Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Which genre is it anyway?

Those days, there was no YA- when you were done with kid lit, you graduated to romance or mystery. I chose science fiction. Classic science fiction is all I ever knew- Issac Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke.

I soon exhausted all the books that were available in India, and my only contact with the genre was through movies. Minority Repot, Matrix, Fifth Element, Total Recall- I loved them all.

To me, they were all science fiction- not cyberpunk, steampunk, distopia or any such genre. I leant of those names last week, I felt almost bereft. I miss plain science fiction.

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A drabble is a story told in exactly 100 words.


I really don't want to know if Alex J. Cavanaugh's book pure science fiction (of the kind that gladdens my heart), or if he chooses to categorise it into any of these brand new genres that seem so popular today.

Would watching the book trailer of CassaStar help make up your mind about the genre?


Not really. The only thing I know after seeing the trailer is that I can't wait to get my hands on the book!

18 comments:

Not Hannah said...

I was never a huge fan of science fiction to read, but I enjoy the movies. I DO like Bradbury's short stories, some of which are science fictionish.

Laura Eno said...

I was a huge fan of classic science fiction as a teenager as well. Now I often don't know the lines between sub-genres, especially in my own writing!

The music they picked for the Cassa Star trailer is so unusual for sci/fi that I'm intrigued and now want to read it!

Helen Ginger said...

His book sounded interesting even before I watched the trailer. I have a feeling his will have a lot of science in it and action.

Anonymous said...

Rayna - You make such an interesting point about the proliferation of sub-genres. I must admit, I'm not up on my science fiction, so I can't comment on that. But I can say there are, I think, more sub-genres of crime fiction now than there used to be. Interesting point to ponder...

Amber at The Musings of ALMYBNENR said...

I know what you mean, Rayna. I'm trying to keep up with all of these new classifications as well. I've started adding them to my reviews because they are familiar to others and I'm trying to learn them. At least, if it's going to be this way, Goodreads or somewhere needs to classify them clearly somewhere because half the time I feel like I'm giving books the wrong label!

Tina said...

I'm a sci-fi fan as well. Movies, books, whatever form. I love time travel probably the best. But I'll also be one of the first in line when a new Star Trek is released! I hear what you're saying here, but for me, I don't much care if they sub-categorize. I feel it just makes it easier for me to choose what I like.

Talli Roland said...

It's a fantastic trailer, isn't it?

Funny, I never thought about it, but you're right. Growing up, there weren't all these 'sub genres'.

LTM said...

subgenres in books, subgenres in music... bleah. I'm still not sure I know the difference in postapocalyptic, dystopian and urban fantasy... LTM: Isn't it all fantasy?

Never been a fan of serious SciFi, but it's cool when you sort of know an author. Best of luck to AJC~ :o)

Elspeth Futcher said...

All these sub-genres tend to make me dizzy. Not to mention it makes identifying your work when you're querying a minefield of potential errors.

Karen Jones Gowen said...

I remember when there was no YA. Ah, the good 'ol days. When me and my kids all read the same books!

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

I think Alex has worked extremely hard with his book and this trailer is fantastic. Hope with all my heart his book is a success He has earned it.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Rayna, thanks so much! You're right, it used to be just science fiction, now there's all these subgenres. My book was placed in 'adventure.' Sure wouldn't have been 'tech!'

Thanks, Laura! I was really happy with the trailer's music as well.

Thanks, LTM! And Yvonne, you are so sweet.

Stephanie Faris said...

Am I weird in saying I hate book trailers? I'd rather just read somewhere what the book is about!

Philip K. Dick wrote some awesome science fiction...Minority Report, the book that became Total Recall, etc. There was a book that Stephen Spielberg produced into a movie starring Haley Joel Osment, AI. I loved the premise behind it but I don't think the movie did as well as it should have.

Laura Eno said...

Rayna - I have an award waiting for you on my blog. :)

http://lauraeno.blogspot.com/2010/07/fabulous-flash.html

Jemi Fraser said...

I love science fiction - always have. there are so many great stories. Alex's is sure to be another fave! :)

Ella said...

I agree, I think Alex's book will be in that category for me, too!

Sueann said...

I love Science Fiction...all genre! I loved Total Recall!!
Hugs
SueAnn

Natasha said...

@ Heather - Bradbury's shorts are fantastic.

@ Laura- I love your science fiction shorts- don't care which genre they are- they are great.

@ Helen- I am looking forward to it for the same reason.

@ Margot- there are far too many sub-genres out there, aren't there?

@ Amber- if you are struggling, it must be difficult indeed. I am in awe of your skills.

@ Tina- I knew you would be a huge sci-fic fan! I just knew it.

@ Talli- life was easier then.

@ Leigh- yes, when you know the author, it is different.

@ Elspeth- that does sound dangerous.

@ KarenG- those were the days!

@ Yvonne - me too.

@ Alex- if you have a problem too, it must be quite a problem.

@ Stephanie- I am not a huge fan of book trailers either, but this one looks like a movie trailer.

@ Jemi- you write streampuke, don't you?

@ Ellie- quite. And I am definitely reading it

@ SueAnn- that was a lovely movie

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