Review by Choice Review
Manlove attempts in this volume to encompass the general by analyzing the particular. And he does an excellent job. While acknowledging the recent respectability of science fiction in the world of scholarship, he deplores the current fashion of viewing the works in this genre as solely ``a metaphor, myth, or projection of our world.'' In the introduction, he states his purpose: ``This book is directed to restoring attention to the fictional element in science fiction.'' Manlove devotes a chapter each to a specific work by Asimov, Pohl, Aldiss, Herbert, Silverberg, Farmer, Clarke, Simak, Attanasio, and Wolfe. His introductory chapter and his concluding chapter provide the overall frame for these analyses. The scholarly apparatus includes useful notes, bibliographic material, and a thorough index. Best of all, the book is full of bright insights and clarifications. The style is smooth and eminently readable. Overall, this work is a valuable addition to the field of science fiction scholarship. A good acquisition for college, community college, university, and public libraries.-S. Raeschild, formerly East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Booklist Review
British sf scholar Manlove begins his useful text by opposing the reductionist approach to sf, which views it in terms of insights into our present world. Instead, he takes the view that sf and fantasy involve unique acts of imagination, which should be analyzed on their own terms. The authors whose works he studies include Isaac Asimov, Frederik Pohl, Brian Aldiss, Frank Herbert, Robert Silverberg, Philip Jos Farmer, Arthur C. Clarke, and Gene Wolfe. Imagination becomes a sufficiently elusive concept here, and Manlove's British perspective and academic prose style may put off some readers. However, this book deserves reading by serious students of sf, and large collections will definitely want to consider it. Notes; bibliography; index. RG. 813'.0876 Science fiction, American History and criticism / Science fiction, English History and criticism [CIP] 85-14738
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
Review by Booklist Review
