Age and Ageing in Contemporary Speculative and Science Fiction

This book explores the relationship between speculative/science fiction and our understanding of what it is to be a human in time, analyzing texts from Europe, North America, and South Asia, as well as television programs and films.

Format: Hardback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 09 February 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

This book, delving into the contemporary era, seamlessly weaves together critical age studies and contemporary science fiction to establish the profound significance of age and aging in dystopian, speculative, and science-fiction narratives. By examining a diverse range of texts from Europe, North America, and South Asia, as well as television programs and films, the contributions in this volume encompass a wide spectrum, ranging from essays that identify genre-based trends in the representation of age and aging to in-depth studies of specific texts and concerns. Collectively, the volume explores the intricate interplay between speculative/science fiction and our evolving understanding of what it means to be a human in the context of time: both the time of our own lives and the times of the past and the future.

The book opens with an introductory chapter that provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the relationship between age and science fiction. It explores the historical roots of ageism and how it has manifested in various forms of media over time. The chapter also highlights the ways in which science fiction has responded to and challenged ageist stereotypes and assumptions.

The subsequent chapters delve into specific genres within science fiction and explore how they portray age and aging. For instance, one chapter examines the role of older characters in post-apocalyptic narratives, while another explores the representation of age and technology in cyberpunk fiction. The authors analyze how these genres reflect and reinforce societal attitudes towards aging and offer critical insights into the potential consequences of these representations.

In addition to genre-specific analyses, the book also includes case studies of individual texts and films that explore the complex relationship between age and power. These studies analyze how older characters are often marginalized or exploited in these narratives, and how they challenge or subvert traditional power structures. The authors argue that these texts offer valuable opportunities for reimagining the role of older people in society and for promoting greater inclusivity and diversity.

Throughout the volume, the authors draw on a range of theoretical frameworks, including feminist theory, postcolonial theory, and critical race theory, to analyze the representations of age and aging. They argue that these frameworks provide valuable tools for understanding the complex intersections of age, gender, race, and class in science fiction and for challenging dominant narratives that perpetuate ageism and other forms of discrimination.

In conclusion, this book is a groundbreaking contribution to the field of critical age studies and contemporary science fiction. By bringing together these two disciplines, it offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary analysis of the role of age and aging in dystopian, speculative, and science-fiction imaginaries. The contributions in this volume provide valuable insights into the complex relationship between science fiction and our understanding of what it means to be a human in time, and they offer a roadmap for future research and advocacy in this area.

Weight: 528g
Dimension: 241 x 163 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350230668