Dark Fantastic: Race and the Imagination from Harry Potter to the Hunger Games

The Dark Fantastic explores the lack of representation and imagination in children's and young adult media, focusing on four black girl protagonists from popular stories. It reveals how these characters mirror the violence against black and brown people in our own world, and offers new possibilities through fanfiction and counter-storytelling.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 22 September 2020
Publisher: New York University Press

The Dark Fantastic is a captivating and thought-provoking exploration of race in popular youth and young adult speculative fiction. Drawing from her experiences as a YA novelist, fanfiction writer, and scholar of education, Thomas delves into the narratives of four black girl protagonists from some of the most popular stories of the early 21st century: Bonnie Bennett from The CW's The Vampire Diaries, Rue from Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games, Gwen from the BBC's Merlin, and Angelina Johnson from J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter. Through meticulous analysis of their stories and the audience's reactions, Thomas unveils how these characters serve as mirrors to the violence experienced by black and brown people in our world.

In response to this reality, Thomas explores and builds upon a rich tradition of fantasy and radical imagination in Black feminism and Afrofuturism to unveil new possibilities. Through the lens of fanfiction, she reimagines and subverts these narratives, offering alternative perspectives and empowering black girl protagonists. The Dark Fantastic is a powerful testament to the transformative power of literature and the importance of representation in shaping our understanding of the world.

The diversity crisis in children's and young adult media extends beyond mere representation to a lack of imagination. Speculative fiction, with its promise of escape into other worlds, attracts people from diverse backgrounds. However, when individuals of color seek entryways into the fantastic, they often encounter barriers. This issue permeates not only children's publishing but also the television and film executives responsible for adapting these stories into visual mediums.

When characters of color do appear in popular youth and young adult speculative fiction, they are often marginalized or subjected to violence. This reinforcement of the notion that not all lives matter serves to perpetuate systemic inequalities. The Dark Fantastic seeks to challenge these narratives and provide a platform for black girl protagonists to thrive and overcome adversity.

In her book, Thomas examines the narratives of four black girl protagonists from various popular stories. She analyzes their stories and audience reactions to shed light on how these characters mirror the violence against black and brown people in our world. Through this lens, she uncovers and builds upon a tradition of fantasy and radical imagination in Black feminism and Afrofuturism to offer new possibilities for representation and empowerment.

Fanfiction plays a significant role in Thomas' exploration. By reimagining and subverting these narratives through fanfiction, she creates spaces where black girl protagonists can take center stage and rewrite their own stories. Fanfiction allows for the exploration of alternative perspectives, the subversion of stereotypes, and the empowerment of marginalized voices. Through her work, Thomas demonstrates how fanfiction can be a powerful tool for challenging the status quo.

The Dark Fantastic is not only a valuable contribution to the field of speculative fiction but also to discussions about race and representation in media. It highlights the need for more diverse and imaginative storytelling that reflects the rich tapestry of human experiences. By offering alternative perspectives and empowering black girl protagonists, The Dark Fantastic contributes to the ongoing conversation about the importance of diversity and inclusivity in all forms of media.

In conclusion, The Dark Fantastic is a captivating and thought-provoking exploration of race in popular youth and young adult speculative fiction. Through the lens of fanfiction, Thomas offers new possibilities for representation and empowerment, challenging the narratives that perpetuate systemic inequalities. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in speculative fiction, race, and representation, and a testament to the power of literature to shape our understanding of the world.

Weight: 372g
Dimension: 151 x 227 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781479806072