thompson’s stories captivate with their bold originality and human-centered narratives.
The Making of Tade Thompson
Born in London to Yoruba parents, Tade Thompson moved to Nigeria at age seven, immersing himself in a rich cultural tapestry that would later shape his writing. He studied medicine and social anthropology in Nigeria, eventually specializing in psychiatry. Returning to the UK in 1998, he settled on England’s south coast, balancing a demanding career at St James’ Hospital in Portsmouth with his passion for storytelling. His early love for literature, sparked by his father’s home library and a teenage James Bond pastiche, set the stage for a remarkable writing career.
Tade Thompson’s Unforgettable Stories
Thompson burst onto the scene with Making Wolf (2015), a gritty crime thriller about a supermarket detective entangled in a West African murder mystery. The novel won the Kitschies Golden Tentacle Award for best debut, showcasing his knack for blending genres. His Wormwood Trilogy—Rosewater (2016), The Rosewater Insurrection (2019), and The Rosewater Redemption (2019)—cemented his reputation. Set in a futuristic Nigeria, Rosewater follows Kaaro, a psychic agent navigating an alien biodome’s mysteries. The trilogy, which won the Arthur C. Clarke Award and Nommo Award, merges Africanfuturism with noir and biopunk, exploring identity and colonization. Thompson’s Molly Southbourne novellas, starting with The Murders of Molly Southbourne (2017), delve into psychological horror, with a protagonist whose blood spawns deadly doppelgängers. His vivid prose, rooted in Yoruba culture and psychiatric insight, creates immersive worlds that challenge sci-fi norms.
Thompson’s style is a genre-bending tapestry, weaving African settings with speculative elements. His focus on human emotions—loneliness, resilience, alienation—grounds even the wildest sci-fi premises. Critics praise his ability to subvert expectations, offering fresh perspectives on alien invasion narratives from a formerly colonized viewpoint.
Why Tade Thompson Matters
Tade Thompson has reshaped science fiction by centering African voices and experiences, challenging the genre’s historical dominance by Western narratives. His work in Africanfuturism amplifies Nigerian culture, blending Yoruba mythology with futuristic visions. As a psychiatrist, he brings a unique lens to character psychology, making his stories resonate deeply. With adaptations like The Murders of Molly Southbourne optioned for Netflix, Thompson’s influence is expanding, inspiring readers and writers to embrace diverse speculative fiction.
About Tade Thompson
- Born: London, England, to Yoruba parents
- Key Works: Making Wolf, Wormwood Trilogy, Molly Southbourne series
- Awards: Arthur C. Clarke Award (2019), Nommo Award, Kitschies Golden Tentacle
- Fun Fact: He’s a jazz enthusiast and bakes “deformed” bread!
Ready to explore a sci-fi world unlike any other? Snag Rosewater and dive into Tade Thompson’s genre-bending Africanfuturism!