This is the first full-length study of emerging Anglo-American science fiction's relation to the history, discourses, and ideologies of colonialism and imperialism. Nearly all scholars and critics of early science fiction acknowledge that colonialism is an important and relevant part of its historical context, and recent scholarship has emphasized imperialism's impact on late Victorian Gothic and adventure fiction and on Anglo-American popular and literary culture in general. John Rieder argues that colonial history and ideology are crucial components of science fiction's displaced references to history and its engagement in ideological production. He proposes that the profound ambivalence that pervades colonial accounts of the exotic "other" establishes the basic texture of much science fiction, in particular its vacillation between fantasies of discovery and visions of disaster. Combining original scholarship and theoretical sophistication with a clearly written presentation suitable for students as well as professional scholars, this study offers new and innovative readings of both acknowledged classics and rediscovered gems.
Includes discussion of works by Edwin A. Abbott, Edward Bellamy, Edgar Rice Burroughs, John W. Campbell, George Tomkyns Chesney, Arthur Conan Doyle, H. Rider Haggard, Edmond Hamilton, W. H. Hudson, Richard Jefferies, Henry Kuttner, Alun Llewellyn, Jack London, A. Merritt, Catherine L. Moore, William Morris, Garrett P. Serviss, Mary Shelley, Olaf Stapledon, and H. G. Wells.
Industry Reviews
The Wellsian" Extrapolation" Foundation" Hispania" "In Colonialism and the Emergence of Science Fiction, John Rieder has produced a commendably readable and intellectually robust contribution to the emerging field of 'postcolonial' studies in science fiction. Rieder employs interdisciplinary theory to best advantage and with minimal jargonizing."--Keith Williams "The Wellsian" (1/1/2009 12:00:00 AM) Probably no single volume, and certainly none as succinct as this, could possibly develop all the arguments implicit here.--Carl Freedman "Extrapolation" (1/1/2010 12:00:00 AM) "These early scientific romances [The Time Machine, The Island of Dr Moreau, The War of the Worlds and The First Men in the Moon] have been analyzed time and again, from virtually every critical angle, but Rieder shows how a colonial reading provides fresh and valuable insight into them."--Paul Kincaid "Foundation" (3/1/2011 12:00:00 AM) "All in all, Haywood Ferreira has produced a noteworthy text that will be of interest to students and scholars of Latin American literature. One need not be a science fiction devotee to appreciate the research and enthusiasm that went into the writing of this book."--Jeanie Murphy "Hispania" (9/1/2012 12:00:00 AM) "Probably no single volume, and certainly none as succinct as this, could possibly develop all the arguments implicit here."--Carl Freedman, Extrapolation All in all, Haywood Ferreira has produced a noteworthy text that will be of interest to students and scholars of Latin American literature. One need not be a science fiction devotee to appreciate the research and enthusiasm that went into the writing of this book. Jeanie Murphy, Hispania" These early scientific romances [The Time Machine, The Island of Dr Moreau, The War of the Worlds and The First Men in the Moon] have been analyzed time and again, from virtually every critical angle, but Rieder shows how a colonial reading provides fresh and valuable insight into them. Paul Kincaid, Foundation" In Colonialism and the Emergence of Science Fiction, John Rieder has produced a commendably readable and intellectually robust contribution to the emerging field of postcolonial studies in science fiction. Rieder employs interdisciplinary theory to best advantage and with minimal jargonizing. Keith Williams, The Wellsian"
