Latin American Science Fiction Writers: An A-to-Z Guide

(Hardback)

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Description

Many readers are unaware of the vast universe of Latin American science fiction, which has its roots in the 18th century and has flourished to the present day. Because science fiction is part of Latin American popular culture, it reflects cultural and social concerns and comments on contemporary society. While there is a growing body of criticism on Latin American science fiction, most studies treat only a single author or work. This reference offers a broad overview of Latin American science fiction. Included are alphabetically arranged entries on 70 Latin American science fiction writers. While some of these are canonical figures, others have been largely neglected. Since much of science fiction has been written by women, many women writers are profiled. Each entry is prepared by an expert contributor and includes a short biography, a discussion of the writer's works, and primary and secondary bibliographies. The volume closes with a general bibliography of anthologies and criticism.

Reviews

(Reviewed with Mystery Writers) [T]hese two new titles fill a void. Both genres are relatively fledgling, and furthermore, the notion of "popular culture" in Latin America is a recent phenomenon. Receommended for libraries serving Latin American studies programs.-Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin
[P]rovides a comprehensive catalog of the genre, positioning its presence in Hispanic narrative and seeking to stimulate further research. Furthermore, the book is a source of review of both canonical and more recent authors of science fiction in Latin America and it allows for the exploration of the particular identity of Spanish American science-fiction....[i]n this index of writers, it is possible to identify the influence of foreign models on the Latin American science fiction writing along with its own homegrown roots that have molded the genre into the singular genre it is today. Therefore, this book serves well as a tool for identifying who's who in Hispanic science fiction literature.-Arizona Journal of Hispanic Cultural Studies
[T]his guide provides a valuable foundation for study of an underexamined body of literature. Recommended. Academic collections.-Choice
The most controversial book of 2004.-LOCUS
The most controversial book of 2004.LOCUS
"(Reviewed with Mystery Writers) These two new titles fill a void. Both genres are relatively fledgling, and furthermore, the notion of "popular culture" in Latin America is a recent phenomenon. Receommended for libraries serving Latin American studies programs."-Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin
"Provides a comprehensive catalog of the genre, positioning its presence in Hispanic narrative and seeking to stimulate further research. Furthermore, the book is a source of review of both canonical and more recent authors of science fiction in Latin America and it allows for the exploration of the particular identity of Spanish American science-fiction....in this index of writers, it is possible to identify the influence of foreign models on the Latin American science fiction writing along with its own homegrown roots that have molded the genre into the singular genre it is today. Therefore, this book serves well as a tool for identifying who's who in Hispanic science fiction literature."-Arizona Journal of Hispanic Cultural Studies
"This guide provides a valuable foundation for study of an underexamined body of literature. Recommended. Academic collections."-Choice
"The most controversial book of 2004."-LOCUS
"(Reviewed with Mystery Writers) [T]hese two new titles fill a void. Both genres are relatively fledgling, and furthermore, the notion of "popular culture" in Latin America is a recent phenomenon. Receommended for libraries serving Latin American studies programs."-Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin
"[T]his guide provides a valuable foundation for study of an underexamined body of literature. Recommended. Academic collections."-Choice
"[P]rovides a comprehensive catalog of the genre, positioning its presence in Hispanic narrative and seeking to stimulate further research. Furthermore, the book is a source of review of both canonical and more recent authors of science fiction in Latin America and it allows for the exploration of the particular identity of Spanish American science-fiction....[i]n this index of writers, it is possible to identify the influence of foreign models on the Latin American science fiction writing along with its own homegrown roots that have molded the genre into the singular genre it is today. Therefore, this book serves well as a tool for identifying who's who in Hispanic science fiction literature."-Arizona Journal of Hispanic Cultural Studies

Author Bio

DARRELL B. LOCKHART is an assistant professor of Spanish at the University of Nevada, Reno where he teaches Latin American literature, popular culture, and film. He is the editor of Latin American Jewish Writers: A Dictionary (1997), co-author of Culture and Customs of Argentina (Greenwood, 1998), and editor of Latin American Science Fiction Writers and Latin American Mystery Writers (both Greenwood, 2004).