publishing-industry-shifts

This introduction to 'Dangerous Visions and New Worlds' outlines the transformative impact of the 'long sixties' on science fiction, highlighting the rise of the New Wave movement that challenged the conservative norms of the Golden Age. It details how the genre became a platform for exploring radical social change, political dissent, and experimental literary forms, reflecting broader cultural shifts in class, race, gender, and sexuality. The chapter also discusses the role of key publications and figures, the controversies within the community, and the emergence of diverse voices addressing dystopia, feminism, and racial issues.

Following his emphysema diagnosis in 1985, Heinlein focused on revising his complex time-travel narrative, which evolved into The Cat Who Walks Through Walls, while navigating significant health crises including severe nosebleeds and hospitalizations. Despite these challenges, he completed the first draft of To Sail Beyond the Sunset and continued to engage with his literary legacy, preparing his archives and reflecting on his mortality and personal relationships. The chapter concludes with Heinlein and his wife Ginny moving from their home, destroying early manuscripts to protect his legacy, and sharing a poignant moment symbolizing their enduring partnership.