{"product_id":"alien-theory-9780810857469","title":"Alien Theory","description":"\u003cb\u003eBook Synopsis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFrom the early days of pulp magazines to contemporary works of science fiction, the subject of the alien has been a fertile and enduringif not also the most vitalelement of the genre. In Alien Theory, author Patricia Monk asserts that the creation of the alien in short fiction contributes substantially to humanity''s understanding of its present status and future potential in the universe. By employing a Jungian and archetypal approach to these stories, Monk attempts to direct the attention of readers to the significance of the vast body of imaginative fiction about the alien, arguing that studying the alien will reveal why this archetype is necessary in the development of humanity''s understanding of its own intrinsic nature as a sapient being.  When a science fiction writer writes about aliens, Monk asserts, he or she is saying something that canand shouldbe taken seriously by readers. Furthermore, it is being expressed in a particular story-telling mode that deserves to be treated w\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTrade Review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMonk, a former professor of English at Dalhousie U. in Nova Scotia, examines instances of aliens (often not studied seriously) in short stories, novellas, and novelettes and what they convey about human existence. Viewing the alien as an archetype, she focuses on hard science fiction from 1900 to the present that was published in magazines, anthologies, and single-author collections. She provides an overview of the concept of the Other in the nineteenth and early twentieth century, and describes conceptions of the alien in pre- postmodernist and postmodernist criticism and theory, creation of the alien and its context, and how it is used as a fictional character alongside human characters. The book is aimed at academics, students, and general readers. * Reference and Research Book News, November2006 *\u003cbr\u003eThose who feel the need for a volume that provides full and engaging information on the microcosm of the alien in short works of science fiction will find this book the perfect resource. * CHOICE, March 2007 *\u003cbr\u003ePatricia Monk's wide-ranging, intelligent, well-documented, and interesting study readily serves as an exemplary bit of scholarship and literary criticism in handling a very large and extensive sf topic. * Science Fiction Research Association Review *\u003cbr\u003eThe book is unique and useful in referring to science and how-to-write essays and fan letters as well as fiction....I would strongly recommend the book for any teacher or student desiring a thorough examination of aliens. Patricia Monk shows that the stories science fiction tells about aliens can add to our understanding of ourselves and of each other. * The Journal of the Fantastic in the Arts *\u003cbr\u003eThe 47-page bibliography is an accurate index of the vast range of materials on which Patricia Monk has drawn, and her frequent references to discussions of aliens in sf magazine articles and letters to the editor are particularly valuable....All in all,  Alien Theory  is a major study that will prove a useful point of departure for future studies. -- Patrick A. McCarthy, University of Miami * Science Fiction Studies *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTable of Contents\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePart 1 List of Abbreviations Part 2 Preface Part 3 Acknowledgments Part 4 Introduction: Theorizing OtherSelfness Part 5 PART I: Conceiving the Alien Chapter 6 1. Who Goes There? The Concept of the Extraterrestrial Alien since Darwin Chapter 7 2. Nailing Jelly to a Tree: Theorizing the Alien Part 8 PART II: Writing the Alien Chapter 9 3. A Question of Shape: Alien Form Chapter 10 4. The Thought That Counts: The Alien Psyche Chapter 11 5. Sleeping with the Alien: The Society of the Alien Part 12 PART III: Reading the Alien Chapter 13 6. Figuring It Out: The Literary Modeling of the Alien Chapter 14 7. Necessary Alterity: The Why of the Alien Part 15 Conclusion: The Archetype, the Alien, and the Human Part 16 Bibliography Part 17 Index Part 18 About the Author","brand":"Scarecrow Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51038331109719,"sku":"9780810857469","price":64.8,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0817\/1739\/5799\/files\/9780810857469.jpg?v=1750939945","url":"https:\/\/bookcurl.com\/products\/alien-theory-9780810857469","provider":"Book Curl","version":"1.0","type":"link"}