x, 244 pages : 25 cm, Locating Science Fiction is a major intervention in contemporary theoretical debates about science fiction as a literary, film and television genre and its relation to the immediately cognate genres of utopia, dystopia and fantasy. It asks and attempts to answer three general questions about science fiction: first, what was it? (a question that is addressed both positively, in relation to the genre itself, and negatively, in relation to utopia, dystopia and fantasy); second, when was it? That is, what was its time?; and third, where was it? that is, what was its geographical space? Through a comparative and historical framework that draws upon Raymond Williams' 'cultural materialism', Pierre Bourdieu's sociology of culture and Franco Moretti's application of world-systems theory to comparative literary studies, Milner delivers a critical tour-de-force that will push Science Fiction studies into new directions, Includes bibliographical references (pages 199-230) and index, Memories of Dan Dare -- Science fiction and selective tradition -- Science fiction and the cultural field -- Radio science fiction and the theory of genre -- Science fiction, utopia and fantasy -- Science fiction and dystopia -- When was science fiction? -- Where was science fiction? -- The uses of science fiction

ia/locatingsciencef0000miln.pdf

Andrew Milner

Oxford University Press, Incorporated

Liverpool science fiction texts and studies ; 44, Liverpool, 2012

Liverpool Science Fiction Texts & Studies, Liverpool, 2013

United Kingdom and Ireland, United Kingdom

1, US, 2013

Locating Science Fiction is a ground breaking and potentially paradigm-shifting book, a major intervention into contemporary theoretical debates about SF. Academic literary criticism has tended to locate SF primarily in relation to the older genre of utopia; fan criticism primarily in relation to fantasy and SF in other media, especially film and television; popular fiction studies primarily in relation to other contemporary genres such as the romance and the thriller. This bold new synthesis relocates SF in relation to each of these other genres and media and also to the historical and geographic contexts of its emergence and development. Locating Science Fiction effects a series of vital shifts in the way SF theory and criticism has conceptualised its subject, away from prescriptively abstract dialectics of cognition and estrangement and towards the empirically grounded understanding of what is actually a messy amalgam of texts, practices and artefacts. Inspired by Raymond Williams's cultural materialism, Pierre Bourdieu's sociology of culture and Franco Moretti's application of world systems theory to literary studies, Locating Science Fiction draws on the disciplinary competences of Comparative Literature, Cultural Studies, Critical Theory and Sociology to produce a powerfully persuasive mode of analysis, engagement and argument.

Locating Science Fiction Is A Major Intervention In Contemporary Theoretical Debates About Science Fiction As A Literary, Film And Television Genre And Its Relation To The Immediately Cognate Genres Of Utopia, Dystopia And Fantasy. It Asks And Attempts To Answer Three General Questions About Science Fiction: First, What Was It? (a Question That Is Addressed Both Positively, In Relation To The Genre Itself, And Negatively, In Relation To Utopia, Dystopia And Fantasy); Second, When Was It? That Is, What Was Its Time?; And Third, Where Was It? That Is, What Was Its Geographical Space? Through A Comparative And Historical Framework That Draws Upon Raymond Williams' 'cultural Materialism', Pierre Bourdieu's Sociology Of Culture And Franco Moretti's Application Of World-systems Theory To Comparative Literary Studies, Milner Delivers A Critical Tour-de-force That Will Push Science Fiction Studies Into New Directions. Memories Of Dan Dare -- Science Fiction And Selective Tradition -- Science Fiction And The Cultural Field -- Radio Science Fiction And The Theory Of Genre -- Science Fiction, Utopia And Fantasy -- Science Fiction And Dystopia -- When Was Science Fiction? -- Where Was Science Fiction? -- The Uses Of Science Fiction. Andrew Milner. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 199-230) And Index.

2023-06-28