Gary Westfahl je ústřední postavou kritiky sci-fi, známý svým rozsáhlým, metodickým a poučeným přístupem, který se často nebojí jít proti proudu. Jeho práce se hluboce noří do témat a stylů vědeckofantastické literatury i filmu, přičemž se zaměřuje na odhalování skrytých souvislostí a historického vývoje žánru. Prostřednictvím svých četných článků, recenzí a knih se Westfahl etabloval jako respektovaný badatel, který poskytuje čtenářům pronikavé analýzy a nové pohledy na svět sci-fi. Jeho kritický pohled je neocenitelný pro každého, kdo chce plně pochopit bohatství a rozmanitost tohoto fascinujícího žánru.
Focusing on accessible themes in science fiction, the book explores key subjects like inventions, space, robots, and aliens through twenty-one chapters. Originally compiled from essays for classroom use, it serves as a supplemental textbook for students while also appealing to scholars and enthusiasts of the genre. The content bridges the gap between complex definitions and relatable concepts, making it a valuable resource for anyone interested in the evolution and impact of science fiction literature.
Focusing on the origins and evolution of hard science fiction, this critical study emphasizes the genre's hallmark of scientific accuracy and logic. Westfahl categorizes two main forms of hard science fiction and provides in-depth analyses of notable works by authors such as Arthur C. Clarke, Hal Clement, and Charles Sheffield. The book enriches understanding of hard science fiction by presenting new insights and documenting discussions within the science fiction community regarding this emerging genre.
The collection features thirty-seven previously unpublished columns from a respected British science fiction magazine, offering American readers a rare glimpse into the author's insights from 1998 to 2004. While a few columns have appeared elsewhere, the majority are presented for the first time, enriching the understanding of the genre. The book culminates with a brand-new column, providing both new and returning readers with fresh content. This compilation serves as a significant contribution to the American science fiction discourse, filling a gap in the author's accessible works.
Illuminating essays by a prominent critic explore the evolution of science fiction and fantasy films, organized chronologically around the release of the movies and TV shows discussed. While not a comprehensive history, the collection interweaves analyses with insights into related plays, novels, and comics, particularly notable works like This Island Earth and 2001: A Space Odyssey. The essays are both entertaining and thought-provoking, offering intelligent commentary that appeals to critics, fans, and general viewers of the genre.
West unravels the strings that link many of our contemporary musicians,
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Already renowned for his science fiction and scientific nonfiction, Arthur C. Clarke became the world's most famous science fiction writer after the success of 2001: A Space Odyssey. He then produced novels like Rendezvous with Rama and The Fountains of Paradise that many regard as his finest works. Gary Westfahl closely examines Clarke's remarkable career, ranging from his forgotten juvenilia to the passages he completed for a final novel, The Last Theorem. As Westfahl explains, Clarke's science fiction offered original perspectives on subjects like new inventions, space travel, humanity's destiny, alien encounters, the undersea world, and religion. While not inclined to mysticism, Clarke necessarily employed mystical language to describe the fantastic achievements of advanced aliens and future humans. Westfahl also contradicts the common perception that Clarke's characters were bland and underdeveloped, arguing that these reticent, solitary individuals, who avoid conventional relationships, represent his most significant prediction of the future, as they embody the increasingly common lifestyle of people in the twenty-first century.
Exploring the portrayal of space travel in film, this critical history highlights how spacesuits symbolize the dangers of outer space and human vulnerability. It begins with early works like Himmelskibet and Woman on the Moon, then analyzes classics such as Destination Moon and 2001: A Space Odyssey. The book also examines films that compromise realism with melodrama or comedy, as well as distinctive contributions from Western Europe, Russia, and Japan, culminating in the iconic televised Apollo 11 moon landing.
Focusing on the origins and evolution of science fiction, this book provokes discussion and challenges existing assumptions within the genre. It serves as an essential resource for scholars and those aspiring to study science fiction, positioning itself as a pivotal text in the field. Its in-depth analysis offers unique insights that are likely to stimulate critical thinking and scholarly debate.
The book delves into the evolving themes of space and the frontier in science fiction, highlighting how recent scientific advancements and literary critiques reshape our understanding of humanity's role in space. It uncovers hidden insights from classic authors while examining how contemporary writers either cling to outdated narratives, explore innovative realities, or shift their focus away from space to other frontiers. This fresh perspective invites readers to reconsider the genre's portrayal of exploration and the human experience in the cosmos.
Exploring the evolution of the space station theme in science fiction, this comprehensive study spans from early works like "The Brick Moon" to modern series such as Star Trek's Deep Space 9. It offers a detailed analysis of how these narratives serve as platforms for exploring new worlds and civilizations. The author's balanced approach, along with extensive bibliographies and a thorough index, makes this an essential resource for scholars and enthusiasts of genre fiction.
