Space and Beyond: The Frontier Theme in Science Fiction

by Gary Westfahl

Although the exploration of space has long preoccupied authors and filmmakers, the development of an actual space program, discoveries about the true nature of space, and critical reconsiderations of America's frontier experiences have challenged and complicated conventional portrayals of humans in space. This volume reexamines the themes of space and the frontier in science fiction in light of recent scientific and literary developments. From this new perspective, we discern previously unnoticed commentaries from older authors, while newer writers either remain within a reassuring but obsolete tradition, venture into unexplored new realities, or abandon space to focus on other frontiers.

The intriguing contributions to this volume include a previously unpublished interview with Arthur C. Clarke, the world's greatest living author of science fiction; examinations of space opera by veteran author Jack Williamson and scholar David Pringle; surveys of space in science fiction film, and writer and producer Michael Cassutt's account of his efforts to launch a film based on a Clifford D. Simak novel; and speculations about future developments from noted writers Gregory Benford, Jack Dann, James Gunn, and Howard V. Hendrix.

Genres: Science Fiction

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2000

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.