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What If? Religious Themes in Science Fiction
Who am I Why am I here Where am I going What if . . . Science fiction delights in asking old questions in new ways. Rather than being primarily about advanced technology and the imagined future, science fiction novels and films are more fundamentally about issues of human nature and destiny. They provide a unique perspective on the same questions that have dominated theology and philosophy throughout history. In this fascinating book, Mike Alsford aims neither to give a history of science fiction, nor to systematically identify specific religious motifs within the genre, but to create an interdisciplinary, exploratory space where we can engage with the primal themes in new ways. Whether we are already well-versed in science fiction, or have had only the briefest encounters with Frankenstein's monster and Doctor Who, this book will provide exciting insights into questions of identity, the human condition, our relationships and our destiny.
- GenresNonfiction
176 pages, Paperback
First published July 17, 2000
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July 1, 2011
I have to admit that, so far, I really like Mike Alsford's style. I LOVED Heroes and Villains and was excited to find his lesser known What If?.
This book is an examination of religious themes in Science Fiction. It is a philosophic study that is meant to provoke more thoughts and questions than answers. It wants its reader to think about how we use fiction to help us analyze and internalize religious thoughts and questions in a neutral environment. The book points out these questions and illustrates them with examples of contemporary science fiction. It also explores those questions through the history of the genre, taking it back to Frankenstein, arguably the first science fiction novel.
The book is academic in nature and, as I said, more philosophy than answers. The style is also denser and provokes more thought than a typical novel, which means that, while the book is fairly short, it still takes a while to get through. Those things may turn off a casual reader, and anyone coming to this book for a simple recitation of either religious dogma or science fiction stories will be sorely disappointed. But I found it to be interesting and well done.
I didn't think the book was quite as good as Heroes and Villains, which I quote on a day-to-day basis. But it was a fascinating study that provoked a lot of thought and questions of my own. It was several hours well spent.
This book is an examination of religious themes in Science Fiction. It is a philosophic study that is meant to provoke more thoughts and questions than answers. It wants its reader to think about how we use fiction to help us analyze and internalize religious thoughts and questions in a neutral environment. The book points out these questions and illustrates them with examples of contemporary science fiction. It also explores those questions through the history of the genre, taking it back to Frankenstein, arguably the first science fiction novel.
The book is academic in nature and, as I said, more philosophy than answers. The style is also denser and provokes more thought than a typical novel, which means that, while the book is fairly short, it still takes a while to get through. Those things may turn off a casual reader, and anyone coming to this book for a simple recitation of either religious dogma or science fiction stories will be sorely disappointed. But I found it to be interesting and well done.
I didn't think the book was quite as good as Heroes and Villains, which I quote on a day-to-day basis. But it was a fascinating study that provoked a lot of thought and questions of my own. It was several hours well spent.
Displaying 1 of 1 review