Midterm Paper Summary

Here is the introduction to my midterm paper, which examines four major subgenres of science fiction for the purposes of readers' advisory work:

Science fiction is a wide and varied genre that attracts readers for a variety of reasons. Performing readers’ advisory work for patrons interested in science fiction can be difficult for librarians unfamiliar with the genre, but a bit of familiarity with science fiction’s subgenres and book awards can provide valuable help. This essay will examine four of science fiction’s broadest subgenres (hard science fiction, space opera, utopian fiction, and dystopian fiction), as well as major science fiction awards as beginning points for readers’ advisory. The four subgenres described here can also be thought of as two different axes for examining works belonging to the science fiction genre: hard science fiction and space opera being opposite ends of an axis that track the scientific rigor and accuracy of a work, and utopian and dystopian fiction forming another axis tracking a work’s overall tone and attitude toward the story. This is not an exact system, but provides a framework that may be helpful in a readers’ advisory capacity.

In the essay, I spend some time looking at the history of each of these four subgenres and recommend a list of books that are representative of aspects of the subgenre. For example, I examine the "hard science fiction" subgenre that focuses on scientific rigor and accuracy above all else, and also describe some of the problems this subgenre has had with bigotry, sexism, and gatekeeping. Then I contrast it with the space opera subgenre, which stands on the opposite end of the spectrum and focuses on grand scales, flashy effects, and character-driven stories.

Another axis I examine in the paper is the utopian/dystopian fiction spectrum. Utopian and dystopian fiction have lots of overlap, and fans of both types of story will defend their preference by pointing out how ultimately hopeful the subgenres can be, whether by depicting an ideal future society or by spurring readers to action by describing the worst possible future society. Stories do not tend to fall cleanly into one or the other of these subgenres, so it is helpful to think of them as opposite ends of a spectrum.

Hopefully my choice to divide science fiction into these main subgenres/axes is helpful for librarians unfamiliar with the genre looking for resources to help with advising readers who are looking for a good sci-fi book to read!