<p>I spent 40 years being married to a Lilith, so 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 (2<sup>nd</sup> 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.</p>

- Sheldon Teitelbaum, co-editor of Zion’s Fiction: A Treasury of Israeli Speculative Literature,

Science fiction first emerged in the Industrial Age and continued to develop into its current form during the twentieth century. This book analyses the role Jewish writers played in the process of its creation and development. The author provides a comprehensive overview, bridging such seemingly disparate themes and figures as the ghetto legends of the golem and their influence on both Frankenstein and robots, the role of, Jewish authors and publishers in developing the first science fiction magazine in New York in the 1930s, and their later contributions to new and developing medial forms like comics film. Drawing on the historical context and the positions Jews held in the larger cultural environment, the author illustrates how themes and tropes in science fiction and fantasy relate back to the realities of Jewish life in the face of global anti-Semitism, the struggle to assimilate in America, and the hope that was inspired by the founding of Israel.
Les mer
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.
Les mer
IntroductionChapter 1: Roots of Fantasy: The Monsters of Jewish FolkloreChapter 2: Speculative Fiction in the New WorldChapter 3: The Golden Age: American Science Fiction BeginsChapter 4: Stereotypes Proliferate: A Darkening Western EuropeChapter 5: Eastern Europe’s Social Science FictionChapter 6: Kafka’s Great LegacyChapter 7: The Old-New Land: From Zionism to Israeli LiteratureChapter 8: Fighting Hitler Onscreen: Marxes, Stooges, and MoreChapter 9: More Golden Ages: Superman, Captain America, Dr. SeussConclusionWorks CitedIndexAbout the Author
Les mer
I spent 40 years being married to a Lilith, so 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.
Les mer

Produktdetaljer

ISBN
9781793637123
Publisert
2021-06-17
Utgiver
Vendor
Lexington Books
Vekt
522 gr
Høyde
228 mm
Bredde
162 mm
Dybde
23 mm
Aldersnivå
P, 06
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Innbundet
Antall sider
230

Om bidragsyterne

Valerie Estelle Frankel teaches at Mission College and San Jose City College.