Science
Fantasy
·
Science
fiction can be described as a subset of the fantastical, just with rationality,
a.k.a. science. It too is filled with elements that are not part of our
reality, like aliens and interstellar travel, although the balance ratio of
improbability to impossibility certainly tilts much further towards
improbability in science fiction than it does in fantasy. And for many elements
are just a matter of time until they become reality. However the border between
science fiction and fantasy is fuzzy enough to create difficulties with
categorization. Science fantasy denotes stories in that gray area. where characteristics
of both are present.
·
Sometimes
it’s not a matter of what elements are used but how they are worked with. The irrational, by its very nature is
mysterious and ceases to be irrational when it is described in scientific or
technological terms. If a character can
read minds, it might be magic if they cast a spell to do so, like in Harry
Potter, but not magic if the author puts forth the premise that telepathy is
caused by a part of the brain that most people can’t access, like in Anne
McCaffrey’s Talents universe. It’s
becoming increasingly unreliable to try and define a genre by its elements or
tropes, beyond a few basics. It’s often
much more revealing to examine how the author uses those elements and what
effect she hopes to gain from them. This
is especially true with such closely intertwined genres as fantasy, science
fiction, and horror.
·
How
important is it to categorize? As long
as it’s a good story, do we care? Maybe better to use specific story elements
or a feel when doing RA.
· Darkover by Marion Zimmer
Bradley
o
Uses
a number of Fantasy themes – psi powers advanced to the point of working like
magic.
o
However
treated almost scientifically with natural laws, experiments, and repeated
results.
o
Feudal
societies – lords, serfs, castles, swords, etc.
o
Traditional
gender roles.
o
Lost
colony.
o
The
wider galactic civilization comes more and more into play as the series
timeline advances.
o
Depends
on the book as to whether it reads more like SF or F. Books about the society’s “lost” years are
much more fantasy-like.
o
I
categorize it as SF because of the Lost Colony aspect and the incontrovertible
evidence of it being part of a larger galactic community. All of her “magic” is recognizable as some
sort of science, even is some of it is (currently) considered
pseudo-science. However, if my first
exposure was “Stormqueen” from the Ages of Chaos, I might very well go Fantasy.
· Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L’Engle
o
Dragons
o
Not
very explicit in scientific explanations.
o
Mrs.
Whatsit, Mrs. Who, & Mrs. Which read as witch-like
o
Travel
to different planets.
o
Father
is a scientist and they use science to travel.
o
I
would label this SF because it has a high-tech feel.
· Warlock in Spite of
Himself
by Christopher Stasheff – first in the Wizard of Gramarye Series
o
Lost
colony – you know this from the very beginning.
The main character – the “Wizard” is out searching for lost colonies.
o
All
the magic is explained away as psi powers – which while pseudo-science is not
entirely outside the realm of science, especially in SF.
· Dragon Rises by Adrienne
Martine-Barnes.
o
Strong
Arthurian themes – main characters, including the POV characters, are
incorporeal beings who keep being reincarnated to play the same roles again and
again. Including as Arthur, Gwenevere,
and Lancelot. Fantasy.
o
However,
the action is all SF. Spaceships, space
battles, different planets, alien species.
Science. Very techie.
o
The
SF is all window-dressing for the drama being played out by the incorporeal
beings. And that window dressing has
changed before and might very well change again.
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