Science Fiction Before 1900

by Paul K. Alkon

Paul Alkon analyzes several key works that mark the most significant phases in the early evolution of science fiction, including Frankenstein , Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, A Connecticut Yankee in King arthur's Court and The Time Machine . He places the work in context and discusses the genre and its relation to other kinds of literature.

Genres: Nonfiction, Literary Criticism, History

198 pages, Paperback

First published March 28, 1994

Reviews

[Kamakana · Rating 3 out of 5]

150928: sf is... history. good exploration of the european/american, modern, form of literature that examines technology. prophetic, satiric, all aspects of three early traditions: english, french, american. argument for frankenstein as original, verne as sf/romantic, connecticut yankee by twain as self-conscious dialogue between modern and classic arthurian text...

[Luisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love science fiction and you want to find out how it all began as a literary force, this book is a must read. This is not a text burdened by academic jargon. Alkon clearly explains our infatuation with fantasy from the inception of literature, showing the roots of today's techie and fantasy blockbusters to be much older than Mary Shelley's , the demarcation that many acknowledge.

[Katherine Bishop · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-researched and very clear, this book is a great introduction to early science fiction with several close readings. The last, on _A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court_, is the strongest. Alkon makes it clear that he is providing a sounding--not a thorough overview or even superficial overpass; as such there were many topics and texts I found missing here. However, as a sounding aimed at those looking for an introduction to early science fiction, it's an excellent place to start.