Immortal Engines: Life Extension and Immortality in Science Fiction and Fantasy

by George Edgar Slusser (Editor), Gary Westfahl (Editor)

These nineteen original essays seek to recontextualize the subject of immortality, examining its influence as an ancient human aspiration while at the same time considering new scientific advances and their impact on life and literature. Grouped in three broad categories, the essays provide key information about and concepts of immortality, examine science fiction stories and scientific research to consider the prospects and possible effects of achieving immortality, and discuss immortality and life extension as literary themes. The topics the essays focus on, as well as the perspectives of the contributors, range genetics, cryonics, Marxism, Darwinism, cyberspace, feminist writing, religion, Italian science fiction, film, children's literature, video games, and comic books.

260 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1996

Reviews

[Jonathan · Rating 1 out of 5]

There is some literary criticism that is written so that anyone can understand and get more meaning out of the primary work. Then there is stuff like this that makes you understand exactly why the majority of the population hates academics.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was full of so many wonderful articles covering science fiction from its birth (and before) to the cyberpunk movement and while there were a few essays that were flat-out boring and/or pedantic as hell, overall I think it was really thought-provoking as a whole. Some were a bit on the short side so it was more a sampling than anything, I think, but really interesting.