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Issue Details: First known date: 1999... 1999 Strange Constellations : A History of Australian Science Fiction
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'A study of authors who have devoted a substantial part of their writing careers to S[cience] F[iction]'. Takes an inclusive approach to the genre, encompassing works such as SF romances, utopian and distopian novels, political and military thrillers, fantasy and supernatural horror. The overall emphasis is on works which take a scientific view so there is no comprehensive coverage of fantasy and horror.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

Works about this Work

The Fiction of the Future : Australian Science Fiction Russell Blackford , 2012 single work criticism
— Appears in: Sold by the Millions : Australia's Bestsellers 2012; (p. 128-140)
'According to Russell Blackford 'commercial science fiction is the most international of literary forms.' He observes that 'Australian SF continues to flourish, even if it trails heroic fantasy in mass-market appeal.' Australian SF writers although published internationally, with a dedicated fan followings in USA, UK and Europe, were overlooked for a very long time by Australian multinational publishers. The international editions had to be imported and were then distributed in Australia (Congreve and Marquardt 8). Blackford in his chapter throws light on the history of Australian SF and observes how Australian SF writers, with their concern for the future, achieved a powerful synthesis in form and content. The progress of Australian SF, maturity of style in the work of younger writers, and massive worldwide sales make Blackford optimistic as he asserts that 'the best Australian writers in the genre will be prominent players on the world stage.' (Editor's foreword xii-xiii)
The Victorian Crisis of Faith in Australian Utopian Literature, Zachary Kendal , 2011 single work criticism
— Appears in: Colloquy : Text Theory Critique , November no. 21 2011;
This paper investigates 'some of the different treatments of science and religion in Australian utopian literature from 1870 to 1900.' Kendal contends 'that an examination of this literature supports recent historiography, which contests the problematic science-versus-religion dichotomy that has often been used to characterise the Victorian "crisis of faith."' (Source: Introduction)
Australian Science Fiction, as Showcased by Australian SF Anthologies Stephan Kraitsowits , 2011 single work criticism
— Appears in: JASAL , Special Issue vol. 11 no. 1 2011; (p. 1-11)
'An apparently convenient way of studying Australian science fiction is to analyse the contents of ready-made anthologies of Australian science fiction. In doing so, the researcher discreetly circumvents the thorny issue of 'What is Australian?' and also 'What is science fiction?' by taking for granted that the texts within collections of Australian sf necessarily are Australian science fiction. Things, however, are never quite so simple and before being able to add to the debate as to what Australian science fiction truly is, it is necessary to overview the 50 odd years separating the most recent sf anthologies from the very first anthology showcasing Australian science fiction and to plot the meandering course of the genre's commercial development.' (Author's abstract)
Australian Science Fiction : In Search of the 'Feel' Dorotta Guttfeld , 2007-2008 single work criticism
— Appears in: Zeitschrift fur Australienstudien , no. 21-22 2007-2008; (p. 65-72)
A Mixed Bag for Science Fiction Scholarship Darren Jorgensen , 2001 single work review
— Appears in: Southern Review , vol. 34 no. 3 2001; (p. 127-131)

— Review of Strange Constellations : A History of Australian Science Fiction Russell Blackford , Van Ikin , Sean McMullen , 1999 reference criticism
A Mixed Bag for Science Fiction Scholarship Darren Jorgensen , 2001 single work review
— Appears in: Southern Review , vol. 34 no. 3 2001; (p. 127-131)

— Review of Strange Constellations : A History of Australian Science Fiction Russell Blackford , Van Ikin , Sean McMullen , 1999 reference criticism
Hugo Winner of the Golden Age Terry Dowling , 2000 single work review
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian , 15-16 January 2000; (p. 14)

— Review of Teranesia Greg Egan , 1999 single work novel ; Centaurus : The Best of Australian Science Fiction 1999 anthology short story ; Strange Constellations : A History of Australian Science Fiction Russell Blackford , Van Ikin , Sean McMullen , 1999 reference criticism
Yesterday's Futures Peter Nicholls , 2000 single work review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , February-March no. 218 2000; (p. 31-32)

— Review of Strange Constellations : A History of Australian Science Fiction Russell Blackford , Van Ikin , Sean McMullen , 1999 reference criticism
Valuable History of Local SF Colin Steele , 2000 single work review
— Appears in: The Canberra Times , 8 July 2000; (p. 20)

— Review of Strange Constellations : A History of Australian Science Fiction Russell Blackford , Van Ikin , Sean McMullen , 1999 reference criticism
A Responsible Survey of Sci-Fi Joan Gordon , 2000 single work review
— Appears in: Antipodes , December vol. 14 no. 2 2000; (p. 170-171)

— Review of Strange Constellations : A History of Australian Science Fiction Russell Blackford , Van Ikin , Sean McMullen , 1999 reference criticism
Australian Science Fiction : In Search of the 'Feel' Dorotta Guttfeld , 2007-2008 single work criticism
— Appears in: Zeitschrift fur Australienstudien , no. 21-22 2007-2008; (p. 65-72)
Australian Science Fiction, as Showcased by Australian SF Anthologies Stephan Kraitsowits , 2011 single work criticism
— Appears in: JASAL , Special Issue vol. 11 no. 1 2011; (p. 1-11)
'An apparently convenient way of studying Australian science fiction is to analyse the contents of ready-made anthologies of Australian science fiction. In doing so, the researcher discreetly circumvents the thorny issue of 'What is Australian?' and also 'What is science fiction?' by taking for granted that the texts within collections of Australian sf necessarily are Australian science fiction. Things, however, are never quite so simple and before being able to add to the debate as to what Australian science fiction truly is, it is necessary to overview the 50 odd years separating the most recent sf anthologies from the very first anthology showcasing Australian science fiction and to plot the meandering course of the genre's commercial development.' (Author's abstract)
The Victorian Crisis of Faith in Australian Utopian Literature, Zachary Kendal , 2011 single work criticism
— Appears in: Colloquy : Text Theory Critique , November no. 21 2011;
This paper investigates 'some of the different treatments of science and religion in Australian utopian literature from 1870 to 1900.' Kendal contends 'that an examination of this literature supports recent historiography, which contests the problematic science-versus-religion dichotomy that has often been used to characterise the Victorian "crisis of faith."' (Source: Introduction)
The Fiction of the Future : Australian Science Fiction Russell Blackford , 2012 single work criticism
— Appears in: Sold by the Millions : Australia's Bestsellers 2012; (p. 128-140)
'According to Russell Blackford 'commercial science fiction is the most international of literary forms.' He observes that 'Australian SF continues to flourish, even if it trails heroic fantasy in mass-market appeal.' Australian SF writers although published internationally, with a dedicated fan followings in USA, UK and Europe, were overlooked for a very long time by Australian multinational publishers. The international editions had to be imported and were then distributed in Australia (Congreve and Marquardt 8). Blackford in his chapter throws light on the history of Australian SF and observes how Australian SF writers, with their concern for the future, achieved a powerful synthesis in form and content. The progress of Australian SF, maturity of style in the work of younger writers, and massive worldwide sales make Blackford optimistic as he asserts that 'the best Australian writers in the genre will be prominent players on the world stage.' (Editor's foreword xii-xiii)
Recent Studies of Science Fiction in Australia Michael Levy , 2000 single work criticism review
— Appears in: Science Fiction Studies , March vol. 27 no. 1 2000; (p. 124-131)
Last amended 20 Jun 2014 13:25:05
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