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Tag Archives: Science Fiction and Fantasy
A Specter is Haunting Texas
The constant news stories this past week about the pitiful state of the State of Texas reminded me of the little known post-apocalyptic science fiction satire by the way under appreciated author Fritz Leiber. In the very dark, but humorous … Continue reading
Posted in Books, USA, Writing
Tagged Fritz Leiber, Galaxy, Magazines, Science Fiction and Fantasy
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Predicting The Future
The late American author Octavia Butler died nearly 15 years ago, but the disturbing plague year that is coming to a close has resulted in a renewed interest in her books. Her Parable books were especially popular in 2020, with … Continue reading
Posted in Books, USA, Writing
Tagged Afrofuturism, Climate Change, Octavia Butler, Parable of the Sower, Science Fiction and Fantasy
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Dune, Now and Then
Science Fiction fans around the world—myself included—were excited to see the first trailer for the new Dune film last week. (see below)Although I enjoyed the first cinematic interpretation of Frank Herbert’s interstellar saga, like many I found David Lynch’s version lacking in … Continue reading
Posted in Art, Books, Film, movies, USA, Writing
Tagged Analog, David Lynch, Dune, Frank Herbert, Science Fiction and Fantasy
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The Parable of the Author
I am not a big re-reader of books, but at the start of the pandemic I picked-up a copy of Octavia Butler’s The Parable of the Sower. If you are not familiar with the novel, it was published in 1993, but was … Continue reading
Posted in Books, History, USA, Writing
Tagged MacArthur Fellowship, New York Times Book Review, novels, Octavia Butler, Science Fiction and Fantasy
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The rockets came like locusts.
Like many antiquarian book collectors, I tend to focus on old first editions and elaborately bound illustrated books. Doing so can result in overlooking wonderfully illustrated paperbacks and re-issues such as this terrific 1979 edition of Ray Bradbury’s science fiction … Continue reading
Posted in Art, Books, USA, Writing
Tagged book illustration, Martian Chronicles, Ray Bradbury, Science Fiction and Fantasy
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La Guerre des Mondes
During the past week, I stumbled on three different references to H. G. Wells’ iconic science fiction novel The War of the Worlds, including a new French-British television series (which was mediocre at best). The early sci-fi classic was originally … Continue reading
Posted in Art, Books, Europe, Writing
Tagged book illustration, H.G. Wells, Science Fiction and Fantasy
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Conquest of Mars
Here is copy number 55 of the first edition of Edison’s Conquest of Mars by Garrett P. Serviss. There were only 1,500 copies in the first edition, and only 1,450 of those were offered for general distribution. Serviss, an astronomer, wrote Conquest in 1898; … Continue reading
Posted in Art, Books, History, USA, Writing
Tagged Bernard Manley Jr., book illustration, Russell Swanson, Science Fiction and Fantasy
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Older Than the Moon
“Before the moon I am, what a woman is, a woman of power, a woman’s power, deeper than the roots of trees, deeper than the roots of islands, older than the Making, older than the moon.” – Ursula K. Le Guin, from Tehanu: … Continue reading
A is for Anarchism
I recently had the chance to finally watch the New American Masters PBS documentary on the late science fiction writer Ursula K. Le Guin. For the most part, it was a good exploration of her life and career. Maybe if … Continue reading
Posted in Books, Freedom of Speech, USA, Writing
Tagged Climate Change, environmentalism, Fiction, Science Fiction and Fantasy, Ursula K. Le Guin
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Science Fiction Inspires Science IRL
News of scientist Giovanni Aldini’s electric reanimation experiments on corpses in 1803 reached author Mary Shelley before the publication of her iconic science fiction book Frankenstein. It was an instance of science informing fiction. In turn, Shelley’s masterpiece would eventually … Continue reading
Posted in Animation, History, Tech, Uncategorized, Writing
Tagged Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Science, Science Fiction and Fantasy, Star Trek
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