Science Fiction: Its Criticism and Teaching

by Patrick Parrinder

This book, first published in 1980, examines issues such as the definition of the genre, its function as social criticism and as an embodiment and critique of the scientific outlook. In order to work towards a more comprehensive view of the genre, the author analyses science fiction by turns as a mode of popular literature, as a socially responsible and quasi-realistic form of writing, and as a home for a fantastic and parodic use of language. How much are 'future histories', to name but one type of SF, the answer to a frustration of the epic impulse? These questions and more are closely examined in this lively and informative book.

188 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

Patrick Parrinder took his MA and Ph.D. at Cambridge University, where he held a Fellowship at King's College and published his first two books on Wells, H. G. Wells (1970) and H. G. Wells: The Critical Heritage (1972). He has been Chairman of the H. G. Wells Society and editor of The Wellsian, and has also written on James Joyce, science fiction, literary criticism and the history of the English novel. His book Shadows of the Future (1995) brings together his interests in Wells, science fiction and literary prophecy. Since 1986 he has been Professor of English at the University of Reading.

Reviews

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even though I wouldn't have picked this up if it weren't for my thesis, I still found this a very interesting read.
It explains the Science-Fiction genre in detail: what its main characteristics are, why it's considered paraliterature (popular literature) and not 'High' literature, why the name change to speculative fiction, and why it should be a necessary course in not just literature studies, but it might also form a lower threshold into the world of science....