The Cambridge Companion to Science Fiction (Cambridge Companions to Literature) (Paperback)

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• This item: The Cambridge Companion to Science Fiction (Cambridge Companions to Literature) by Edward James

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• New Encyclopedia of Science Fiction by Peter Nicholls

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• 100 Must-Read Science Fiction Novels by Christopher Priest

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Science Fiction (Cultural History of Literature) by Roger Luckhurst 5.0 out of 5 stars (1)  £17.09

New Encyclopedia of Science Fiction by Peter Nicholls 4.5 out of 5 stars (2)  £20.70

100 Must-Read Science Fiction Novels by Christopher Priest 4.7 out of 5 stars (7)  £4.79

Critical Theory and Science Fiction by Carl Freedman £18.95

Archaeologies of the Future: The Desire Called Utopia and Other Science Fictions by Fredric Jameson £13.59

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Review
‘Overall, the volume is a major achievement. There’s no other book like it on the market, and it will surely become the first point of reference for students coming to the study of SF. The Cambridge Companion to Science Fiction is highly recommended.’ Alien Online

‘The Cambridge Companion to Science Fiction … appears to be structured as an undergraduate teaching resource, although one accessible to both the interested lay reader and to readers and fans with more than a basic knowledge of sf. This, in itself, is something of a feat, and that the Companion pulls it off admirably is a credit to its editors and contributors.’ Vector

'This is a solid, intelligent, sophisticated scholarly assessment from a major academic publisher. Every bit the intellectual equal of other titles in the Cambridge series, it will likely become one of the most referenced secondary works in the study of sf, especially in pedagogical contexts.' Science Fiction Studies

'… an ideal introductory companion for the uninitiated … a range of interesting themes … This book is thought provoking, informative and intelligent. It successfully reveals the critical intricacy of this much-maligned genre … This is an excellent addition to any collection supporting the study of modern English literature and a superb source book for librarians seeking to develop the definitive science fiction collection.' Reference Reviews

'… this is a coherent, well-edited collection, which covers all of the bases and is more than fit for purpose. The production of the book alone, given its scope, must have been a mammoth task and the fact that the whole comes together so well does real credit to its editors.' Foundation

'A thoughtful compilation of ideas about the genre, a bit of history, some politics and good guides make The Cambridge Companion to Science Fiction (Cambridge, £24.99) worth the read.' New Scientist

'… this is one of the best literary companions I have discovered … a comprehensive and clearly accessible guide to current sf writing … Science fiction does what so few of such reader's guides manage. it coveys both rigorous academic erudition and a genuine love and interest in the subject … will do much for the academic study of science fiction in future years.' English

'… it does an excellent job cataloguing and condensing in a mere 300 pagesthe basics as well as some current trends in Science Fiction (Studies). … the book suceeds in offering a comprehensive and inspiring introduction to Science Fiction (Studies). Next to the many brilliant essays it collects it's greatest strength lies in the rich topical surveys of sf literature each contribution supplies, whetting the reader's appetite for these novels which might otherwise slip her/his attention.' Anglia

'… a comprehensive analysis of a literary genre which stands at the intersection of numerous fields. … it retains coherence in style and purpose throughout …' Revue d'études anglophones

Product Description
Science fiction is at the intersection of numerous fields. It is a literature which draws on popular culture, and which engages in speculation about science, history, and all types of social relations. This volume brings together essays by scholars and practitioners of science fiction, which look at the genre from these different angles. After an introduction to the nature of science fiction, historical chapters trace science fiction from Thomas More to more recent years, including a chapter on film and television. The second section introduces four important critical approaches to science fiction drawing their theoretical inspiration from Marxism, postmodernism, feminism and queer theory. The final and largest section of the book looks at various themes and sub-genres of science fiction. A number of well-known science fiction writers contribute to this volume, including Gwyneth Jones, Ken MacLeod, Brian Stableford Andy Duncan, James Gunn, Joan Slonczewski, and Damien Broderick.

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First Sentence
The word 'science' acquired its modern meaning when it took aboard the realization that reliable knowledge is rooted in the evidence of the senses, carefully sifted by deductive reasoning and the experimental testing of generalizations. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover

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2 Reviews 5 star:  (1) 4 star:    (0) 3 star:  (1) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 4.0 out of 5 stars (2 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
Most Helpful Customer Reviews   3 of 3 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Thought-provoking and helpful, 15 Jan 2007 By  Nicholas Whyte (Oud Heverlee, Belgium) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    We are all waiting for the third edition of the Clute/Nicholls Encyclopedia of Science Fiction to appear. In the meantime, this volume of 21 essays on various aspects of sf fulfills the two things I really want from a critical survey: it helps me better understand the sf I have already read, and gives me pointers to writers and books that I might enjoy. Highlights for me: the sequence of five historical essays about the development of science fiction; the three essays basically about sf and sex (dressed up as "feminist theory", "queer theory" and "gender"); and Ken MacLeod's broad survey of sf and politics. I also felt that Andrew Butler's essay on "post-modernism and science fiction" succeeded by critically examining postmodernism as a concept, so that I felt I had learnt something at the end of it. Mark Bould's essay on sf in films and TV is also very good but runs out of steam in about 1970. Two assertions that made me think: Ken MacLeod - a writer with things to say about religion? Alien - like "Bloodchild", a pregnant man story? Low points: Istvan Csicsery-Ronay's essay on Marxist theory and science fiction is without redeeming features. The only interesting bit, his discussion of Jameson, is covered much better by Butler two chapters on. Several of the other chapters spurred me to think that had I the time and library resources I would have liked to try and do a better job. General bias: Well, one can quibble about the omissions (graphic novels; Christopher Priest) but the top four names in the index, ranked by numbers of cross-references, are Heinlein, Le Guin, Wells and Asimov, which seems to me pretty fair. Given the collection's emphasis on issues of sex and sexuality, it's not so very surprising to find Joanna Russ in fifth place, but she is followed by the firmly traditional choices of John W. Campbell, Arthur C. Clarke, Philip K. Dick, and E.E. "Doc" Smith. I would have thought that fans who want to read more broadly about sf, but feel alienated by the Clute lit-crit stuff (as I saw it referred to somewhere; I am not among this number), will find enough in this book to make them feel they got their money's worth. Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)   1 of 1 people found the following review helpful: 3.0 out of 5 stars Rather Disappointing, 17 April 2009 By  Vittorio Caffè (Rome, Italy) - See all my reviews For a Cambridge Companion, this is surprisingly shallow. The other reviewer pinpointed one of the faults of the book; but the chapter about Religion and SF by Mendlesohn is also quite poor. A discussion about religion in SF in a book printed by such a prestigious press which does not mention James Blish's A Case of Coscience? I can't believe it. It's like a book on Renaissance Revenge Tragedy which doesn't mention Hamlet. But what might be even more disappointing is the absence of Philip K. Dick. Of course the author of the chapter is allowed to devote more time to what authors she thinks are more important, but since this is a book that should help students to understand what is sf and what are its most important works and issues, the fact that such novels as VALIS, The Divine Invasion, Radio Free Albemuth, The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch are not mentioned in the context of a discussion of sf and religion is bewildering. All in all, my very personal opinion is that some parts are quite good (McLeod's chapter on politics, but also Butler's on sf & postmodernism and Wolfe's on sf editors), but some are awfully poor and poorly researched. And this should make us ask why did the editors chose those authors for those chapters, which is a question that directly leads to another, why haven't some very important scholars been involved (no, I won't drop names, but anybody who's knowledgeable with sf criticism knows what people I mean). Once again, the editors are free to choose, but then they're responsible for their choices, which are puzzling at best. Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this) Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review › See all 2 customer reviews...		Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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