Brief Description
Three ground-breaking works from a master of modern science fiction
Learn More about the Book
To the short list that includes Jules Verne and H.G. Wells as founding fathers of science fiction, the name of the Belgian writer J.-H. Rosny Aine must be added. He was the first writer to conceive, and attempt to narrate, the workings of aliens and alternate life forms. His fascination with evolutionary scenarios, and long historical vistas, from first man to last man, are important precursors to the myriad cosmic epics of modern science fiction. Until now, his work has been virtually unknown and unavailable in the English-speaking world, but it is crucial for our understanding of the genre. Three wonderfully imaginative novellas are included in this volume. The Xipehuz is a prehistoric tale in which the human species battles strange geometric alien life forms. Another World is the story of a mysterious being who does not live in the same acoustic and temporal world as humans. The Death of the Earth is a scientifically uncompromising Last Man story. The book includes an insightful critical introduction that places Rosny s work within the context of evolutionary biology."
Review Quotes
1. ."..Rosny was a species pluralist, and believed that human beings are no more entitled than any other creature to reign supreme. He would have felt right at home among the Men In Black."--Laura Miller, The New Yorker
2. "After Jules Verne, the Belgian-born Rosny (1856 1940) is probably the greatest of all French-speaking science-fiction writers, although only a few of his works have been readily available in English. Happily, thanks to the Wesleyan Early Classics of Science Fiction Series, three of Rosny's finest novellas can now be enjoyed in authoritative translations. Never having encountered any of his fiction, I was unprepared for the power and beauty of 'The Xipehuz, ' 'Another World' and 'The Death of the Earth.'" Michael Dirda, Washington Post
3. " Rosny was a species pluralist, and believed that human beings are no more entitled than any other creature to reign supreme. He would have felt right at home among the Men In Black." Laura Miller, The New Yorker
4. "In a lengthy, well-researched introduction the authors situate Rosny's work within evolutionary biology, showcasing his interest in Darwinian evolution and arguing for his rightful place as the true father of hard science fiction. The three novellas are intriguing and nicely translated. ... Highly recommended."--S.E. Vie, Choice
5. Rosny "belongs somewhere between Jules Verne and H.G. Wells. (He is) one of the true originals of science fiction."--Paul Kincaid, Interzone
6. ..".Rosny was a species pluralist, and believed that human beings are no more entitled than any other creature to reign supreme. He would have felt right at home among the Men In Black."--Laura Miller, The New Yorker
7. "After Jules Verne, the Belgian-born Rosny (1856-1940) is probably the greatest of all French-speaking science-fiction writers, although only a few of his works have been readily available in English. Happily, thanks to the Wesleyan Early Classics of Science Fiction Series, three of Rosny's finest novellas can now be enjoyed in authoritative translations. Never having encountered any of his fiction, I was unprepared for the power and beauty of 'The Xipehuz, ' 'Another World' and 'The Death of the Earth.'" Michael Dirda, "Washington Post""
8. Choice"
9. The New Yorker"
10. Interzone"
11. After Jules Verne, the Belgian-born Rosny (1856 1940) is probably the greatest of all French-speaking science-fiction writers, although only a few of his works have been readily available in English. Happily, thanks to the Wesleyan Early Classics of Science Fiction Series, three of Rosny s finest novellas can now be enjoyed in authoritative translations. Never having encountered any of his fiction, I was unprepared for the power and beauty of The Xipehuz, Another World and The Death of the Earth. Michael Dirda, Washington Post"
12. In a lengthy, well-researched introduction the authors situate Rosny s work within evolutionary biology, showcasing his interest in Darwinian evolution and arguing for his rightful place as the true father of hard science fiction. The three novellas are intriguing and nicely translated. Highly recommended. S.E. Vie, Choice"
13. Rosny was a species pluralist, and believed that human beings are no more entitled than any other creature to reign supreme. He would have felt right at home among the Men In Black. Laura Miller, The New Yorker"
14. Rosny belongs somewhere between Jules Verne and H.G. Wells. (He is) one of the true originals of science fiction. Paul Kincaid, Interzone"
15. Chatelain and Slusser praise Rosny s scientifically objective coverage of the tale of the Last Man. Yet it is also commendable how he makes the ferromagnetic beings, the life forms that vie for domination of the Earth s resources, grippingly sinister. Emelyne Godfrey, Times Literary Supplement"
16. essential reading for Anglophone readers new to Rosny, and recommended for anyone in search of a fuller understanding of Rosny s importance in early French and world sf. Terry Harpold, Science Fiction Studies"
17. the Wesleyan edition of Three Science Fiction Novellas offers unexpurgated and scrupulously accurate translations by Daniele Chatelain and George Slusser plus a full scholarly apparatus. Chatelain and Slusser begin with a 75-page Introduction (in reality, an independent critical essay) on Rosny s Evolutionary Ecology Readers in search of a brief overview of Rosny s sf output and its reception will need to turn to the Translators Note and Annotated Bibliography of this edition. Patrick Parrinder, Foundation"
