Science Fiction and Fantasy have long been areas of literature where difficult topics have been explored - rightly or wrongly - with relative candour. Events in the bookish community have led Jules and Madeleine to look at an oft used issue in sff - slavery. Taking a look at the etymology of the word and the origins this suggests, and following it with a very brief look at slavery in history, the dragons then delve into why we need various portrayals of it in speculative fiction. How is it done well? How is it done less well? And why is it important to consider many perspectives? Under examination this week - The Roman Mysteries by Caroline Lawrence, Tricker's Choice by Tamora Pierce, Thor Ragnorok and many more.
(The dragons fully acknowledge that this week's topic is a sensitive one and have accordingly done their best to both thoroughly discuss the issues surrounding portrayals of slavery in speculative fiction, and deliver that discussion in a way that is both informative and inoffensive. But we are both human and both white, so there may be issues outside our realm of experience or other items we have not done justice to. As always, we are open to being wrong and encourage our listeners to contact us should they wish to do so.)
Title music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic
Episode 290: Absent Saints and Cruel Caretakers - How Parents Shape Characters in Speculative Fiction part1
Episode 289: Women, Swords and Trauma - the Backstory of the Female Warrior in Speculative Fiction
Episode 288 - Battle of the Animated Feature Films - Disney vs Don Bluth vs Studio Ghibli
Episode 287: Its All About Me - the Strange Appeal of Narcissism in Speculative Fiction
Episode 286: The Road to Hell - Moral Quandaries and Impossible Choices in Speculative Fiction
Episode 285 Challenging Expectations vs Wokewashing - Blindcasting, Diversity USPs and Nuance in Speculative Fiction
Episode 284: From Tea Houses to Taverns - Tea, Coffee and Intoxicating Substances in History and Speculative Fiction
Episode 283: Vanishing Acts and Secret Scandals - A Compilation of Author Mysteries
Episode 282: Mysterious Parcels and Mystical Cups - McGuffins, Plot Devices and Choosey Magical Objects in Speculative fiction
Episode 281: Mean Girls & Toxic Friends - Why Friendship Conflicts are Important in Speculative Fiction
Episode 280: Gentle Giants and Brick Outhouses - the Tank Character in Speculative Fiction
Episode 279: We're All in This Together - The Art of Collaborating in the Arts
Episode 278: Sins of the Father - Inherited Curses, Crimes and Responsibilities in Speculative Fiction
Episode 277: All Around My Hat - More Folksong Writing Inspiration Part 2
Episode 276: All Around My Hat - More Folksong Writing Inspiration Part 1
Episode 275: Mean Girls and Internet Trolls -Positive Body Representation in Speculative Fiction Part 2
Episode 274: Mean Girls and Internet Trolls - Positive Body Representation in Speculative Fiction part 1
Episode 273: The Dark Descent into Hell - Tracing the Origins of Persephone and Other Underworld Goddesses
Episode 272: This is Not 1984 - Stopping Dystopia and False Utopia Spilling into Reality
Episode 271: Maintaining the Mood - How to Avoid Misusing Tone in Speculative Fiction
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