US science fiction writer whose novels combined a wide-ranging view of future technical developments with political speculationThe American science fiction writer Greg Bear, who has died aged 71 following heart surgery, was, as he put it “all over the map” as far as interests and subjects were concerned: genetics, starships, politics, artificial constructs and combat in space were among the themes explored in his 35 novels. The work he did to research them with thinkers and institutions made them remarkably prescient, not only scientifically – he is attributed with the first descriptions of nanotechnology – but also politically.His near-future technothrillers Quantico (2005) and Mariposa (2009), for instance, deal with domestic terrorism, a conflict between federal government and states that threaten to secede, and the rise of a populist president who manipulates the supreme court to his own ends. He developed big ideas, conceptually and physically, into exciting and compelling stories, able to evoke a sense of wonder while possessing a depth of characterisation not often found in novels about cutting-edge science. Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'
[ The Guardian | 2022-12-29 17:19:10 UTC ]
Hugo Gernsback once said SFF writers impart knowledge without out making us aware we're being taught. So what do they actually teach us? Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2021-08-12 10:37:00 UTC ]
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It’s hard to believe that in just a matter of years, foldable devices have gone from the stuff of science fiction to actual usable daily drivers. Here we are today, checking out the third generation of Samsung’s foldables, which the company just launched at its Unpacked event. The Fold 3 is the... Continue reading at Engadget
[ Engadget | 2021-08-11 14:00:51 UTC ]
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The Belarusian PEN Centre has been closed down following a ruling by the country's Supreme Court, leading to condemnation by leaders of the international writers' organisation. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2021-08-11 05:44:27 UTC ]
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HarperVoyager has announced a weekend of fantasy and science fiction panels for readers and writers in September, headlined by Jay Kristoff. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2021-08-01 04:11:25 UTC ]
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“The World Gives Way,” “The Chosen and the Beautiful” and “Sword Stone Table” borrow from familiar stories but offer surprising readings. Continue reading at The New York Times
[ The New York Times | 2021-07-30 16:00:03 UTC ]
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Over the weekend, the Los Angeles Review of Books published a fairly wild essay by Miguel Esteban who, at the tender age of 14, commissioned a now-famous essay on race in science fiction from Octavia Butler. The whole piece is worth a read (the gall of teenage boys! the grace of Octavia!) but... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2021-07-26 13:40:52 UTC ]
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After COVID-related delays, Denis Villeneuve’s adaptation of Frank Herbert’s sweeping (and difficult to adapt) science fiction epic Dune is finally set to debut both on HBO Max and in theaters on October 1st. As the release date quickly approaches, Warner Bros has dropped a new trailer. (If you... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2021-07-22 16:21:07 UTC ]
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Quercus has bought British barrister and counter-terrorist expert Adam Oyebanji’s UK debut, billed as an “exhilarating blending of hard science fiction and thriller”. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2021-07-19 20:50:22 UTC ]
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What Borges’ science fiction got right about the importance of forgetting, according to child psychiatry. | Lit Hub Science Searching for Moby-Dick (and the elusive truths of America’s pastime): Rick White goes deep on Bill James, Herman Melville, and the whaleness of Whiteyball. | Lit Hub... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2021-07-17 10:30:33 UTC ]
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John Marshall Harlan championed equality — but only for some, writes Peter Canellos. Continue reading at The Washington Post
[ The Washington Post | 2021-07-16 12:00:00 UTC ]
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There is something beautiful about African languages carrying science, fictionalised of course, into imagined futures. Continue reading at The Conversation
[ The Conversation | 2021-07-07 15:04:17 UTC ]
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The Arthur C. Clarke Award, which recognizes the best science fiction novel first published in the United Kingdom during the previous year, has released their 2021 shortlist—and for the first time in the award’s 35-year history, the shortlist is entirely made up of debut novels. “As we announce... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2021-06-30 16:03:59 UTC ]
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Celebrate Pride with science fiction and fantasy reads! We've rounded up some out of this world SFF books with genderfluid characters. Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2021-06-29 10:36:00 UTC ]
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In his short life, Howard, the master of the sword-and-sorcery novel, produced hard-boiled mysteries, an occult thriller, a science fiction novel and more. Continue reading at The Washington Post
[ The Washington Post | 2021-06-09 05:37:45 UTC ]
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Announcing the winners of the 56th Annual Nebula Awards, recognizing the best works of science fiction and fantasy published in the US. Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2021-06-07 14:06:29 UTC ]
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Six novels feature characters who hunger for connection so strongly that they transform their environments. Continue reading at The New York Times
[ The New York Times | 2021-05-27 13:55:11 UTC ]
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Take a deep dive into fantasy and science fiction awards with Jenn, as she looks at the many out there and why you should care. Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2021-05-27 10:39:00 UTC ]
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Western works of science fiction were not easily accessible in translation in South Korea until recent years. The country was ruled by a succession of military dictatorships until around 1992, and before that time, South Korean culture had been surveilled through a state censorship system that... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2021-05-27 08:50:01 UTC ]
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Leaving our earthly bodies and living forever as a machine isn't just a thing of modern science fiction. These transhumanist ideas date back to the 18th century. Continue reading at The Conversation
[ The Conversation | 2021-05-17 05:22:55 UTC ]
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The latest installment in MIT’s Twelve Tomorrows series toggles between utopian and dystopian. Continue reading at The Washington Post
[ The Washington Post | 2021-05-10 12:00:00 UTC ]
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