The Anatomy of Utopia
Narration, Estrangement and Ambiguity in More, Wells, Huxley and Clarke
Will be published approx. on 31. August 2010
Book
Paperback/Softback
244 pages
978-0-7864-4036-8 (ISBN)
Description
Since the early rise of the novel, utopian stories have held the public imagination. This critical text argues that though these books are commonly seen as social statements or ideological propaganda, they should be treated as literary texts, not as blueprints for a human community. Thomas More's Utopia, H.G. Wells's A Modern Utopia, Aldous Huxley's Brave New World, and Arthur C. Clarke's The City and the Stars are examined as texts representative of utopianism during specific historical periods. This thoughtful study is a vital addition to critical discussion of utopian literature.
Reviews / Votes
"Pinter's careful rehabilitation of the utopian genre is very welcome...convincing...riveting...provides superlative evidence that the critical engagement with these fictional visions of (seemingly) perfect worlds is not only an entirely legitimate but indeed a highly entertaining and captivating enterprise...a valuable contribution to utopia studies"-variations; "some interesting points are scattered throughout and the book will reward readers interested in the subject matter"-Critical Mass; "very readable...a book that students of utopia should examine"-Extrapolation; "recommend"-The Wellsian; "a solid piece of scholarship and impeccably edited...valuable"-Hungarian Journal of English and American Studies; "careful and solidly grounded approach"-Journal of the Fantastic in the Arts; "well written"-Science Fiction Studies.More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Jefferson, NC
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Interest Age: From 18 years
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
notes, bibliography, index
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
405 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7864-4036-8 (9780786440368)
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
Karoly Pinter is a university professor of American cultrure at PPKE in Budapest, Hungary.
Content
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Foreword by Patrick Parrinder
Introduction
1. Utopia the Protean Concept
2. Encounters with a Stranger
3. Glimpses of a Moving Picture
4. After Utopia? Anti-Utopia and Science Fiction in the 20th Century
Conclusion
Chapter Notes
Bibliography
Index
Acknowledgments
Foreword by Patrick Parrinder
Introduction
1. Utopia the Protean Concept
2. Encounters with a Stranger
3. Glimpses of a Moving Picture
4. After Utopia? Anti-Utopia and Science Fiction in the 20th Century
Conclusion
Chapter Notes
Bibliography
Index