Lesson 3 - Discussion Topic

DISCUSSION TOPIC:


I've quoted Rod Serling's definition of "Science Fantasy" in the Lesson above. Tell us if you think this is actually a genre, or if you think that Fantasy and Science Fiction must by necessity be considered distinct genres.

Can you give examples of your opinion? If the examples are on WDC, an item or bitem link is sufficient. If offsite, please give the title and author. Also give your reasons for your opinion and a few sentences on your choice of examples.


I definitely believe "Science Fantasy" is a genre.

I am thinking of Stephen King for an example. He wrote a novella called "The Fog" where top secret government work accidentally opened up another dimension that let out giant insects big enough to kill and eat people. The government had no solution to the problem. The story took place with the characters hiding inside a grocery store and the bugs on the outside eating anyone that came out. It bordered on science fiction because the idea of investigating alternate dimensions, although it might alternately be due to fantasy, is to me a definite science fiction application. Then of course, bugs that eat people are right up there with Godzilla and Rodan on the fantasy level.

Piers Anthony wrote a novel called "The Isle of Woman" which to me is an example of "Science Fantasy". It is a novel tracing the history of mankind from the most prehistoric time to the present. In it he relies on currently known or accepted archaeological science to trace the culture and technology a mythological human couple experience in their journey from the past to the present. Although the historical premise is based loosely on fact, he also relies on a fantasy element where he develops a romantic relationship between a man and a woman running over the content of the book that spans over one hundred thousand years.