Critical Terms for Science Fiction and Fantasy - by Gary K Wolfe (Hardcover)

About the Book

"The critical vocabulary of the mainstream often give short shrift to the fantastic, and scholars of the fantastic have often had to look elsewhere for their critical termionology. Such scholars will find Wolfe's work an excellent resource." Choice

Book Synopsis

The critical vocabulary of the mainstream often give short shrift to the fantastic, and scholars of the fantastic have often had to look elsewhere for their critical termionology. Such scholars will find Wolfe's work an excellent resource. Choice.

Review Quotes

?A dictionary of genres, subgenres, forms, some themes, techniques, effects. and other terms important to the description of science fiction and fantasy. Entries provide basic definitions, usually accompanied by examples and references to important scholarship.Indexed by writers cited. The work, which is based on extensive acquaintance with the criticism, offers an essential guide to the use and interpretation of terminology for analyzing science fiction and fantasy.?-Literary Research Guide 4th Edition

?The critical vocabulary of the mainstream often give short shrift to the fantastic, and scholars of the fantastic have often had to look elsewhere for their critical terminology.' Such scholars will find Wolfe's work an excellent resource. Definitions for nearly 500 terms have been culled from general literary handbooks and from critical works. Because this vocabulary developed during 150 years of research and debate, an extensive introductory essay on the history and key issues in the criticism of fantasy literature is included. Because the material draws heavily on individual writings, there are frequent references to this bibliography of more than 200 items. An index to primary authors is also included. The definitions include conventional as well as fantastic usage.... This specialized perspective, based on standard literary practice, will ensure an audience for this handbook wherever there are scholars or students of science fiction and fantasy. Undergraduate and graduate collections.?-Choice

"A dictionary of genres, subgenres, forms, some themes, techniques, effects. and other terms important to the description of science fiction and fantasy. Entries provide basic definitions, usually accompanied by examples and references to important scholarship.Indexed by writers cited. The work, which is based on extensive acquaintance with the criticism, offers an essential guide to the use and interpretation of terminology for analyzing science fiction and fantasy."-Literary Research Guide 4th Edition

"The critical vocabulary of the mainstream often give short shrift to the fantastic, and scholars of the fantastic have often had to look elsewhere for their critical terminology.' Such scholars will find Wolfe's work an excellent resource. Definitions for nearly 500 terms have been culled from general literary handbooks and from critical works. Because this vocabulary developed during 150 years of research and debate, an extensive introductory essay on the history and key issues in the criticism of fantasy literature is included. Because the material draws heavily on individual writings, there are frequent references to this bibliography of more than 200 items. An index to primary authors is also included. The definitions include conventional as well as fantastic usage.... This specialized perspective, based on standard literary practice, will ensure an audience for this handbook wherever there are scholars or students of science fiction and fantasy. Undergraduate and graduate collections."-Choice