This week, with Jonathan hard at work compiling his year’s best anthology, we revisit one of the oldest questions about science fiction—namely, what is it and how do you decide what to include or exclude from an anthology clearly labelled as science fiction?
Rather than trying to offer our own definitions, we discuss the problem of definition in general. Gary argues that the many definitions of SF could be classed as the functional (or purely practical, like Damon Knight’s famous “what I point to”), the rhetorical (definitions designed to promote the importance of the genre), and the theoretical (lit-crit stuff). We agreed that such definitions tend to change over time.
That leads us into a discussion of the current state of space opera, and the question of whether the space setting is a defining feature, even when, as with Aliette de Bodard’s The Tea Master and the Detective, the plot is borrowed from mysteries.
Finally, we talk about some of our current reading. Gary mentions Rivers Solomon’s The Deep, which he sees as representing a fascinating collaboration between music and fiction since the central idea began with the techno-electronic duo Drexciya, became a Hugo-nominated rap by Clipping and is now Solomon’s novel. Jonathan mentioned Leah Bardugo's bestselling new fantasy, Ninth House, which is out now and which he recommends.
As always, we hope you enjoy the podcast. We'll be back soon!
Episode 572: Genre, change, and the passage of time
Episode 571: The New Year and New Books
Episode 570: Coode Street’s Books to Look for in 2022
Episode 569: A Thank You for Supporting Us for So Long
Episode 568: A Very Coode Street Gift Guide Roundtable
Episode 567: Sheree Renée Thomas and science fiction
Episode 566: On life achievement, awards, and more
Episode 565: On work published after the author‘s death
Episode 564: Oghenechovwe Ekpeki and African Speculative Fiction
Episode 563: A Ramble in the Wilderness
Episode 562: Reading, reviewing, and an old question answered
Episode 561: Science fiction, influence, and more
Episode 560: Arkady Martine and Memories of Empire
Episode 559: Partway through the pandemic, a ramble
Episode 558: M. Rickert and The Shipbuilder of Bellfaerie
Episode 557: All This and Dystopia Too
Episode 556: Lavie Tidhar and a World of Science Fiction
Episode 555: Catherynne M. Valente and Telling Tales
Episode 554: Zen Cho and Finding Black Water Sister
Episode 553: Daryl Gregory and The Album of Doctor Moreau
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