Science Fiction

Welcome to the University of Texas Libraries' Science Fiction Guide! The UT Libraries has a sizeable collection of science fiction materials, both for leisure reading and research inquiry.

"Two possibilities exist: either we are alone in the Universe or we are not. Both are equally terrifying."

Arthur C. Clarke

About the Collection

The UT Libraries Science Fiction collection has been built intentionally since the 1970s, when Harold W. Billings, the director of the Libraries from 1972-2003, personally curated and donated science fiction novels for the Perry-Castañeda Library. We continue to build the collection with: 

• Award winners, including annual Hugo, Nebula, and Philip K. Dick Awards 
• Scholarly criticism of science fiction books, film, and television 
• Notable films 
• Graphic novels and comic books
• Works by authors from diverse and marginalized backgrounds 
• Works published outside of the United States, in translation and in languages other than English 
   

Image courtesy of Creative Commons

How to use this guide

This guide aims to assist University of Texas students, faculty, and staff in identifying and accessing books, journals, and electronic materials that treat science fiction/speculative fiction literature and film as objects of serious study. The widespread acceptance of science fiction literature and film as rich areas for academic research has spurred the creation of many specialized print and online resources for literary theorists, cultural historians, film scholars, and others. 

In this research guide for science fiction, you will find:

• Background information, including information on theories, history, and encyclopedias
• Journals and peer-reviewed articles. 
• Suggested databases for research
• Criticism on films and books
• Diverse Science and Speculative Fiction and literary criticism that addresses diverse themes
• Staff recommendations, noteworthy reads, and links to outside UT sources

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  Questions? Contact Gina Bastone, the English Librarian: g.bastone@austin.utexas.edu

 Image courtesy of Creative Commons
 

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