The Cambridge Companion to Science Fiction

by Edward James (Editor), Farah Mendlesohn (Editor)

Overview

Science fiction is at the intersection of numerous fields. It is a literature which draws on popular culture, and which engages in speculation about science, history, and all types of social relations. This volume brings together essays by scholars and practitioners of science fiction, which look at the genre from these different angles. After an introduction to the nature of science fiction, historical chapters trace science fiction from Thomas More to more recent years, including a chapter on film and television. The second section introduces four important critical approaches to science fiction drawing their theoretical inspiration from Marxism, postmodernism, feminism and queer theory. The final and largest section of the book looks at various themes and sub-genres of science fiction. A number of well-known science fiction writers contribute to this volume, including Gwyneth Jones, Ken MacLeod, Brian Stableford Andy Duncan, James Gunn, Joan Slonczewski, and Damien Broderick.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781107485808
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	11/20/2003
Series:	Cambridge Companions to Literature
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	2 MB

Table of Contents

List of contributors; Foreword; Acknowledgements; Chronology; Introduction: reading science fiction Farah Mendlesohn; Part I. The History: 1. Science fiction before the genre Brian Stableford; 2. The magazine era: 1926–1960 Brian Attebery; 3. New wave and backwash: 1960–1980 Damien Broderick; 4. Science fiction from 1980 to the present John Clute; 5. Film and television Mark Bould; 6. Science fiction and its editors Gary K. Wolfe; Part II. Critical Approaches: 7. Marxist theory and science fiction Istvan Csicsery-Ronay, Jr; 8. Feminist theory and science fiction Veronica Hollinger; 9. Postmodernism and science fiction Andrew M. Butler; 10. Science fiction and queer theory Wendy Pearson; Part III. Sub-Genres and Themes: 11. The icons of science fiction Gwyneth Jones; 12. Science fiction and the life sciences Joan Slonczewski and Michael Levy; 13. Hard science fiction Kathryn Cramer; 14. Space opera Gary Westfahl; 15. Alternate history Andy Duncan; 16. Utopias and anti-utopias Edward James; 17. Politics and science fiction Ken MacLeod; 18. Gender in science fiction Helen Merrick; 19. Race and ethnicity in science fiction Elisabeth Anne Leonard; 20. Religion and science fiction Farah Mendlesohn; Further reading; Index.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"...an excellent introduction..." Steven Silver's Reviews

"The quality of the writing is consistently high, combining clever observation, crisp phrasing, and edifying illustration. [...] We all should be glad to have the book, which performs a conisiderable and important sevice: it will be a core text of our critical toolbox for years to come." Science Fiction Studies

"An excellent introduction to SF as a field and also a book that can be read with interest by both SF fans and by literature students." Emerald City

Editorial Reviews

"...an excellent introduction..." Steven Silver's Reviews

"The quality of the writing is consistently high, combining clever observation, crisp phrasing, and edifying illustration. [...] We all should be glad to have the book, which performs a conisiderable and important sevice: it will be a core text of our critical toolbox for years to come." Science Fiction Studies

"An excellent introduction to SF as a field and also a book that can be read with interest by both SF fans and by literature students." Emerald City

From the Publisher