Genres And The Cosmic Context

An ordinary novel shows individuals as part of human society whereas sf shows us "...as an organic part of the universe." (See the quotation from Brian Aldiss in More Mainstream-SF Interaction.) However, human society is part of the universe. It must be possible to place society in its cosmic context by linking works of different genres without compromising their distinctive genres. Thus, I have begun to read Penmarric by Susan Howatch, a 706-page family saga with five successive narrators covering the period 1890-1945. First, the arrival of an extraterrestrial spacecraft in Cornwall during that period would transform the novel into sf and, secondly, that is the very last thing that any reader wants to happen! However, the Cornish cliff mansion of Penmarric exists in a universe - or in a multiverse - where events like the arrivals of spacecraft can happen elsewhere/when.

Historical, contemporary and futuristic novels could be linked by time travel, provided that the time travelers did not declare their extratemporal status in the non-sf works. Thus, readers might recognize a Time Patrolman blending into a historical period or into contemporary society. Poul Anderson's Old Phoenix Inn is an excellent venue for meetings between characters from different kinds of works. Authors can link genres in other ways. Common characters connect Dornford Yates's social comedies, thrillers and one fantasy novel. Literature and fiction are one and can be seen as such.