Is Science Fiction Going Out of Date? by Margaret Atwood In: Science Fiction-Documents of Contemporary Art ed by Dan Byrne-Smith.
Definition of Science Fiction
Author questions whether her works, like "The Handmaid's Tale" and others, qualify as science fiction.
Reflection on the ambiguity of the term and challenges in classification.
Nomenclatural Ambiguities
Considers if cover art, themes of extraterrestrial life, and futuristic elements categorize a work as science fiction.
Literary Taxonomy and Genre Boundaries
Explores the fluidity of genre boundaries and questions if certain elements automatically categorize a work as science fiction.
Reflects on the challenge of fitting works into predefined genres based on cover aesthetics.
Ursula K. Le Guin's Perspective
Discusses Ursula K. Le Guin's definition of science fiction as speculative fiction about plausible events.
Highlights Le Guin's differentiation between science fiction and fantasy.
Genre Evolution and Slipstream Fiction
Examines the evolution of genres and the emergence of slipstream fiction.
Bruce Sterling's definition of slipstream as writing that challenges consensus reality.
Bendiness of Terminology
Acknowledges the changing nature of genre terminology and the blending of literary categories.
Discusses the slipstream as a contemporary genre that doesn't fit traditional definitions.
Genre Shift Over Time
Traces the historical progression of fantastical literature, from medieval legends to slipstream fiction.
Proposes a unifying umbrella term of "wonder tale" for various speculative genres.
Mo, 27. Nov. 2023