Jewish Science Fiction and Fantasy through 1945 Immigrants in the Golden Age
Product details
Biographical note
Valerie Estelle Frankel teaches at Mission College and San Jose City College.I have a special appreciation for Valerie Frankel’s compilation of this, the first volume of her Jewish Science Fiction and Fantasy series. As the contributor of a 20-page entry to the Encyclopedia Judaica (2nd Edition) on the same topic back in 1999, I thought I’d hit all the beats. Alas, not even close. Yids in space!? You have no idea. Scholars and fans rejoice, because this mammoth and indispensable undertaking will not soon be surpassed.
- Sheldon Teitelbaum, co-editor of Zion’s Fiction: A Treasury of Israeli Speculative Literature,
Frankel takes a broad view of speculative fiction and traces the way the Jewish people throughout history have used science, the supernatural, and fantasy to explain and interact with the world around them. Her willingness to be expansive in her subject matter allows her to gather evidence that strays far beyond the traditional definition of the genre, but clearly fits. The formalization of science fiction as a genre included numerous Jewish authors, editors, and publishers and Frankel provides a rationale for their participation, demonstrating that it is the latest evolution in a long history of using the same techniques of understanding their world and trying to bring about social and scientific change.
- Steven H. Silver, author of After Hastings,
This book investigates the role of Jewish legends and tropes in the creation and development of speculative fiction during the European Enlightenment, in America’s golden age magazines, superhero comics, and films, and with magical realism trends in South America and Israel, arguing that Jewish writers created and perfected the genre.
Introduction
Chapter 1: Roots of Fantasy: The Monsters of Jewish Folklore
Chapter 2: Speculative Fiction in the New World
Chapter 3: The Golden Age: American Science Fiction Begins
Chapter 4: Stereotypes Proliferate: A Darkening Western Europe
Chapter 5: Eastern Europe’s Social Science Fiction
Chapter 6: Kafka’s Great Legacy
Chapter 7: The Old-New Land: From Zionism to Israeli Literature
Chapter 8: Fighting Hitler Onscreen: Marxes, Stooges, and More
Chapter 9: More Golden Ages: Superman, Captain America, Dr. Seuss
Conclusion
Works Cited
Index
About the Author
Jewish science fiction is a monumental literary genre worldwide, with hundreds of novels and short stories along with an enormous canon of films, plays, television shows, and graphic novels. It’s also strikingly popular. Not only have works of this category just won the Hugo and World Fantasy Award while dominating bestseller lists, but talks on the subject are standing room only. The Own Voices movement has led to a renaissance of Jewish fantasy, even as its authors create imaginary worlds reflecting their unique cultures. This series seeks subtopics of exploration within the massive canon, defining aspects of Jewish genre fiction and its unique qualities. It features both monographs and anthologies focused on trends, tropes, individual authors, beloved franchises, and so on. Scholars of all disciplines are welcome, especially those in Jewish Studies, Literature, and Media Studies, while interdisciplinary and international perspectives are particularly encouraged.
Series Editor: Valerie Estelle Frankel