The Routledge Anthology of Global Science Fiction Origins brings together short stories from writers of science fiction from all over the world who were at the vanguard of the genre from 1872-1942. Beginning with a dynamic and engaging introduction, Bill Gillard provides accessible introductions to each text to offer key insights into the historical and cultural conditions that led to their publication. The collection features work from a wide range of authors, many for the first time in English translation, including less-familiar voices from the early days of the emergent tradition, and invites an exciting recontextualization of the more well-known texts. Authors include Karel Capek, Xu Nianci, Franz Kafka, Adela Zamudio, Leopoldo Lugones, Juza Unno, Tawfiq al-Hakim, and others. The first anthology focused on global science fiction during this pivotal era, and this collection offers vital new perspectives on the field by featuring the forerunners of science fiction. It is an invaluable resource for students and teachers of both science fiction and world literature.

Autorentext

Bill Gillard is Professor of English at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, USA. His publications include The Routledge Anthology of Climate Fiction (2025) and Speculative Modernism: How Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Conceived the Twentieth Century (2021).