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Tag Archives: science fiction
A Rant on Exclusion and Genre Pedantry
The other day, I read a fascinating (and wonderfully titled) essay by Simon Spanton, Deputy Publishing Director for Gollancz, wherein he discusses speculative fiction’s relationship to mainstream literary fiction. At first, the thought of yet another volley in the interminable … Continue reading
REVIEW: A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan
Title: A Natural History of Dragons: A Memoir by Lady Trent Author: Marie Brennan Pub Date: February 5th, 2012 Chris’ Rating (5 possible): An Attempt at Categorization If You Like… / You Might Like… Shades of Milk and Honey Tooth … Continue reading
The Anatomy and Value of Fictional Violence
Two months ago, Sherwood Smith and Steve Gould both urged me to read Bernard Cornwell’s Sharpe books, and I am quite glad that I took their advice. The Sharpe stories are historical fiction, set during the Napoleonic wars and featuring … Continue reading
What is Science Fiction for?
NOTE: Thank you so much to everyone who wished us health and safety during and after Hurricane Sandy! I’m happy to report that we’ve got power, cell service, Internet, and cable TV all working again. Thanks again. If anyone wants … Continue reading
Posted in fantasy, Genre Observations, horror, Science Fiction, Writing
Tagged Christopher Priest, criticism, genre, Genre Purpose, Literary Theory, Paul Kincaid, science fiction, writing
4 Comments
Why Do Thrillers Outsell Science Fiction?
I’ve written before about the relationship between spy fiction and science fiction, but after recently re-reading Tom Clancy’s The Hunt for Red October, the relationship is even further solidified in my mind. While Fleming and Le Carré provide good examples … Continue reading
On Where Genres Come From and How to Stitch Them Together
Victor Frankenstein had it easy. He had to muck about with viscera and body parts, and though the result was an eight-foot tall, sallow-skinned monster, at least human anatomy provided him with a map to follow. Writers don’t have such … Continue reading
Posted in fantasy, Genre Observations, Science Fiction, specfic, Writing
Tagged criticism, fantasy, Frankenstein, genre, horror, Literary Theory, science fiction, Speculative Fiction, Theory, writing
4 Comments
“Science Fiction” and Literature – or Thoughts on Delany and the Plurality of Interprative Processes
NOTE: Once again, I apologize for posting this a bit later than usual. I’m abroad for only one more week, though, and then we’re back to our regular Tuesday schedule. I’ve long believed that Samuel Delany is one of the … Continue reading
Posted in fantasy, Genre Observations, Science Fiction, specfic, writing
Tagged About Writing, criticism, fantasy, Genre Observations, Literary Theory, Samuel R. Delany, science fiction, writing
3 Comments
The Uses and Value of Realism in Speculative Fiction
I’ve just gotten back, having spent a wonderful long weekend at Readercon, where it was great to see old friends and meet new ones. Alas, my brain is too full of valuable insights to really do a single comprehensive con … Continue reading
BEA 2012 (Day 1): The Relationship of Speculative Fiction to Mainstream
NOTE: This is a brief write-up of Tuesday, June 5th, the first full day of BEA. You can find my write-up of the pre-BEA Book Bloggers Conference here, and I’ll do a write-up of the second day (Wednesday) tomorrow. Overall … Continue reading
Posted in Event Reviews, fantasy, Genre Observations, Science Fiction, specfic
Tagged BEA, BookExpo America, Event Review, fantasy, review, science fiction, Speculative Fiction
4 Comments
Accessibility: Speculative Fiction’s Pernicious Strawman
NOTE: My thinking here is a bit of a tangential response to some of John H. Stevens’ recent Erudite Ogre columns over at SF Signal. I strongly recommend those columns as an insightful exploration of genre and genre identity. Here’s … Continue reading
