Science Fiction as Literary Genre - 2 nonfiction reads

Suggest and discuss books to read (all languages welcome!)
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Sue Anderson
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Joined: July 24th, 2008, 11:48 am
Location: Midwest, USA

Post by Sue Anderson »

I would like to suggest two short non-fiction reads which discuss sci fi as a literary genre. They are the introductions to two PD bibliographies of science fiction books, one published in 1953, the other in 1975. These perceptive introductions would make good contributions to the Short Nonfiction Collection viewtopic.php?f=19&t=94629

1) A Bibliography of the Science Fiction Novel (1953)

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b3388998

The authors were specialist booksellers. In their introduction they divide the field of sci fi into 8 categories "the weird tale, science fiction, fantasy, the lost race tale, fantastic adventure, unknown worlds, and the Oriental tale."

2) Drug Themes in Science Fiction (1975),
by Robert Silverberg, past president of the Science Fiction Writers of America.

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.31822007575426

On ppgs. 3-8, Silverberg writes an "Overview of Drug Themes in Science Fiction." He states that "two distinct attitudes towards the use of mind-related drugs have manifested themselves in science fiction ... one cautionary... the other visionary and utopian." In his preface, Silverberg equates the uptick in the interest in science fiction in the 1970's to the social upheavals of the time.
flavo5000
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Joined: October 7th, 2021, 2:55 pm

Post by flavo5000 »

Sue Anderson wrote: September 26th, 2022, 11:34 am I would like to suggest two short non-fiction reads which discuss sci fi as a literary genre. They are the introductions to two PD bibliographies of science fiction books, one published in 1953, the other in 1975. These perceptive introductions would make good contributions to the Short Nonfiction Collection viewtopic.php?f=19&t=94629

1) A Bibliography of the Science Fiction Novel (1953)

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b3388998

The authors were specialist booksellers. In their introduction they divide the field of sci fi into 8 categories "the weird tale, science fiction, fantasy, the lost race tale, fantastic adventure, unknown worlds, and the Oriental tale."

2) Drug Themes in Science Fiction (1975),
by Robert Silverberg, past president of the Science Fiction Writers of America.

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.31822007575426

On ppgs. 3-8, Silverberg writes an "Overview of Drug Themes in Science Fiction." He states that "two distinct attitudes towards the use of mind-related drugs have manifested themselves in science fiction ... one cautionary... the other visionary and utopian." In his preface, Silverberg equates the uptick in the interest in science fiction in the 1970's to the social upheavals of the time.
I would think neither of these would be public domain in the US given the year of release.
Sue Anderson
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Joined: July 24th, 2008, 11:48 am
Location: Midwest, USA

Post by Sue Anderson »

flavo5000 wrote: September 27th, 2022, 12:18 pm


I would think neither of these would be public domain in the US given the year of release.
Hi flavo5000, Both of these publications are public domain, google digitized. Both were digitized by the University of California and are available through Hathi trust. They are both specialized bibliographies. Hathi has certified both of them as PD.

The Science-Fantasy bibliography was published in a limited edition of 500 copies, by a specialized sci-fi bookseller as a handbook "which could be utilized readily by the reader or collector."

The Drug Themes volume was issued as a "research issue" by the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

The Short Nonfiction Collection would be happy to have a selection from either or both of these works as a contribution to Vol. 094. viewtopic.php?f=19&t=94629
flavo5000
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Joined: October 7th, 2021, 2:55 pm

Post by flavo5000 »

Sue Anderson wrote: September 27th, 2022, 2:55 pm
flavo5000 wrote: September 27th, 2022, 12:18 pm


I would think neither of these would be public domain in the US given the year of release.
Hi flavo5000, Both of these publications are public domain, google digitized. Both were digitized by the University of California and are available through Hathi trust. They are both specialized bibliographies. Hathi has certified both of them as PD.

The Science-Fantasy bibliography was published in a limited edition of 500 copies, by a specialized sci-fi bookseller as a handbook "which could be utilized readily by the reader or collector."

The Drug Themes volume was issued as a "research issue" by the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

The Short Nonfiction Collection would be happy to have a selection from either or both of these works as a contribution to Vol. 094. viewtopic.php?f=19&t=94629
If that's the case, I might actually do the Bibliography of Science Fantasy as a solo. I actually really like reading these kinds of things in general (I recently bought Bleiler's massive Science Fiction: The Early Years and REALLY want to find a copy of his History of Supernatural Fiction).
Sue Anderson
Posts: 5189
Joined: July 24th, 2008, 11:48 am
Location: Midwest, USA

Post by Sue Anderson »

I think you'd have lot's of fun reading that bibliography as a solo! :) There are 333 entries, each title of which "has its plot digested and discussed in wordage totaling between one hundred and one hundred and fifty words." Of course, there are lots of entries about older sci fi works (i.e. PD), but you'd also get to read synopses of more contemporary sci fi books too. I'm not familiar with Bleiler, but if the history you're referring to his Guide to Supernatural Fiction, there are a few used copies on Amazon, starting at $297.50. But--you can also borrow the book for free to read on-line from archive.org.: https://archive.org/details/guidetosupernatu0000blei
flavo5000
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Joined: October 7th, 2021, 2:55 pm

Post by flavo5000 »

Sue Anderson wrote: September 27th, 2022, 3:47 pm I think you'd have lot's of fun reading that bibliography as a solo! :) There are 333 entries, each title of which "has its plot digested and discussed in wordage totaling between one hundred and one hundred and fifty words." Of course, there are lots of entries about older sci fi works (i.e. PD), but you'd also get to read synopses of more contemporary sci fi books too. I'm not familiar with Bleiler, but if the history you're referring to his Guide to Supernatural Fiction, there are a few used copies on Amazon, starting at $297.50. But--you can also borrow the book for free to read on-line from archive.org.: https://archive.org/details/guidetosupernatu0000blei
Yea, I've noticed I can borrow it from archive but I'd like to own a physical copy so I can use it as a reference. And yea...$300 is a bit steep... I know I've seen copies of it sell for less than $150 on ebay before. Just playing the waiting game at this point. Bleiler himself was considered one of the foremost authorities on the history of science fiction, fantasy and horror and wrote and/or edited lots of books in the field.
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