To finish up our reading of political science fiction, we read and talked about “The Windup Girl.”
Read MoreReading Group III: Political Science Fiction
Authors writing in the science fiction genre often explore political themes: rise and decline of empire, technological change, individual liberty, revolution, gender politics, and so much more. Politics are a hot topic right now, but by reading science fiction through political lenses, we can view current and potential political practices without necessarily having to deal with our realities. By being displaced from a “real” setting, we can take a different path to approaching political issues via rich subtexts found in science fiction. We will approach these novels as an opportunity to view our current and potential political climates, as well as take a peek into the past What led these authors to view the future the way they did? What hopes did they have? What did they get wrong? What did they get right? And why is science fiction such fertile ground for exploring political landscapes?
“The Left Hand of Darkness” – Political Science Fiction
We talk about one of the masterworks of science fiction, “The Left Hand of Darkness.”
Read More“He, She and It” – Political Science Fiction
Marge Piercy writing science fiction? We had to read “He, She and It” because Piercy doesn’t typically write sci-fi.
Read More“The Diamond Age, or, A Young Lady’s Illustrated Primer” – Political Science Fiction
Readers were excited to read some Neal Stephenson, as he’s often touted as one of the prophets of science fiction.
Read More“The Moon is a Harsh Mistress” – Political Science Fiction
You can’t have a science fiction reading group without reading some Robert A. Heinlein. “The Moon is a Harsh Mistress” is our choice this time around.
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