This subgenre is also lovingly called Space Goth. Its most obvious characteristic is the attempt to capture the darkness of Goth, but to do so in a science fiction setting. Vampires often feature in Gothic SF, but with the twist that science rather than mysticism is involved. If you are familiar with Marvel Comics, think Morbius rather than Dracula. Or Richard Matheson's I Am Legend rather than Anne Rice's Interview with a Vampire.
Common themes in Gothic Science Fiction include deeply flawed, disturbing, or eccentric protagonists who are hard to like, but always interesting. Modern Space Goth is often ambivalent about gender roles, and features plots about coming upon derelict spaceships, hauntingly grotesque situations such as nuclear, chemical or biological warfare, and other sinister events relating to or stemming from resource scarcity, technological alienation, seedy disrespect for legal authorities or organized military structures and the governments that form them. Space Goth is all about life on the fringe and on the run.
Rules for adding books to this list:
1) It must be more science fiction than fantasy, though the line is often blurry in this subgenre. Dracula, for example, although sometimes mentioned as a candidate for this subgenre, is actually not. There is no science involved in Dracula.
2) It must have Gothic features. Horror is related to but not the same as Goth; for that reason Ridley Scott's Alien would not qualify because there is no element of moral corruption or decay present, no antiheroes.
Common themes in Gothic Science Fiction include deeply flawed, disturbing, or eccentric protagonists who are hard to like, but always interesting. Modern Space Goth is often ambivalent about gender roles, and features plots about coming upon derelict spaceships, hauntingly grotesque situations such as nuclear, chemical or biological warfare, and other sinister events relating to or stemming from resource scarcity, technological alienation, seedy disrespect for legal authorities or organized military structures and the governments that form them. Space Goth is all about life on the fringe and on the run.
Rules for adding books to this list:
1) It must be more science fiction than fantasy, though the line is often blurry in this subgenre. Dracula, for example, although sometimes mentioned as a candidate for this subgenre, is actually not. There is no science involved in Dracula.
2) It must have Gothic features. Horror is related to but not the same as Goth; for that reason Ridley Scott's Alien would not qualify because there is no element of moral corruption or decay present, no antiheroes.
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