Dark Horizons: Science Fiction and the Dystopian Imagination

by Raffaella Baccolini (editor), Tom Moylan (Editor)

First published in 2003. With essays by an international and interdisciplinary group of scholars, Dark Horizons focuses on the development of critical dystopia in science fiction at the end of the twentieth century. In these narratives of places more terrible than even the reality produced by the neo-conservative backlash of the 1980s and the neoliberal hegemony of the 1990s, utopian horizons stubbornly anticipate a different and more just world. The top-notch team of contributors explores this development in a variety of ways: by looking at questions of form, politics, the politics of form, and the form of politics. In a broader context, the essays connect their textual and theoretical analyses with historical developments such as September 11th, the rise and downturn of the global economy, and the growth of anti-capitalist movements.

Genres: Theory, Dystopia, Nonfiction

280 pages, Paperback

First published September 19, 2003

Reviews

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good read for anyone interested in dystopias and utopias, how they deal with history (e.g. slavery). There are also (intersectional) feminist approaches to the genre. The work deals with all that is necessary for a detailed study of dystopian novels in general. Excellent source material!

[Airaology · Rating 3 out of 5]

It has in depth explanation of Utopia, dystopia, cyberpunk, genre blending and feminism.

[Santi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heavy on theory (especially gender), light on science fiction. Terribly outdated but useful to locate earlier theoretical work on utopia and dystopia

[Alexis Gálvez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Le daría más estrellas de no ser porque casi la mitad del libro me pareció "inútil" para mi propósito. Capítulos que no aportaban nada o decían lo mismo que otros. Aún así, buen libro.

[F · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book for anyone looking for essays and additional about critical dystopia and the future from some authors who are pretty important in that field. That being said, I feel like I really need to read Tom Moylan's other books which probably delve into the theory a little more rather than disjointed essays from different authors. It was still very helpful, though, particularly in helping me orient my research a little more.

[xcode]

Dystopian Imagination