
Gothic Science Fiction
1980-2010
Liverpool University Press
Published on 3. April 2014
Book
Paperback/Softback
219 pages
978-1-78138-003-1 (ISBN)
Description
This timely book explores what might be termed 'Gothic science fiction' from 1980 to 2010. This designation may at first appear contradictory, as the Gothic's connotations of the irrational and supernatural seem to conflict with the rational foundations of science fiction. However, this collection demonstrates that the two categories in fact overlap and intersect in creatively and critically fruitful ways. Understanding texts of this period by means of this hybrid category allows a fresh examination of their engagement with the dramatic socio-economic changes - in communication technology, medical science, globalization, and global politics - that have transformed the way we live, and for which Gothic science fiction texts provide compelling narrative modes.
The essays in this collection reflect the current willingness among researchers to explore interpretations across genre, form, and discipline, as well as revealing a buoyant field of research in contemporary Gothic and science fiction studies. The collection ranges across narrative media (including literature, film, graphic novels and trading card games) and across genres, taking in horror, science fiction, the Gothic, the New Weird and more. The essays explore questions of genre, medical science, gender, biopower and capitalism, demonstrating the ways in which Gothic science fiction texts stage contemporary concerns around power, anxiety, resistance and capital.
The essays in this collection reflect the current willingness among researchers to explore interpretations across genre, form, and discipline, as well as revealing a buoyant field of research in contemporary Gothic and science fiction studies. The collection ranges across narrative media (including literature, film, graphic novels and trading card games) and across genres, taking in horror, science fiction, the Gothic, the New Weird and more. The essays explore questions of genre, medical science, gender, biopower and capitalism, demonstrating the ways in which Gothic science fiction texts stage contemporary concerns around power, anxiety, resistance and capital.
Reviews / Votes
'This is a successful volume that will appeal to students and scholars of English-language sf. Many of the articles are excellent and will prove to be essential for scholars researching Gothic sf.'Elizabeth Berkebile McManus, Science Fiction Studies Reviews'It's about time that there was a publication such as this, which explores this relationship between the two genres - and the often hybrid nature of that relationship - in a manner that is timely, relevant, and generally, very interesting indeed. This is a valuable collection which should appeal to scholars working in the growing fields of Gothic and SF studies.'
Bernice Murphy
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Liverpool
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-78138-003-1 (9781781380031)
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
Sara Wasson is Lecturer in Literature and Culture at Edinburgh Napier University and author of 'Urban Gothic of the Second World War: Dark London' (Palgrave Macmillan, 2010). Emily Alder is Lecturer in Literature at Edinburgh Napier University.
Content
Acknowledgements
List of illustrations
Foreword - Adam Roberts
Notes on contributors
Introduction - Sara Wasson and Emily Alder
Part I: Redefining Genres
1. In the Zone: Topologies of Genre Weirdness - Roger Luckhurst
2. Zombie Death Drive: Between Gothic and Science Fiction - Fred Botting
Part II: Biopower Capital
3. 'Death is Irrelevant': Gothic Science Fiction and the Biopolitics of Empire - Aris Mousoutzanis
4. 'A Butcher's Shop where the Meat Still Moved': Gothic Doubles, Organ Harvesting and Human Cloning - Sara Wasson
5. Guillermo del Toro's Cronos, or the Pleasures of Impurity - Laurence Davies
6. Infected with Life: Neo-Supernaturalism and the Gothic Zombie - Gwyneth Peaty
7. Ruined Skin: Gothic Genetics and Human Identity in Stephen Donaldson's Gap Cycle - Emily Alder
Part III: Gender and Genre
8. The Superheated, Superdense Prose of David Conway: Gender and Subjectivity Beyond The Starry Wisdom - Mark P. Williams
9. Spatialized Ontologies: Toni Morrison's Science Fiction Traces in Gothic Spaces - Jerrilyn McGregory
10. The Gothic Punk Milieu in Popular Narrative Fictions - Nickianne Moody
11. Gothic Science Fiction in the Steampunk Graphic Novel: The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen - Laura Hilton
Index
List of illustrations
Foreword - Adam Roberts
Notes on contributors
Introduction - Sara Wasson and Emily Alder
Part I: Redefining Genres
1. In the Zone: Topologies of Genre Weirdness - Roger Luckhurst
2. Zombie Death Drive: Between Gothic and Science Fiction - Fred Botting
Part II: Biopower Capital
3. 'Death is Irrelevant': Gothic Science Fiction and the Biopolitics of Empire - Aris Mousoutzanis
4. 'A Butcher's Shop where the Meat Still Moved': Gothic Doubles, Organ Harvesting and Human Cloning - Sara Wasson
5. Guillermo del Toro's Cronos, or the Pleasures of Impurity - Laurence Davies
6. Infected with Life: Neo-Supernaturalism and the Gothic Zombie - Gwyneth Peaty
7. Ruined Skin: Gothic Genetics and Human Identity in Stephen Donaldson's Gap Cycle - Emily Alder
Part III: Gender and Genre
8. The Superheated, Superdense Prose of David Conway: Gender and Subjectivity Beyond The Starry Wisdom - Mark P. Williams
9. Spatialized Ontologies: Toni Morrison's Science Fiction Traces in Gothic Spaces - Jerrilyn McGregory
10. The Gothic Punk Milieu in Popular Narrative Fictions - Nickianne Moody
11. Gothic Science Fiction in the Steampunk Graphic Novel: The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen - Laura Hilton
Index