Cosmos latinos: an anthology of science fiction from Latin America and Spain

Abstract

Opening a window onto a new world for English-speaking readers, this anthology offers science fiction stories from over ten Latin American countries and Spain, chronologically ranging from 1862 to the early 21st century. Latin American and Spanish science fiction shares many thematic and stylistic elements with anglophone science fiction, but there are important differences: many downplay scientific plausibility, and others show the influence of the region's celebrated literary fantastic. In the 27 stories included here, a 16th-century conquistador is re-envisioned as a cosmonaut, Mexican factory workers receive pleasure-giving bio-implants, and warring bands of terrorists travel through time attempting to reverse the outcome of historical events. The introduction examines the ways the genre has developed in Latin America and Spain since the 1700s and studies science fiction as a means of defamiliarizing, and then critiquing, regional culture, history and politics - especially in times of censorship and political repression. The volume also includes a brief introduction to each story and its author, and a bibliography of primary and secondary works.