Hey guys and welcome back to my blog! This month I have been participating in Sci Fi Month, an event hosted by Rinn Reads and Over the Effing Rainbow!It's been really fun so far and you should definitely participate with us next year! Today I'm talking about something that has always been a bit confusing to me. What makes a book science fiction?The definition of science fiction is "fiction based on imagined futuristic scientific or technological advances and major social or environmental changes, frequently portraying space or time travel and life on other planets." But what is the major difference between genres such as science fiction and dystopians. For me, I have been wondering this for a while and determined that while not all science fiction works are dystopian, but all or most dystopians are science fiction.
Take Delirium by Lauren Oliver, for instance. No one really thinks of the series where love is a disease as science fiction, but it fits the parameters. Not only does the world in the novel has extreme technological advances, but both the social and environmental aspects of the society has vastly changed. The book is set in the future and fits the definition, but I have never really thought about the series as a science fiction one.
Throughout Sci-Fi Month, I've been asking myself if the books I've been reading are science fiction or not. Another question that I have is if fantasy novels could also be considered science fiction as well. In most fantasy, there are creatures that defy our natural world, but does that make it science fiction? Yes, society in a fantasy novel is vastly different than our world, but the story is set in another universe. I still haven't made my mind up yet on this one!
What are your thoughts? I never really thought about it up until now, but it is an interesting concept that I have read more science fiction books than I think I have. What are some of your favorite science fiction books that you have read?
Thanks for stopping by and I'll see you soon with another post!
Genni @ Ready, Set, Read!
Have you taken a look at Ana's post (Read Me Away)? She discusses something similar :)
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't consider fantasy novels to be sci-fi, but there are definitely books that cover both, or contain mostly elements of one but occasionally cross the boundaries.
No I haven't seen it! I'll check it out on the schedule link!
DeleteSame here, there are definitely some advanced technology and social reforms, but considering it is in a different world, I wouldn't think so.
Thanks Rinn!
I've always thought it kind of funny that acience fiction and fantasy are shelved together although they do sometimes overlap, as you note. Definitions are interesting, there's so much variety in scifi- I tend to like the space opera and dystopian stuff the best. I came to dystopian kinda late, so I'm enjoying the dytopian explosion in YA even as people say it's fading or getting old or whatever. I think there's still room for good dystopians. :)
ReplyDeleteI definitley agree with you on the science fiction and fantasy subject. Space opera is one of my favorite sub genres too! While I don't read dystopians as much as I did a couple years ago, I still like it to this day. In fact, I'm reading a dystopian right now! There are some dystopians that seem a bit run of the mill, but there are some really amazing ones out there. :D
DeleteThanks for stopping by Greg!
~Genni @ Ready, Set, Read!