The Cambridge Companion to Science Fiction

This volume brings together essays by scholars and practitioners of science fiction.

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

9780521016575, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 20 November 2003

323 pages
22.9 x 15.3 x 2.1 cm, 0.48 kg

'… a comprehensive analysis of a literary genre which stands at the intersection of numerous fields. … it retains coherence in style and purpose throughout …' Revue d'études anglophones

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.

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.

Subject Areas: Literary studies: from c 1900 - [DSBH], Literary studies: c 1800 to c 1900 [DSBF], Literary studies: c 1500 to c 1800 [DSBD], Literary theory [DSA]