Cosmos Latinos: An Anthology of Science Fiction from Latin America and Spain (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780819566348)

The first-ever collection of Latin American science fiction in English.

Opening a window onto a fascinating new world for English-speaking readers, this anthology offers popular and influential stories from over ten countries, chronologically ranging from 1862 to the present. Latin American and Spanish science fiction shares many thematic and stylistic elements with anglophone science fiction, but there are important differences: many downplay scientific plausibility, and others show the influence of the region's celebrated literary fantastic. In the 27 stories included in this anthology, a 16th-century conquistador is re-envisioned as a cosmonaut, Mexican factory workers receive pleasure-giving bio-implants, and warring bands of terrorists travel through time attempting to reverse the outcome of historical events.

The introduction examines the ways the genre has developed in Latin America and Spain since the 1700s and studies science fiction as a means of defamiliarizing, and then critiquing, regional culture, history and politics--especially in times of censorship and political repression. The volume also includes a brief introduction to each story and its author, and an extensive bibliography of primary and secondary works. Cosmos Latinos is a critical contribution to Latin American, Spanish, popular culture and science fiction studies and will be stimulating reading for anyone who likes a good story.

Author: Andrea L. Bell
ISBN-10: 0819566349
ISBN-13: 9780819566348
Publisher: Wesleyan University Press
Language: English
Published: 07/31/2003
Pages: 368
Format: Paperback
Weight: 1.30lbs
Size: 8.96h x 6.32w x 0.90d

Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 04/28/2003 pg. 54
Booklist 06/01/2003 pg. 1754
Library Journal 07/01/2003 pg. 133
Multicultural Review 06/01/2004 pg. 54
Univ PR Books for Public Libry 01/01/2004 pg. 82 - Recommended/Special Interest