Science Fiction

New Critical Idiom

by Adam Roberts

Science Fiction is a fascinating and comprehensive introduction to one of the most popular areas of modern culture. This second edition reflects how the field is rapidly changing in both its practice and its critical reception. With an entirely new conclusion and all other chapters fully reworked and updated, this volume includes:


a concise history of science fiction and the ways in which the genre has been used and defined explanations of key concepts in Science Fiction criticism and theory through chapters such as Gender, Race, Technology and Metaphor examines the interactions between Science Fiction and Science Fact anchors each chapter with a case study drawn from short story, book or film, from Frank Herbert's Dune to Star Wars, from The Left Hand of Darkness to Neuromancer.
Introducing the reader to nineteenth-century, Pulp, Golden Age, New Wave, Feminist and Cyberpunk science fictions, this is the essential contemporary guide to a major cultural movement.

Genres: Science Fiction, Literary Criticism, Theory, Reference, Writing, Criticism, Fiction

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Adam Roberts (born 1965) is an academic, critic and novelist. He also writes parodies under the pseudonyms of A.R.R.R. Roberts, A3R Roberts and Don Brine. He also blogs at The Valve, a group blog devoted to literature and cultural studies.

He has a degree in English from the University of Aberdeen and a PhD from Cambridge University on Robert Browning and the Classics. He teaches English literature and creative writing at Royal Holloway, University of London. Adam Roberts has been nominated twice for the Arthur C. Clarke Award: in 2001, for his debut novel, Salt, and in 2007, for Gradisil.

Reviews

[Airaology · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful in my dissertation. The book defines sci fi, references an array of topics to give a sense of history of said genre, talks about gender and race as well as technology and its metaphor.

For a book that is easily pocketable (easy to carry around) it is dense with information. And it's easy to read, unlike some fancy schmancy books.

Essentially, 'science fiction is scientific fictionalising.' (p.8)

[Peter Baran · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading fifteen year old critical genre studies intros are interesting. The underpinnings are all here (what is SciFi, race, gender, history) but it feels like so much of this conversation has moved on whilst leaving one of the core questions which the book feels is settled by the wayside. That is literally that most science fiction is written badly. Now it is true that much of the better written science fiction has come out after this book was published, but to have it almost as a tenet of the genre feels odd (also to do that and talk so much about Delany and Butler feels insulting). Clear and quick and did raise a few issues I hadn't considered, but then I doubt Roberts would recomend his own book now, things have moved so much.

[Ebenmaessiger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Less an overview than many other putative critical studies, Roberts here set out to move back and forth between chronological narrative and (key: selective) definition of common symbolic modes of science fiction (largely in prose, although more space was given to film [and, boringly, the ones you'd imagine] as the book progressed; a decided negative for this reader), such as gender and race. Roberts writes well, and demonstrates a lucid, analytical mind more at home in intelligent, second-order discussion of sf works than the James, although you can spot the Recent Research on display much more noticeably than you do the still-often pearls of independent wisdom. I guess what I'm just waiting for is something more personal, more idiosyncratic, and more opinionated--the Aldiss book, I imagine. I appreciate, however, Roberts ideological approach here--he nicely dismisses early on the question of whether we're talking about something adjacent to literature or science with this genre: it's obviously a literature; and, as such, he nicely puts down any interest (esp. from critics) in the "predictive" power of sf, as well as any reading interest that arises therefrom.

[David Wing · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book covers the main areas of science fiction discourse but fails to answer it's own questions. Admittedly, the question of when sci-fi began is hard to pin down, I felt the author circled the question and every question without really committing.

[Jeffrey · Rating 2 out of 5]

A few interesting points now and then, mostly ruined by a mind numbing and hoity toity concluding chapter.

[Kasey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was disappointing. I wasn’t expecting entertainment, I read it for class. The first two chapters thoroughly explored multiple perspectives but as soon as it came to discussing gender and race in the genre, it fell completely flat. Roberts was apparently entirely unwilling to actually admit and acknowledge the sexism and racism inherent in early SF and much of SF in general, especially the texts considered to be of the “Golden Age” and part of the “megatext”. His analysis on these points and scattered points throughout other chapters left much to be desired and relied on just listing examples to prove his points instead of an actual interrogation of differentness in SF—despite him repeatedly emphasizing that this is SF’s most important characteristic.

[Sarah Nolan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a really good overview, but it could use some updating—for instance, Roberts capitalizes “white” and not “Black” in his discussions, which feels very uncomfortable in the current academic climate. In addition, there is no distinct discussion of Time in Sci-fi, which felt like a lapse—there are mentions of time travel but no elaboration on alternative histories or how time is used in narratives. In addition, an updated version could benefit from a consideration of dystopia, particularly now that teen dystopian fiction is such a fixture in Sci-fi literature.

[Gareth Beniston · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a clear, rather excellent introduction to SF theory with effective, intriguing case studies. The last chapter in particular, where Roberts draws on the work of Samuel Delaney and Paul Ricoeur to think about metaphor is something I will return to again and again, I suspect, as I try to figure out its implications. Highly recommended.

[j j · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this one. Its a well written introduction to the history of science fiction. The author introduces us to the different sub-genres and their literary significance in addressing social issues. He does it without being pedantic about it. The case studies helps to reiterate his views.

[Ben Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good breakdown of the Sci-Fi Genre, and provides insight into certain novels that delve into specific topics that relate to our society today.

[Derek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slight

[Arthur Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book that occasionally offers an interesting idea but more often than not stumbles around Science Fiction more than providing an introduction to the study. At times it seems like the author is more interested in name dropping books and authors than providing a coherent thought. Naturally, most of these authors and books appear with little explanation with why they should be mentioned. The author tends to have a single tracked mind even when he tries to provide multiple points of view on a subject, a paradox that fits nicely into the single tracked conclusion. Speaking of the conclusion, the author gives one, literally one that simply presents his opinion. What's worse is that the author often writes in assumptive ways. To the author conservative and liberal are black and white beliefs, the prior being racist, sexist, and bad for science fiction and the latter being open minded, inclusive, and visionary. While at times this binary has been true, binaries are not complex enough to provide a fair representation—a belief the author seems to agree with, but often falls victim to. In the politically charged sections of race and gender, this designation of conservatism and liberalism is particularly concerning since the ideal would be that both belief systems accept race and gender equality. The biggest issue is that stereotyping political ideologies is only the beginning of the issues for this introductory book, which is steeped in assumptions and single tracked acceptance of complex issues. Despite my criticism, the book still manages to provide a decent introduction. Its short comings allow just as much of a discourse as its strengths. Considering how difficult writing a good book on theory is, the effort must be given some credit that the author clearly cares about the genre and is doing his best to introduce it. While he may not succeed at providing a good introduction, he does not fail at providing an introduction. As long as this book is read to be discussed, it can be beneficial, but a reader should be wary of reading this book as an authority.

[Robert Wood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Roberts provides a decent introduction to the genre, providing a thumbnail sketch of the history of the genre and its literary criticism. Beyond that, the text provides chapters on a number of themes, ranging from race to gender to technology. It also provides a glossary of terms. I had mixed results using it in my class, but I thought it was an interesting read, even if some of the reading of Suvin is problematic.

[Marta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Concise introduction to sf criticism touching upon all the relevant genre specifics.

Good illustration of sf being more than young adult masculine fixations and second-grade entertainment text. Especially enjoyed the genre and race chapters.

Curious how Roberts went from arguing about SF modernity to later research of antiquity that can be seen in later publications.

[Laura Walin · Rating 3 out of 5]

These books written for academic courses are difficult to rate. Because you need to read they anyway, good or bad. This was a relatively straightforward presentation of SF, outlining the history and the major tropes handled Witheria the genre. The conclusions weren't convincegly based in the text though, and therefore remained a bit superfluous. Thoughtprovoking anyway, which is good.

[Benjamin Fasching-Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

easy to read summary of literary criticism about science fiction with plenty of the author's own opinions. much better than 'science fiction roots and branches' which i couldn't parse.

[Colin · Rating 4 out of 5]

What makes an SF story SF? Roberts takes all the jargon and explains it so comprehensively and so clearly that even I understood it.

[Maddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

NOthing startling here, critically, but did recommend Left Hand of Darkness, for which I am grateful.

[Peregrine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific book. Some of the most interesting literature I've ever had to read for class, and sort of a backgrounder I would recommend for any scifi fan.

[Simon]

Disappointingly mushy and insubstantial.

[Allana · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good starting guide, with basic notions and useful for quick reference. Pretty useful for me in the moment. :)