SF

"The function of science fiction is not always to predict the future but sometimes to prevent it." — Frank Herbert

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  A Cyberpunk Blueprint for Hollywood’s AI Dreams

  Revisiting Pat Cadigan’s 1991 novel “Synners” in light of dystopian developments in Los Angeles.

  Jeff HewittFeb 12

  • SF

  • Film

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  Monsters of the Anthropocene

  Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Frankenstein’ reduces Mary Shelley’s novel to a one-dimensional warning about technological hubris.

  Deborah R. CoenFeb 9

  • SF

  • Science & Technology

  • Film

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  The Kingdom in His Head

  Aran Ward Sell reconsiders the legacy and complex overlapping ‘failures’ of Mervyn Peake’s final novel, ‘Titus Alone.’

  Aran Ward SellJan 19

  • SF

  • Literary Criticism

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  Dangerous, Decadent Depths

  John Knych dissects Hiron Ennes’s ‘The Works of Vermin.’

  John KnychJan 12

  • SF

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  Made for Strength

  Irene Katz Connelly argues for a new approach to witch hysteria via two recent novels, Olga Ravn’s ‘The Wax Child’ and Irene Solà’s ‘I Gave You Eyes and You Looked Toward Darkness.’

  Irene Katz ConnellyJan 10

  • SF

  • Politics

  • Gender & Sexuality

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  Flesh Under Pressure

  Chelsea Davis considers Katherine Dunn’s posthumous story collection ‘Near Flesh.’

  Chelsea DavisJan 4

  • Fiction

  • SF

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  We Are Close, We Are Almost There

  Zachary Gillan reflects on Jeffrey Ford’s ‘Well-Built City Trilogy’ in the era of resurgent fascism.

  Zachary GillanDec 30, 2025

  • SF

  • Politics

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  Fantastical Transcendence and the Magic of Resistance

  Ruth Joffre digs into a new anthology of speculative writing about resistance, edited by Karen Lord, Annalee Newitz, and Malka Older.

  Ruth JoffreDec 28, 2025

  • SF

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  Fascist Pleasures and Failed Satire

  David Shipko faces down postmodern fascism in the video game “Helldivers 2.”

  David ShipkoDec 23, 2025

  • SF

  • Politics

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  Isengard in Oxford

  Christian Kriticos explores J. R. R. Tolkien’s long-lost satire of a motorized world.

  Christian KriticosDec 17, 2025

  • SF

  • Fiction

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  They’re Not Simply Phantoms

  Leland Cheuk talks absolutism and Norse gods with novelist Kurt Baumeister.

  Leland CheukDec 12, 2025

  • Fiction

  • SF

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  Lifestyles of the Rich and Fiendish

  Emy Manini faces Alma Katsu’s demons while reading her newest novel, “Fiend.”

  Emy Manini Dec 11, 2025

  • SF