Geeks and Battlers: Intersections of Generic Specificity and National Narrative in Writing Australian Science Fiction

Sylvia Kelso

doi:10.25120/etropic.3.2.2004.3442

Abstract

Three or four years ago I gave a paper at ICFA on the theoretical problems on race, in particular, that I foresaw in writing a work of Australian SF (Kelso, “Aliens”). Two years ago I used another paper to consider how you actually define SF. This is a field report, so to speak, on what writing the novel showed me about the SF genre, especially as its specificities intersected those of Australian narrative in “Australian science fiction.”

Highlights

In 2000 I had gathered a roughly consensual but longterm definition of SF by content
I looked at what Jameson calls the genre as social contract (106): that is, what readers and writers agree is or is not, in this case, SF
If we reconsider “sensawunda,” we find, first, that it remains a watchword of SF reviews, titles, and cover blurbs

Summary

Introduction

In 2000 I had gathered a roughly consensual but longterm definition of SF by content. Critical formulations of Australian national narratives focus on two important aspects, the landscape, and the protagonist. In contrast to the SF geek, the Australian protagonist is, according to Tom Ryan, a battler against overwhelming odds which cannot be defeated even if they are confronted head-on, but which will allow survival if he/she suffers the indignities without asserting resentment.

Results

Conclusion