Relativism, Alternate History, and the Forgetful Reader

Reading Science Fiction and Historiography

Fiction & Literature, Literary Theory & Criticism, Science Fiction
Cover of the book Relativism, Alternate History, and the Forgetful Reader by Derek Thiess, Lexington Books
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Derek Thiess ISBN: 9780739196182
Publisher: Lexington Books Publication: November 25, 2014
Imprint: Lexington Books Language: English
Author: Derek Thiess
ISBN: 9780739196182
Publisher: Lexington Books
Publication: November 25, 2014
Imprint: Lexington Books
Language: English

The writer of alternate history asks “what if?” What if one historical event were different, what would the world look like today? In a similar way, the postmodern philosopher of history suggests that history is literature, or that if we read certain historical details differently we would get a distinctly different interpretation of past events. While the science fiction alternate history means to illuminate the past, to increase our understanding of past events, however, the postmodern approach to history typically suggests that such understanding is impossible. To the postmodern philosopher, history is like literature in that it does not offer the reader access to the past, but only an interesting story. Building on criticism that suggests personal psychological reasons for this obscuring the past, and using a literary theory of readership, this book challenges the postmodern approach to history. It channels the speculative power of science fiction to read the works of postmodern philosophy of history as alternate histories themselves, and to map the limits and pathology of their forgetful reading of the past.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The writer of alternate history asks “what if?” What if one historical event were different, what would the world look like today? In a similar way, the postmodern philosopher of history suggests that history is literature, or that if we read certain historical details differently we would get a distinctly different interpretation of past events. While the science fiction alternate history means to illuminate the past, to increase our understanding of past events, however, the postmodern approach to history typically suggests that such understanding is impossible. To the postmodern philosopher, history is like literature in that it does not offer the reader access to the past, but only an interesting story. Building on criticism that suggests personal psychological reasons for this obscuring the past, and using a literary theory of readership, this book challenges the postmodern approach to history. It channels the speculative power of science fiction to read the works of postmodern philosophy of history as alternate histories themselves, and to map the limits and pathology of their forgetful reading of the past.

More books from Lexington Books

Cover of the book Contingency, Time, and Possibility by Derek Thiess
Cover of the book René Girard and Creative Mimesis by Derek Thiess
Cover of the book Catholicism in Italy in the Age of Pluralism by Derek Thiess
Cover of the book Gramsci, Migration, and the Representation of Women's Work in Italy and the U.S. by Derek Thiess
Cover of the book Portrayals of Children in Popular Culture by Derek Thiess
Cover of the book Charity in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic Traditions by Derek Thiess
Cover of the book Beyond the Classroom Walls by Derek Thiess
Cover of the book The Nazi Card by Derek Thiess
Cover of the book Navigating New Media Networks by Derek Thiess
Cover of the book The Case for Gridlock by Derek Thiess
Cover of the book Multiracialism and Its Discontents by Derek Thiess
Cover of the book Politics, Poverty, and Microfinance by Derek Thiess
Cover of the book Short Stories and Political Philosophy by Derek Thiess
Cover of the book Trust, Our Second Nature by Derek Thiess
Cover of the book Transversal Ecocritical Praxis by Derek Thiess
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy