RAN'S BLOG FOR LITERATURE OF HORROR, FANTASY, AND SCI-FI

  This week we are attempting to distinguish between writing in genre and writing that may use elements of the genre. The novel I chose to read is The Handmaid's Tale written by Margret Atwood.   It is set in a near-future new England, in a totalitarian, Christian theonomy that has overthrown the United States government. The novel is based on the journey of a handmaid named Offred. Her name echoes the commander, whom she serves.    When it comes to the question is it an important or necessary distinction or not, I would say it is not. The Handmaid's Tale is a pretty good example that took elements of the genre. The story is dystopian, but it seems like also blend future fiction elements, such as the government. The government is completely powered by male and it is authoritarian, which reminds me many future fictions. Also, it took the elements from novels from a century ago. The whole social system and values are male-dominated, female lost their accomplishment on in

1. What is your reaction to the text you just read? When I was reading the story, there was a moment that I was confused in the beginning. It seems like there is a long story before this story, like how human escaped from the earth and settled down on the Tlic planet. I was expecting the writer to explain, but after I finished reading, things got clear. In the story, the insect-like alien lifeforms called Tlic pick one child from a family to bear their own young generation. It is surprised to me that they not only choose female but also choose male. Octavia Butler kind of reflected the equality of men and women concept. However, what ironic is the dream that equality of male and female came true when they are under other species' government. 2. What connections did you make with the story that you read? Discuss the elements of the work with which you were able to connect. The connection that I made with the story is the relationship between siblings. Although I don'

The topic for this week's reading was cyberpunk and steampunk. I am a big fan of cyberpunk and steampunk, so I am pretty excited about this week's topic. I read the Fragments of a Hologram and watched the movie the Ghost in the Shell(1995) . The Fragments of a Hologram tells the story of a jilted ex-lover who relies on artificial sense-recordings to sleep, in a dark, polluted city. I feel so-so to the story, it is very short, I hope the author could develop more on this story. The better (or interesting) way to enjoy cyberpunk that I think is to watch a movie, so I rewatched the Ghost in the Shell (1995) . The story is based on a policewoman Motoko Kusanagi who was transformed to a robot body by scientists. She serves at investigation department and was trying to find her memories. What I found interesting was both of the stories involved some Asian elements. Such as the American subsidiary of a Japanese plastic combine where Parker indentured when he was fifteen

We are exploring fictional ideas in this week. I chose to read Aye and Gomorrah which was written by Samuel R. Delany. It won the 1967 Nebular Award for best short story. The story is basically happened on a spacer who was neutered to avoid the effects of space radiation on gametes. He roaming on a street and met a Turkey girl. They kind of fell in love to each other I am not sure, but in the end there is nothing happened between them. What amazed me was Samuel involved some sexual subject matters, for instance the main character  was neutered. Even though he was neutered, he is still having the passion to love. What more important is he wants to show people that a neutered man has the right to love. It is not usual that a science fiction story involves sexual subject matters. I assume that Samuel was hoping us to pay more attention to those who are not in majority in our social system, and treat them equally. The story was controversial, but it seems like his story has alrea

     We were focusing on contemporary space opera this week. I chose to read The Star written by Arthur C. Clarke.   The plot is about a group of space explorers from earth return from an expedition to a remote star system, where they discovered the remnants of an advanced civilization destroyed when its star went supernova. They also discovered the destroyed planet's culture was very similar to Earth's. Finally, the narrator calculated the data the emitted light from the explosion reached the Earth, proving that cataclysm that destroyed the peaceful planet was the same star that heralded the birth of Jesus.   I personally don't like stories related to space or any "pace" things, so this is kind of boring to me, but I think it is appropriate to be shot in a movie. Since it is a space opera story, the plot and dialogue are melodramatic. I am impressed by the ending where after explorers saw the remnants of other planet's civilization which has been des

This week, we were focusing on contemporary urban fantasy. I read Anansi Boys written by Neil Gaiman. The story is a fantasy story about Charles, who is called "Fat Charlie" usually, got a message before the wedding that his father past away. He is forced to take time off from the talent agency where he works and travel to Florida for his father's funeral. Then, he was told by an old family friend, reveals to him that the late Mr. Nancy was actually an incarnation of the West African spider god, Anansi, hence his name. Afterward, he back to London where met his brother and started the adventure. It is obvious that the writer blends the myth of Africa and London to create a fantasy urban-related story. Anansi is an Akan folktale character. He often takes the shape of a spider and is considered to be the spirit of all knowledge of stories. He is known as Nancy, Aunt Nancy, and Sis' Nancy. He is a spider, but often acts and appears as a man. In the story, the wr