As we know, and there is no need to list every example yet again, Poul Anderson wrote:science fiction, including space opera, speculative fiction, future history, alternative history etc
historical fiction
historical science fiction
fantasy
historical fantasy
heroic fantasy
historical fiction with an element of fantasy
a contemporary novel with one element of fantasy (or just of psychology?)
detective fiction
- so genres can overlap.
How much is permissible in a contemporary novel before it tips over from mainstream into genre fiction? Psychic abilities and apparitions are attested, although not yet scientifically explained, so does the following dialogue belong in a contemporary novel?
"'Do you ever see the future?'
"'Yes, but there are many futures and not all of them come true.'"
-Susan Howatch, Glittering Images (London, 1996), PART TWO, ELEVEN, VIII, p. 424.
- as well as a visible "ghost" in a later volume?
My friend, Fran Cobden, claimed to be able to see the future in this way. The proposition that there are many futures not all of which come true does not surprise us in sf but pushes a boundary in contemporary fiction. See SM Stirling's character, Yasmini. Poul Anderson also presents a single, unalterable future in There Will Be Time.
6 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
Here I have to say Stirling surpassed Anderson in the alternate timeline or universe sub-genre of science fiction. Altho of course he drew on THREE HEARTS AND THREE LIONS, and A MIDSUMMER TEMPEST. He even mentions some of Anderson's works in CONQUISTADOR.
It's debatable whether mysteries set in contemporary times should be considered "mainstream" or not. What sets them apart, of course, is how they focus on the problem of solving crime, on tracking down and catching the perpetrator.
I would argue THE DANCER FROM ATLANTIS also shows us an immutable timeline.
Ad astra! Sean
Sean,
Detective fiction is a genre and I dislike the "crossword puzzle" type dialogue at the end of a Poirot novel.
Paul.
Sean,
I think that CONQUISTADOR and THE PESHAWAR LANCERS are perfect alternative history novels. They convey the sense of adventure in a new world.
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
Re Hercule Poirot: That I had not noticed, if only because I was never that much of an Agatha Christie fan.
I did like Dorothy L. Sayers' mysteries. Any opinions about them? And I loved her translation of Dante's DIVINE COMEDY.
I agree with what you said about Stirling's CONQUISTADOR and THE PESHAWAR LANCERS. And I would include his two Lords of Creation books, even tho you did not much care for IN THE COURTS OF THE CRIMSON KINGS.
And Stirling's four Draka books are perfect dystopian alternate history SF!
Ad astra! Sean
Sean,
I have only read one Lord Peter book and think it was good but remember little about it.
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
Gotcha. I think they are well worth reading. And, being set in the 1920's, they are now interesting period pieces.
Ad astra! Sean
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