Religion and Science Fiction, An Introduction, by James H. Thrall

Religion and Science Fiction by James H. Thrall

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


As a writer and as a scholar of science fiction, and as someone who fascinated with religion and its expressions in speculative fiction, this book is near and dear to my heart. James Thrall, retired professor and director of the religious studies at Knox College (Galesburg, Illinois) has written an introductory text book that "guides students deeper [a] understanding of how religion and science fiction engage often overlapping questions" (back cover). The topics are wide-ranging, from storytelling, myth and ritual, imagining divinity, evil, sin, and suffering, to the perennial science fiction question of what it means to be human. How do we deal with the other, alien or human, and race and gender? How do we face the end of time?

Thrall considers such questions from a rich reading list, demonstrating his deep knowledge of both religion and science fiction. I felt like I had both been invited to sit on a class I wish I could have taken, and to participate in a long on-going conversation.

Well written, accessible, highly recommended, whether in a class or just interested and intrigued, as I am always by these topics.



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