Well said, Lindy! I think you summarized what I think are the best
arguments for why the SF genre has literary and intellectual merits that are
both unique and shared with other genres.
One book that impressed me recently was Hyperion by Dan Simmons. The
novel's complex story line(s) include well-developed characters (many of
which were female), insightful commentaries on what a future civilization
based on earth's descendents may be, and countless references to John Keats
and other literary and cultural media. On top of that it had creative and
original ideas about time travel and alien life. Hyperion is the first in a
series (as the novel's unresolved ending is disappointing to some readers),
and the rest of the series is on my "to read" list (which has grown
exponentially since I subscribed to this list server).
-----Original Message-----
From: Lindy S. L. Lovvik <laorka@MEER.NET>
To: FEMINISTSF@LISTSERV.UIC.EDU <FEMINISTSF@LISTSERV.UIC.EDU>
Date: Wednesday, December 03, 1997 3:57 PM
Subject: [*FSFFU*] Sci fi/SF & Genre categories (kinda long)
>Robin,
>
>Thanks for posting your experiences. It helps me
>understand the discussion better.
>
>I was never put down for reading and loving sci
>fi or watching Star Trek, nor kept from the adult
>section at the library, even in grade school. Maybe
>this is why I never knew until recently the negative
>reputation of sci fi with which many on this list had
>to struggle.
>
>BTW, you seem to have survived the feared "brain rot"
>very well. >:-D
>
>Regarding categorizing into genre: Sure. Categories
>can be very useful and helpful in discussing and
>contrasting literature.
>
>I do not understand selecting a particular genre and
>labeling people who enjoy certain works within it as
>something insultingly negative while labeling others
>who read different works within the category as some
>sort of higher beings.
>
>We all bring our life experience into what we read.
>Whether something jibes with our world view or excites
>us enough to expand it, or makes us want to throw the
>book into the trash depends on subjective criteria.
>
>I have read works I considered mediocre. I don't
>consider the readers who enjoy these works to be
>mediocre.
>
>There are genres I don't touch because I've never
>gotten what I've wanted from them. I cannot label
>the readers of those genres as less discriminating
>than me. They're just different.
>
>I know people with doctoral degrees who read with
>relish stuff I find boring. I know a man who drives
>a semi and loves romance novels AND Yeats.
>
>Except in extreme cases (including hate propaganda) I
>cannot bring myself to look down at or up to someone
>because of choice of reading material.
>
>One of the aspects about sci fi is that it can be
>a marvelous vehicle for social commentary and change.
>I love reading about imaginary, complex cultures and
>beings of myriad forms: multi-tentacled beings,
>silicon-based life-forms, humanoid and arachnoid
>people.
>
>I love exploring the authors' creative solutions to
>social organization and conflict in cultures that do
>not actually exist (as far as I know).
>
>Some friends dislike this very aspect about sci fi and
>don't read the genre for that reason. They prefer
>to read about situations and solutions based on
>"here and now" reality (as they define it).
>
>It's loads of fun when I find people who enjoy some of
>the authors and topics that I do. Having a common frame
>of reference often allows the discussion to move past
>the need to define some of the basics and into juicy
>aspects.
>
>It's also stimulating to participate in discussions
>with those who prefer authors and genre's I don't
>like. If nothing else, I may find out why the genre
>attracts that individual, learning more about her or
>him. I may even find out something to enable me to
>appreciate an author or genre.
>
>Reading is such a marvelous experience for me. I
>support people in seeking and appreciating novels,
>stories, non-fiction and/or poetry. . . whatever
>speaks to them.
>
>Categorize into genre: sure.
>Discuss: yes.
>Choose for myself: yes.
>Define genre as worthy or not: no.
>Judge choices of others: no.
>
>Of course, this is my opinion based on what is important
>to me.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Lindy
>--
>"If I had my past life to live over, I'd make all the same
> mistakes, only sooner." --Tallulah Bankhead
>
>http://www.best.com/~laorka
>Resources related to women, disabilities and literature
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