The Most Disturbing Novel Ever Written About Christmas
Until recently, Patrick Hamilton was a mainstay of “forgotten novelists” lists. Thanks to clamorous support by a distinguished group including J.B. Priestly, Doris Lessing, and Nick Hornby, many of his best books have slipped back into print over the last few years. Thankfully, this includes Hangover Square, perhaps the perfect antidote for the Christmas season.…
Before Science Fiction: Romances of Science and Scientific Romances
The origin of science fiction stories is well-known to both critics and the public: by consensus, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1818) was the first SF novel. But the origins of “science fiction” as a concept are neither well-known nor agreed-upon. The phrase “science fiction,” meaning the genre of scientifically-oriented fantastic fiction, was popularized in 1929 by…
Postcolonialism and Science Fiction: An Introduction
Toronto scholar Jessica Langer has just published a fascinating book called Postcolonialism and Science Fiction. In this excerpt from the book’s introduction, she defines what that means, and explores some of the major themes in postcolonial SF. Langer currently works as an adjunct professor in the humanities, and has published widely on postcolonial theory and…
The Victorian Hugos: 1889
The Hugo Awards are given to the best science fiction or fantasy works of the previous year. Unfortunately, they’ve only been awarded since 1953. That’s where this column comes in — Jess Nevins will be awarding honorary Hugo Awards to the best novels of the Victorian era… and beyond. Top image: Illustrations from The Last…