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sense-of-wonder
A central feeling in science fiction characterized by awe and speculative imagination, exemplified by short stories and early visionary works.
1 chapter across 1 book
Science Fiction: What It's All About (1971)Sam J. Lundwall
book is the same as the one you have in your hand now.
The chapter explores the essence and diversity of science fiction as a genre, emphasizing its core 'Sense-of-Wonder' through illustrative examples from early speculative works to fantasy elements like BEMs and dragons. It discusses the lack of a unified definition for science fiction, highlighting various subgenres and reader factions, and traces the historical labeling and evolution of the genre, including the influential but flawed work of Hugo Gernsback.