SCIENCE FICTION QUOTATIONS

by Gary Westfahl (Editor), Arthur C. Clarke (Foreword)

Thousands of memorable quotations from the best science fiction works of all time

In this unprecedented collection of science fiction and fantasy quotations, the reader revisits the stunning moment when Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein monster first comes to life; witnesses the transformation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Dr. Jekyll into Mr. Hyde; is present when Bruce Wayne resolves to become Batman; and overhears the cosmic conclusions of The Incredible Shrinking Man. Drawing upon two centuries of the vast and provocative literature of science fiction and fantasy, this comprehensive book presents more than 2,900 quotations from wide-ranging sources, including science fiction and fantasy stories, novels, films, and television programs.

The quotations are organized by topic—alien worlds; darkness and light; robots, androids, and cyborgs; machines and technology; weapons; and more than one hundred others. The reader will encounter the wit and wisdom of renowned authors (H. G. Wells, Ray Bradbury, J. R. R. Tolkien, Ursula K. Le Guin) along with definitive versions of such important statements as Isaac Asimov’s Three Laws of Robotics and Star Trek ’s Prime Directive.

With its thorough index, this book is both an invaluable resource for the writer or scholar and an irresistible page-turner for the curious browser.

Genres: Reference, Science Fiction, Fiction

485 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2005

About the author

Voluminous, contrarian, methodical and learned, Gary Westfahl is a central figure in SF criticism.

His numerous articles and reviews have appeared in Science Fiction Studies, Extrapolation, Science Fiction Eye, SFRA Newsletter, Journal of the Fantastic in the Arts, and Monad: Essays on Science Fiction, among others.

In the late 1990s, Westfahl became a regular columnist for Interzone, producing 36 columns. In 2001, he began to contribute film reviews and essays to the website Locus Online.

Recent books include The Other Side of the Sky: An Annotated Bibliography of Space Stations in Science Fiction, 1869-1993 (2009), The Spacesuit Film: A History, 1918-1969 (2012), and the author study William Gibson (2013).

Westfahl received the Pilgrim Award in 2003 for lifetime contributions to SF and fantasy scholarship.

Reviews

[Karina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was ogling the interesting collection of books in the museum bookstore in Düsseldorf, when this caught my eye. When I walked in, all excited about the potential on their SF shelf, the owner said he was closing the shop that very minute. "Unless you know what you want?" I just grabbed this without looking at anything else. And now I am the owner of a fine collection of SF-quotes. Not a book to read and finish, but to keep in the office as a source for quotes, to show off the intelligence of my favourite genre.

[John Orman · Rating 4 out of 5]

"It's alive, it's alive!"
That Dr. Frankenstein quotation and thousands of other well-known quotations from the world of sci-fi and fantasy are included in this fun read. Also included are more formalized rules, such as Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics, and Star Trek's Prime Directive.

The quotes are from books, movies, and TV series. Arranged conveniently by topic from Actions to Work, this is a fun read to scan for topics of interest. Also has indices by author and title of work.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. I would read from cover to cover if I had the time right now, plan on checking out again.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hard to say I 'read' this book of quotations when it wasn't thoroughly, front-to-back. Quotes grouped by theme. Wish I had a hard copy of this for reference.

[Lisa Proulx · Rating 5 out of 5]

I use this book a lot and refer to it often in my own horror writing! Great info! :)