Modern Science Fiction: A Critical Analysis
The Seminal 1951 Thesis with a New Introduction and Commentary
Published on 7. June 2018
Book
Paperback/Softback
213 pages
978-1-4766-7319-6 (ISBN)
Description
James Gunn--one of the founding figures of science fiction scholarship and teaching--wrote in 1951 what is likely the first master's thesis on modern science fiction. Portions were in the short-lived pulp magazine Dynamic but it has otherwise remained unavailable.
Here in its first full publication, the thesis explores many of the classic Golden Age stories of the 1940s and the critical perspective that informed Gunn's essential genre history Alternate Worlds and his anthology series The Road to Science Fiction.
The editor's introduction and commentary show the historical significance of Gunn's work and its relevance to today's science fiction studies.
Here in its first full publication, the thesis explores many of the classic Golden Age stories of the 1940s and the critical perspective that informed Gunn's essential genre history Alternate Worlds and his anthology series The Road to Science Fiction.
The editor's introduction and commentary show the historical significance of Gunn's work and its relevance to today's science fiction studies.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Jefferson, NC
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Interest Age: From 18 years
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
appendix, notes, bibliography, index
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight
355 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4766-7319-6 (9781476673196)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
The late James Gunn was emeritus professor of English at the University of Kansas and the author or editor of 45 books and 100+ short stories. A former president of both the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America and the Science Fiction Research Association, he received their lifetime awards and induction into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame. He lived in Lawrence, Kansas. Michael R. Page is a lecturer in the English department at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Content
Table of Contents
Foreword deleteGary K. Wolfe
Preface: "When Modern Science Fiction Was Modern" deleteJames Gunn
Editor's Introduction deleteMichael R. Page
Modern Science Fiction: A Critical Analysis by James Gunn
Introduction
Part One-"Some of Us Are Looking at the Stars": The Philosophy of Science Fiction
Part Two: "Through Caverns Measureless to Man": The Plot Forms of Science Fiction
Section One: Plots of Circumstance
Chapter One: A Being in an Alien Environment
Chapter Two: Modern Man in the Modern World
Chapter Three: A Past Being in the Past
Chapter Four: A Future Being in a Future World
Chapter Five: Mutations
Conclusion to Plots of Circumstance
Section Two: Plots of Creation
Chapter One: The Creation of New Life or New Forms Thereof
Chapter Two: Experimentation in Other Fields
Conclusion
Appendix: Distribution Chart
Chapter Notes deleteMichael R. Page
Bibliography
Fiction Works Cited deleteJames Gunn
Critical Works Cited deleteJames Gunn
Works Cited in Editor's Introduction deleteMichael R. Page
Index
Foreword deleteGary K. Wolfe
Preface: "When Modern Science Fiction Was Modern" deleteJames Gunn
Editor's Introduction deleteMichael R. Page
Modern Science Fiction: A Critical Analysis by James Gunn
Introduction
Part One-"Some of Us Are Looking at the Stars": The Philosophy of Science Fiction
Part Two: "Through Caverns Measureless to Man": The Plot Forms of Science Fiction
Section One: Plots of Circumstance
Chapter One: A Being in an Alien Environment
Chapter Two: Modern Man in the Modern World
Chapter Three: A Past Being in the Past
Chapter Four: A Future Being in a Future World
Chapter Five: Mutations
Conclusion to Plots of Circumstance
Section Two: Plots of Creation
Chapter One: The Creation of New Life or New Forms Thereof
Chapter Two: Experimentation in Other Fields
Conclusion
Appendix: Distribution Chart
Chapter Notes deleteMichael R. Page
Bibliography
Fiction Works Cited deleteJames Gunn
Critical Works Cited deleteJames Gunn
Works Cited in Editor's Introduction deleteMichael R. Page
Index