Speculative Modernism

How Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Conceived the Twentieth Century

AvWilliam Gillard,James Reitter

Häftad, Engelska, 2021

Del i serien Critical Explorations in Science Fiction and Fantasy

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Beskrivning

Speculative modernists--that is, British and American writers of science fiction, fantasy and horror during the late 19th and early 20th centuries--successfully grappled with the same forces that would drive their better-known literary counterparts to existential despair. Building on the ideas of the 19th-century Gothic and utopian movements, these speculative writers anticipated literary Modernism and blazed alternative literary trails in science, religion, ecology and sociology. Such authors as H.G. Wells and H.P. Lovecraft gained widespread recognition--budding from them, other speculative authors published fascinating tales of individuals trapped in dystopias, of anti-society attitudes, post-apocalyptic worlds and the rapidly expanding knowledge of the limitless universe. This book documents the Gothic and utopian roots of speculative fiction and explores how these authors played a crucial role in shaping the culture of the new century with their darker, more evolved themes.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum:2021-11-04
Mått:152 x 229 x 13 mm
Vikt:345 g
Format:Häftad
Språk:Engelska
Serie:Critical Explorations in Science Fiction and Fantasy
Antal sidor:253
Förlag:McFarland & Co Inc
ISBN:9781476683331

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Mer om författaren

William Gillard teaches creative writing and literature at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh and is the author of six books. He lives in Appleton, Wisconsin. James Reitter is an associate professor of English and film studies at Dominican University New York. He publishes poetry in magazines and journals. Robert Stauffer specializes in medieval and Renaissance literature at Dominican University New York. He has published science-fiction short stories and several articles on baseball.

Recensioner i media

“A fascinating study. The authors examine a wide range of works, put them together in interesting ways, and ultimately make a contribution to how we think about the modernist era and these ‘speculative modernist’ texts.”—Michael R. Page, author, The Literary Imagination from Erasmus Darwin to H.G. Wells

Innehållsförteckning

Table of ContentsAcknowledgmentsPrefaceIntroduction1. UtocalypseAll Will Be Well: The Utopian Roots of Speculative ModernismThe Screw Turns: Bleak Reality Murders OptimismAnti-Utopians: The Individual Versus SocietyConclusion2. Shadows at the TurnGothic Origins of Speculative ModernismGothic Extensions: Doppelgängers to VampiresGhosts and the UnexplainedConclusion3. This Island Earth: Nature vs. Speculative ModernistsScience Will Bend Nature to Serve Humanity: The Utopian PerspectiveThere Are Things We Can Never Know: The Purple Cloud and the Limits of ScienceBeyond This Place and Time: The Natural World Will Outlast UsWeaponizing Nature: Understanding the Non-Human World in Order to Destroy ItConclusion4. Worlds BeyondWhat Do We Really Have to Offer?They Want What We Want“We’re Down; We’re Beat”: Humanity’s DefeatConclusion5. MachinocracyA Species in Distress: Machines Will Save HumanitySand in the Gears: Machines Can’t Save UsBuilding the Perfect Gun: Machines Will Kill Us AllConclusion6. Divine SecretsThe Benevolent Universe: Spiritual Rewards for the Speculative ModernistCruel Reality: Monsters Lurking Beyond the VeilThe Neutral Universe: Our Truth Lies Within OurselvesConclusion7. We Are Fortunately FlawedSherlock Holmes: Ego and Ultra-RationalismTarzan: Natural Law and the Laws of ManBuck Rogers: Future PerfectKing Kull: Governing by AxeConan the Cimmerian: Blood on SteelJirel of Joiry: Darkness and LightConclusionEpilogueThe Editorial TastemakersThe Book Publishers Who Made the Old New AgainConan as ChronicleChapter NotesWorks CitedIndex