Decoding gender in science fiction

Description:

From supermen and wonderwomen to pregnant kings and housewives in space, characters in science fiction have long defied traditional gender roles. Sexual identity is often exaggerated, obscured, or eliminated altogether. In this pioneering study, Brian Attebery examines how science fiction writers have incorporated, explored, and transformed conventional concepts of gender. While drawing on feminist insights, the book analyzes characters of both genders in works written by men and women that portray the invisible but always powerful presence of sexual difference as a shaping force within science fiction. In doing so, it presents a sexual difference as a shaping force within science fiction. In doing so, it presents a revised history of the genre, from its origins in Gothic works like Mary Shelley's Frankenstein through its development up to - and a little beyond - the present day. Attebery also enriches this history by highlighting critically neglected writers, such as Gwyneth Jones, James Morrow, and Raphael Carter, and by opening fresh perspectives on the field's best-known authors, including Robert A. Heinlein, Ursula K. Le Guin, and Philip K. Dick. Written in lucid prose with engaging style, Decoding Gender in Science Fiction illuminates new ways to uncover meaning in both gender and genre. -- from back cover.

subjects: American Science fiction,  Androgyny (Psychology) in literature,  English Science fiction,  Gender identity in literature,  History and criticism,  Literature and science,  Men in literature,  Sex differences (Psychology) in literature,  Sex role in literature,  Women and literature,  Women in literature,  Science fiction, american,  Science fiction, history and criticism,  Psychology in literature,  Science-fiction américaine,  Histoire et critique,  Science-fiction anglaise,  Différences entre sexes (Psychologie) dans la littérature,  Androgynie dans la littérature,  Identité sexuelle dans la littérature,  Rôle selon le sexe dans la littérature,  Femmes dans la littérature,  Hommes dans la littérature,  LITERARY CRITICISM,  American,  General,  Science-Fiction,  Geschlechterrolle,  Sekseverschillen,  Science fiction,  Geschlechtsrolle,  Motiv,  Science-fiction americaine,  Differences entre sexes (Psychologie) dans la litterature,  Androgynie dans la litterature,  Identite? sexuelle dans la litterature,  Role selon le sexe dans la litterature,  Femmes dans la litterature,  Hommes dans la litterature

Places: English-speaking countries