Flowers of Time: On Postapocalyptic Fiction

Postapocalyptic fiction explores the aftermath of civilizations' destruction, comparing it to other literary genres and political theory. Mark Payne argues that it reveals what it would be like to inhabit a postapocalyptic world, providing a space for new conditions and possibilities for life and humanity.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 27 October 2020
Publisher: Princeton University Press

The literary tradition of postapocalyptic fiction, which explores narratives set in a world after the collapse of civilizations, is a rich and varied one that spans a vast expanse of time, from ancient times to the present. This genre encompasses a wide range of works, including the biblical tale of Noah and Hesiod's Works and Days, as well as the masterpieces of Mary Shelley, Octavia Butler, Cormac McCarthy, and many other renowned authors.

Flowers of Time: An Exploration of Postapocalyptic Fiction takes readers on a journey through this literary legacy, tracing the evolution of postapocalyptic fiction from its ancient roots to its contemporary manifestations. The book delves into how postapocalyptic fiction differs from other genres, such as pastoral poetry, science fiction, and the maroon narrative, in its exploration of human capabilities beyond the confines of civilization.

Mark Payne, the author of Flowers of Time, brings postapocalyptic fiction into conversation with a range of political theorists, including Aristotle, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Claude Lévi-Strauss, and Carl Schmitt. Through this comparative analysis, Payne demonstrates how postapocalyptic fiction functions as a political theory in fictional form, offering insights into the ways in which it reflects and shapes our understanding of politics and society.

One of the key themes of Flowers of Time is the idea of freedom in a postapocalyptic world. Payne argues that, unlike pastoralism and maroon narratives, which rely on escaping to real-world hills or creating autonomous spaces, only an apocalyptic event can create a space where such freedoms are feasible once again. In a fully owned and occupied Earth, where the pastoralist and the maroon are constrained by the rules and regulations of civilization, only a catastrophic event can break free from these constraints and allow for new possibilities for life and humanity.

Flowers of Time explores how fictional narratives set after the world's devastation represent new conditions and possibilities for life and humanity. The book examines how postapocalyptic fiction offers a way to think about the future and the potential for change in a world that is often fraught with uncertainty and danger. Through its exploration of different postapocalyptic worlds and scenarios, Flowers of Time encourages readers to consider the possibilities for a better future and the steps that can be taken to achieve it.

In conclusion, Flowers of Time: An Exploration of Postapocalyptic Fiction is a comprehensive and thought-provoking study of this literary genre. By tracing the evolution of postapocalyptic fiction from antiquity to the present, the book offers insights into the ways in which it reflects and shapes our understanding of politics, society, and the human condition. Through its comparative analysis of postapocalyptic fiction with political theory, Flowers of Time encourages readers to think critically about the future and the potential for change in a world that is constantly evolving.

Weight: 282g
Dimension: 139 x 216 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691205946