Fantasy and Science
Fiction
Textbook Reflection
When a story takes the reader away from physical reality,
the book then falls into the subgenre of fantasy.
Fantasy novels can then fall into the subcategory of science fiction. All fantasy books are not science fiction, but, all science fiction books are fantasy. Science
fiction books can be divided into hard science fiction (more science than
story) and soft science fiction (more urban feel). Science fiction books have
the same themes, character development and plot twists as realistic fiction;
however, they just have a more unique setting. Science fiction has 10 different
categories that books can be divided into; however, books can have elements of
several different categories. The first category
is apocalyptic which is the end of
the world and post-apocalyptic which
is the survival after the disaster. Next is the “Punks” including cyberpunk (features
cyber hacking typically dark and in the future), steampunk (features over the top steam powered technology typically
in Victorian England) and biopunk (where
DNA is manipulated or the brain becomes wired typically dark and futuristic). Dystopia is the next subcategory of
science fiction. Dystopia has several key elements include propaganda, limited
independent thought, worshipped figure head, citizens controlled and
individualism prohibited. The main character(s) typically join a resistance
movement to bring down the government. The next subcategory involves Extra Sensory Perception (ESP) which
includes telepathy, clairvoyance, and precognition. Another subcategory
includes Robots, Androids, Cyborgs and Artificial
Intelligence which have some form of robot as a character. Next is Space/Aliens and Extra Terrestrials which includes books that are over the top space
operas, first contact, colonialization, conspiracy and space invasion stories. Another
category is time travel and parallel universes which usually involves
some sort of paradox with altered events, rescuing a family member or escaping
a dying world or a disaster. Virtual
Reality and Gaming is also a
subcategory that involves either the main character lost in a virtual reality
game or dealing with chips implanted in the brain. The final category is
miscellaneous which hold everything that defies one certain category. Science
Fiction holds a variety of excellent literature that does have something for
everyone. While looking at science fiction for the school library: the
characters must behave in a consistent and believable way, there must be rules
for the fantasy world, authors must help readers with the “willing suspension
of disbelief” and the book needs to explore universal truths.
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