Mesmerists, Monsters, and Machines: Science Fiction and the Cultures of Science in the Nineteenth Century

by Martin Willis

A cultural history of science and science fiction Using key canonical science fiction narratives, Mesmerists, Monsters, and Machines examines the intersection of the literary and scientific cultures of the nineteenth century. In this original and refreshing approach to the study of early science fiction, author Martin Willis maintains that science fiction was just as important in defining the culture of the nineteenth century as other critics maintain it was in shaping the twentieth century. Mesmerists, Monsters, and Machines interrogates the cultural implications of scientific development as articulated, challenged, and reformulated by science fiction. Each chapter demonstrates that both science and fiction were vital parts of a culture of imaginative and empirical practices that were continually reacting to, arguing with, and influencing one another throughout the nineteenth century. In an engrossing narrative that cites classic science fiction texts, Willis establishes a timeline for the reader so that the cultural significance of science fiction is understood and its complexity and relevance to the nineteenth century is demonstrated. Those interested in nineteenth-century history and literature, cultural studies, the history of science, and science fiction will welcome this addition to the scholarship.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, History, Books About Books

288 pages, Paperback

First published May 9, 2005

Reviews

[EmelineB · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book argues for considering science as a social phenomena is represented in works of science-fiction - hence to further examine how works of science-fiction reflect concerns of their days. This iis done through the examination of works by Mary Shelley, Jules Verne, Villiers de l'Isle-Adam, HG Wells, ETA Hoffmann and Edgar Allan Poe. Although more transition between chapters would help the author's argument, the resulting book is of great interest and chapters can be read individually or as a larger history of the scientific process and ethics in the XIXth century.