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Friday, February 17, 2012

Author M Pax Is Taking Over

Thank you to Melissa for letting me borrow her Imaginarium today. I was thinking about doing a post on great science fiction love stories, but couldn't think of one besides Han and Leia. Wow, that needs fixing, huh? Anyway, while researching on the webs, I stumbled across this scientific romance thing and found it interesting enough to share.

Science fiction as a term for the genre of scientifically-oriented fantastic fiction, was made popular in 1929 by Hugo Gernsback publisher of the first science fiction magazine, Amazing Stories. The Hugo awards are named for Hugo Gernsback, by the way.

Before the genre was called what it is, the genre was called scientific romance. H.G. Wells claimed this is what he wrote. Popular in the mid 1800’s, Wells and Verne are the most well-known examples. The Enlightenment Era of scientific discovery led to the creation of adventurous tales in fantastic settings using scientific devices and discoveries.

Many of these stories also fall into the “imperialist adventures” category. Some of my favorites are Journey to the Center of the Earth [Verne], Erewhon by Samuel Butler, The Time Machine by HG Wells, and She by Henry Haggard. Edgar Rice Burroughs and Sir Arthur Doyle were also prominent writers in this genre.

What changed for the genre was the end of Imperialism. Then came film. The scientific romances were popular at the movies for awhile, Tarzan and The Lost World being the genre’s swan songs. Then debuted Metropolis in 1927, dubbed the first “true” science fiction film, introducing the public to futurism and the dystopian tale. The term scientific romance hasn’t been used since.

Do you have a favorite scientific romance? Did you know about how the Hugo got named? Did you learn something new? I did. Thanks for making me do some research on the webs, Melissa. :)


 
M. Pax blogs at Wistful Nebulae and at MPax-TheWebsite. She spends her summers as a star guide at Pine Mountain Observatory and has a slight obsession with Jane Austen. Author of Semper Audacia and the free reads Plantgirl, Translations and Small Graces. Coming in 2012: The Backworlds, Stopover at theBackworlds' Edge, The Tumbas and The Augmentation of Hetty Locklear.

Thank you, M! This was an absolutely fascinating post. I had no idea there was such a term as scientific romance. I love Wells and Verne. M, you rock as a teacher so feel free to take the reins here any time you want.

49 comments:

  1. Hey Mary!
    I can think of several movies, starting with The Terminator and Avatar, that have romance in them.
    Thanks for hosting her, Melissa!

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  2. Interesting how genres evolved and continue to evolve.

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  3. I loved Jules Verne as a kid! Read all of his books.

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  4. @Alex Mary rocks! I loved, loved The Terminator. It was my fave sci fi romance after Han and Leia LOL

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  5. @Richard Hello! Isn't it fascinating to find out how our favorite genres got their start? I had no idea that Verne and Wells wrote what was considered romantic fiction.

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  6. @Dez Me too! I love, love Verne. My favorite was The Time Machine.

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  7. Awesome job Mary - and great picture of you. I've had a blog crush on M.Pax for awhile now - science fiction and awesome science...I'm in love!!!

    But HG Wells and Verne is the reason why I write steampunk today. It's just an incredibly rich world they created.

    Oh, and the Hugo Award is named after an editor of Amazing Stories - the magazine that brought Science fiction up from simple pulp to more mainstream!

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  8. Terminator remains a great flick, Alex. I suppose there's Total Recall, too.

    It is interesting, Richard.

    Verne wrote many great tales, Dezmond.

    Aww, thanks, Jay. Love your blog, too.

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  9. How interesting to learn about the history of the genre. Great post, Mary. I can't think of any sci-fi movie romances besides Han & Leia, but I've recently become addicted to the sci-fi tv show Torchwood and am totally enchanted by the love story between Jack and Ianto. Love it, and this show has actually caused me to seek out more sci-fi to watch.

    Thanks for sharing Mary and Melissa!

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  10. Since we saw Journey 2 over the weekend, I downloaded most of Verne's and Wells books. Can't wait to get started on them. been a ling time!

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  11. Ooo, Julie! I loved Torchwood! Jack and Ianto's love story was great. Torchwood inspired part of Semper Audacia.

    How was Journey 2, Stephen? Both authors wrote some great, imaginative stuff.

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  12. I felt a connection with M.Pax the moment I saw the title of her blog... "Nebulae"... :) I hope you understand why.. it's quite obvious. :) Although I don't leave comments on her blog that often, I visit it quite frequently.

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  13. I did learn something new. I have always wanted to know the origin of the Hugo name but was too lazy to research it. Thank you Mary.

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  14. That was a really interesting post. There's more sci-fi romances out there nowadays. My friend, Aubrie Dionne writes fantastic stories of that vein.

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  15. Interesting discussion, M!

    By the way, I love your name M. It fits perfectly within the Science Fiction universe. Fritz Lang, one of the foremost father's of science fiction in film (Metropolis, one of my favorite silent films), made perhaps my favorite late silent era film (though it was in sound). That movie was, of course, called M!

    Another stellar job, Mel inviting a terrific blogger over to your magical space. Happy Friday to the both of you lovely ladies :)

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  16. Hmm, over the connection, Nebular. lol

    That was new for me, too, Michael.

    I've read some sci-fi romances, too, Christine.

    Metropolis is a great film, Matthew. The effects for 1927 are quite good.

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  17. @Jay That is too cool you write steam punk. I love the genre and will have to check out your stories. :) Glad you enjoyed Mary's post.

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  18. @Julie I lvoe Torchwood as well. Jack and Ianto are my faves. Their love story is the best part.

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  19. @Stephen I hope you liked Journey 2. I loved how they wove in Stevenson,Swift and Verne together. I'm thinking I sould get those books again as well.

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  20. @Nebular Mary's blog is too cool, isn't it? I'm glad you enjoyed her post here today, sweetie. She really is an awesome author.

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  21. @Michael That is cool how the Hugos got their name. I never knew it, either. :)

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  22. @Christine Sci Fi romances really are more prevalent today. It's one of my fave genres. I'll have to check out Aubrie's books.

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  23. @Matt I think Metropolis is a brilliant film. I could watch it over and over. Happy Friday to you as well. I'm really happy you enjoyed Mary's post.

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  24. I never realized that science fiction started off as being called science romance. That's an awesome insight to behold. Thanks for sharing, Mary and Melissa!

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  25. M Pax is a very interesting person! I quite enjoyed this look at sci fi love. I think I may throw in with the fans of The Terminator as my favorite. I did know how the Hugos got their name - thanks to Forry J. Ackerman for that one!

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  26. That's a really specific genre of book. Not sure it's quite for me. :P

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  27. I did learn something! Very interesting. M Pax rocks... just like you, Melissa. :)

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  28. I hadn't realized it either, Jeffrey.

    You were ahead of me, Craig. Terminator was awesome.

    Thanks for stopping in, Damian.

    I learned something, too. Thanks for stopping by, PK.

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  29. Interesting! I must say, I don't think I've ever read a scientific romance. I musty rectify that!

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  30. @Jeffrey I never knew that either. I was blown away by the fact that Verne and Wells were considered romantic. Mary had a fascinating topic.

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  31. @Craig Yep, I'm all in on Terminator. Kyle and Sarah are my fave sci fi couple for sure. Glad you enjoyed Mary's post. She's awesome. :)

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  32. @DWei It may not be for you, but that's cool. Every one is different. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I appreciate it. :)

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  33. @Pk Aww.. Thanks! You're the best. :)

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  34. @Talli Isn't it cool? Mary sure has the most amazing info. Her blog is amazing. I hope you get a chance to read some science romance, they're fun.

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  35. @MPax Mary thank you so so much. This has been really fun. You really do share the most fascinating information with people. That's why I love your blog. :)

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  36. scientific romance? this is news to me. Thanx for this nice post, M.Pax. Following your blog now!

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    1. You're going to love her blog. It's out of this world good liker her writing. ;)

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  37. Fascinating post. Thank you, M Pax and Melissa!

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    1. Anytime, Ellie. So happy you enjoyed the post, I know sci fi is a passion of yours. :)

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  38. Thanks Mary n' Melissa...I didn't know~ Fascinating! I loved Jules Verne and H.G. Wells...so cool!
    I loved Terminator, too..
    Can't pick just one!
    Fun post~

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    1. Oh Ella, my love for the Terminator is exceeded only by my love of Verne and Wells. They were the best! It is hard to pick only one. :)

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  39. I was just thinking yesterday, while driving down the road in my car, about where the Hugos got their name. Awesome, I've been saved from at least one Google search.

    Science Fiction romances? There is a whole subgenre of that now in books, funny that it goes back as far as Verne, as most people think of it as new.

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    1. Isn't it funny how people think something is totally new and yet, you can somehow find examples from way back when. Does that mean we are all creatures of habit who never change? That's scary.

      Glad you enjoyed the post.

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  40. They're fun, Talli.

    It was news to me, too, Maynard.

    Yay, Ellie.

    I enjoy those old stories, Ella.

    Weird where a search on science fiction romance takes you, Rusty.

    The romances back then weren't what we think of as 'romance'.

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  41. This post is cool. I never knew where the Hugo award name came from, or that sci-fi was originally named scientific romance. Very cool. I teach Voltaire's Candide, and lecture about the Enlightenment, but this gives me a new angle on the Enlightenment period.

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    1. Wow, I wish I could take that class! I would seriously be in the front row taking copius notes. The Enlightment is such a fascinating period of time. Thank you for sharing. :)

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  42. scientific romance is a great name for it! My very first introduction to it would have to have been Dr Who when I was really young. Ha! OH! And The Time Machine!

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    1. I LOVE Dr. Who, Tom Baker is my fave Doc with David Tennant a very vlose second. And the Time Machine is one of my favorite stories.

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  43. Neat topic to teach, Catherine.

    The Time Machine is awesome, Lynda. Dr. Who, too. I used to watch with my brother. Canine was a regular character back then.

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