Understanding Contemporary American Science Fiction: The Age Of Maturity, 1970-2000

Darren Harris-Fain discusses significant and representative works as he charts the historical and literary development of contemporary American science fiction. He identifies influences and events central to the genre’s growth, including the Vietnam era; the influence of the feminist movement; the increasing contributions of female, African American, and gay and lesbian writers; and the emergence of such significant trends as hard science fiction, cyberpunk, alternate history, and shared-world stories.

Darren Harris-Fain is an associate professor of English at Shawnee State University in Portsmouth, Ohio.