Imagination is the fuel that drives all forms of fiction, but speculative fiction takes it to a whole new level. It’s a genre that dares to ask “what if,” conjuring worlds and concepts that are distinctly different from our own.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the essence of speculative fiction, how it differs from other genres, and delve into five captivating examples from both literature and film.
Speculative Fiction: A Glimpse into Other Realities
Speculative fiction is a literary umbrella term that encompasses a wide range of non-realist genres. What sets it apart is its fundamental question: “What if?” Speculative fiction invites readers to imagine a world beyond our familiar reality, often serving as a vehicle to explore profound ideas through the lens of these alternate realities.
These imagined worlds can be set in the distant future, on distant planets, or even within our own world, but with a twist—a distortion of reality that challenges our perceptions and makes us think out of the box. One of our authors at Fyra Publishing, Susan Grohmann, has recently published a book called Light in a Cool, Dark Place, whose preface can help us understand the speculative fiction genre:
“Do authors search for stories or do stories seek out authors?
While a writer is watching a television documentary or visiting a museum, a story may be lying in wait. This story traveled a long way through space and time until one day it brushed up against someone who then posed to me an intriguing question: One of my sons came home from church one Sunday and told me that the sermon had been about Mary Magdalene. He then casually asked, with respect to the disappearance of Jesus, “What if Mary Magdalene did something with him?”
Compelled by his question, I went online and googled different accounts detailing the events which unfolded after Jesus’ body was taken down from the cross and moved to the tomb of a wealthy man who had it ready for his own future passing, and generously offered the temporary use of the tomb. As I contemplated a possible answer, the story took off running under its own steam, carrying this writer along with it.
Many developments in the story were inspired by my own experiences over the span of many years. The journey I took while writing was a heady experience, and I like to think that readers might be swept along on the same journey and find it as diverting in the reading as I found it to be while I was writing.”
For a more popular example, you can consider “Men in Black,” where New York City operates much like our reality, but with the added presence of extraterrestrial beings.
Distinguishing Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Speculative Fiction
While speculative fiction is a broad category, it serves as the parent genre to various subgenres, including science fiction and fantasy. Each subgenre has its own unique characteristics but shares the common theme of “what if” exploration.
Science Fiction: This subgenre delves into the “what if” questions using science and technology, often projecting into the future or exploring advanced technologies.
Fantasy: Fantasy takes the “what if” concept in a different direction, relying on magic, mythical creatures, and imaginary settings to create entirely new worlds.
Horror: In the realm of horror, “what if” is used to introduce supernatural occurrences, often with a gothic or gruesome focus.
Magical Realism: Here, “what if” merges with real-world problems and the human experience, expressing them through magical elements.
These definitions offer a broad overview, but it’s important to note that authors often blend these subgenres to create unique and compelling narratives.
The Intriguing World of Magical Realism
One of the most intriguing facets of speculative fiction is magical realism. Emerging predominantly in twentieth-century Latin American literature, magical realism seamlessly embeds magic and supernatural occurrences within everyday life. These fantastical elements often serve as metaphors for real-world problems, providing readers with a fresh perspective on familiar issues.
Exploring Speculative Short Fiction
Speculative fiction comes in various forms, and one particularly fascinating art form is speculative short fiction. Many literary magazines are dedicated to publishing these bite-sized adventures into the realms of the unknown. Some notable publications include The New Yorker, the Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, FIYAH, khōréō, and countless others.
Speculative short fiction can take on various forms, from flash fiction, which offers quick, impactful bursts of imagination, to novelettes that provide more extensive explorations of speculative worlds, typically spanning 7,500 words or more.
5 Examples of Captivating Speculative Fiction
To illustrate the richness and diversity of speculative fiction, here are five examples from both books and film that are guaranteed to ignite your imagination:
1. Studio Ghibli
“Princess Mononoke”: Directed by Hayao Miyazaki, “Princess Mononoke” is a masterpiece of animated storytelling. It transports viewers to a lush, enchanted forest inhabited by spirits and mythical creatures. At its core, the film explores the complex relationship between humans and nature, delving into themes of environmentalism and the consequences of industrialization. The titular character, Princess Mononoke, represents the harmony between humans and the natural world, and her quest is a poignant exploration of the balance between progress and preservation.
“Laputa: Castle in the Sky”: This Studio Ghibli film introduces audiences to a floating city known as Laputa, hidden in the sky. The story follows two young protagonists who embark on a quest to discover the city’s secrets. The film raises questions about technology, its potential for both good and evil, and the responsibility that comes with wielding great power.
“Spirited Away”: In “Spirited Away,” viewers are transported to a mysterious and magical realm where a young girl, Chihiro, must navigate a bathhouse for spirits. The film is a mesmerizing exploration of identity, transformation, and the liminal space between childhood and adulthood. It invites audiences to contemplate the hidden worlds that may exist just beyond our perception.
2. Ursula Le Guin
“The Left Hand of Darkness”: Ursula K. Le Guin’s novel “The Left Hand of Darkness” is set on the planet Gethen, where its inhabitants are ambisexual, potentially changing genders during specific periods. This exploration of gender and identity is at the heart of the story as the protagonist navigates a unique and alien society. Le Guin uses speculative fiction to challenge conventional norms and explore the fluidity of human identity.
“Earthsea” Series: Le Guin’s “Earthsea” series transports readers to a world where magic is a tangible force that shapes the destinies of individuals. The books explore themes of power, balance, and the consequences of one’s actions. The richly developed world of Earthsea is a testament to Le Guin’s ability to craft intricate and thought-provoking speculative landscapes.
“The Dispossessed”: In “The Dispossessed,” Le Guin presents a tale of two planets with contrasting social and political systems. She delves into themes of anarchism, capitalism, and the search for utopia. The novel challenges readers to consider the flaws and merits of different societal structures through the lens of speculative fiction.
3. Jorge Luis Borges
“Ficciones” and “El Aleph”: Jorge Luis Borges is a master of magical realism and philosophical exploration. His short stories, collected in works like “Ficciones” and “El Aleph,” blend mythology, literature, and philosophy into dreamlike narratives. Borges invites readers to question reality itself, often blurring the lines between fact and fiction. His stories are a journey into the labyrinthine corridors of human thought and imagination.
4. The Chronicles of Narnia
C.S. Lewis’s “The Chronicles of Narnia” is a beloved series that transports readers to the enchanting realm of Narnia, where talking animals and mythical creatures abound. These tales are imbued with Christian allegory and biblical references, exploring themes of faith, redemption, and the battle between good and evil. Through the magical wardrobe, Lewis invites readers to contemplate the existence of otherworldly realms hidden just beyond our own.
5. Ted Chiang
“Story of Your Life” (Inspiration for “Arrival”): Ted Chiang’s “Story of Your Life” is a novella that serves as the basis for the film “Arrival.” It tells the story of linguist Louise Banks, who is tasked with deciphering an alien language. Chiang’s exploration of language, time, and the perception of reality is a masterpiece of speculative fiction. Through his narrative, Chiang challenges readers to contemplate the intricacies of communication, the nature of free will, and the non-linear perception of time.
These examples showcase the incredible diversity and depth of speculative fiction. Each author and work invites readers to explore unique and thought-provoking concepts, making them essential contributions to the genre’s rich tapestry. Whether it’s the ecological themes of Studio Ghibli, the societal explorations of Ursula Le Guin, the philosophical musings of Jorge Luis Borges, the allegorical tales of C.S. Lewis, or the mind-bending ideas of Ted Chiang, these works challenge us to think beyond the boundaries of our own reality.
These examples provide a glimpse into the intriguing genre of speculative fiction. Beyond these, there is a vast universe of authors, including George Orwell, Gabriel García Márquez, Philip K. Dick, Haruki Murakami, Margaret Atwood, N.K. Jemisin, and countless others who continue to push the boundaries of this captivating genre.
In conclusion, speculative fiction is a genre of boundless creativity, constantly evolving and defying rigid definitions. It serves as a valuable tool for exploring the relationship between fiction and reality, offering endless opportunities for imaginative exploration and experimentation. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the genre or a newcomer, there’s always something new to discover in the realms of speculative fiction.
