SF here, there, and everywhere

[eldritchhobbit]

Today is the birthday of Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (1797-1851), the mother of modern science fiction and one of my favorite authors.
* Mary Shelley's works available at Project Gutenberg
* Mary Shelley's work available at LibriVox

Incidentally, the University of Nebraska Press has just published a new edition of my favorite work by Shelley, The Last Man.


And speaking of science fiction, I have two recommendations:
* I am a tremendous fan of The Teaching Company anyway, but I especially recommend Professor Eric Rabkin's course Science Fiction: The Literature of the Technological Imagination.
* I am currently listening to and, unsurprisingly, thoroughly enjoying my colleague Professor Michael D.C. Drout's course for Recorded Books, From Here To Infinity: An Exploration of Science Fiction Literature.


A quote for the day, from Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley:

Have any of you, my readers, observed the ruins of an anthill immediately after its destruction? At first it appears entirely deserted of its former inhabitants; in a little time you see an ant struggling through the upturned mould; they reappear by twos and threes, running hither and thither in search of their lost companions. Such were we upon earth, wondering aghast at the effects of pestilence. Our empty habitations remained, but the dwellers were gathered to the shades of the tomb.
- Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, The Last Man

Comments

[captnofmyheart.livejournal.com]

Have you heard of this blog before?

Wormtalk and Slugspeak

I believe he is an English professor with a particular interest in Tolkien and science fiction authors. I only visit occaisionally, but the link provided had a post I thought you might be interested in.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! I see it's syndicate on LiveJournal as wormtalkslug. I know Professor Drout; we've spoken at some of the same events (most recently, in Toronto in July). He's definitely posting things in which I'd be interested. I really appreciate the recommendation!

[estellye.livejournal.com]

Michael Drout would be a perfect candidate for recorded lectures; he is such an engaging speaker. That should come across in audio quite well.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

I couldn't agree more. I've been really happy with how he handled H.P. Lovecraft and Robert Heinlein in his SF lectures thus far. Of course, I shouldn't be surprised he's doing a great job!

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

Any chance you've read her "The Fortunes of Perkin Warbeck"? I've thought about buying it but don't know how traditionalist it's written.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

You know, I'm ashamed to say I haven't. I recently saw the film Princes in the Tower, and that's renewed my interest in that whole phenomenon. I really need to read it! If I do, I'll post about it. If you beat me to it, please let me know what you think!

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

My interest in Richard was rejuvenated by my trip and now he's become something of an obsession, so I probably will end up buying the book. Hell, I've bought just about every book I can get my hands on even remotely connected to Richard so what's one more? ;-) If I manage to read it before you do, I'll let you know.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Wonderful! Thanks so much. :)

Happy Birthday to Shelley........

[dracschick.livejournal.com]

she's a great writer!

Re: Happy Birthday to Shelley........

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Yes indeed! Cheers to her! *raises glass*