Why the SF Canon Doesn’t Exist
As is periodically the case in the SFF community, we’re once more in the midst of a conversation about “the classics.” If you’re reading this now, it doesn’t actually matter that I wrote this in 2022; this conversation happens so often that the context above could apply in any given year going back decades, albeit more frequently today than before social media. The conversation typically features the following claims: You DON’T need to read “the classics” for reasons (there are many) You DO need to read “the classics” for reasons (there are many) There are no “classics” for reasons (there are many) I’m not going to list the various reasons offered for all of these. Instead, I’ll note that we usually see two common claims for the first two: 1) that you don’t need to read them because they do not represent where genre is now; and 2) that you do need to read them because they’re necessary to understand how we got where we are now. These are incredibly reductive versions of those common arguments, and both are technically correct but typically uttered in the wrong context.
The SF&F Canon Project, etc.
Well, I said I was thinking of doing it, and so I have. I’ve created a blog for the Science Fiction and Fantasy Canon Project. The name is changeable, but right now it suits because it says what the project is about. Now, there isn’t much there right now. I have the template up, but really there isn’t any information, just a single post. Feel free to check it out, give some opinions on the look. Perhaps there are some things you think should be added, etc. The site doesn’t look like much, but it’ll get going pretty soon–this weekend hopefully–and we’ll see how things go. Remember, spread the news about this! The more people we get in on this idea the better. To other news, I was reading a post here and I thought I’d ask anyone here what magazines you read. I mean any magazines, even ones that aren’t literature based. If you read Vogue, well, then say so. Only zines count too! Reading that post, though, made me realize how much I’m missing out. I had hoped after I quit working and started packing to come to UC Santa Cruz that I would get to subscribe to a whole bunch of magazines. I even made a list, but unfortunately that never happened.I’m currently subscribed to:Reptiles MagazineWriter’s DigestSmithsonian Magazine Yeah, nothing really related to the field I am writing short stories for, which disturbs me. I might have to dig up some money and buy some subscriptions. It’s also sad that the short story market is dying! There has been a lot of talk in the blogging world about this and it really scares me. Some of the best stories out there are short stories. I’ll have to write a post about why I think the short is dying! Anyway, so there you all have it! Comment and join up in the canon project!
Discussion on the SF & F Canon
It occurred to me today, while I was fiddling with my template, that we might have to start up a new blog for this canon idea. Why? Well, it would make navigating the discussion of particular works easier since navigating my site for a few related posts might be a little annoying. It’d be much simpler to have everything laid out in one little space.Is anyone against the idea of starting another blog? It would be only for the canon, and canon related things, nothing else.Also, I thought it might be a good idea to start off the canon by going through all the books that should be shoe-ins. It would be easiest to get all those we know will automatically be included. However, if you don’t agree with ones I’ve put up, please discuss it. These are just books I think would be considered shoe-ins. But I might be wrong. Science Fiction:Dune by Frank Herbert (haven’t read)War of the World by H. G. Wells (haven’t read)1984 by George OrwellNeuromancer by William GibsonA Clockwork Orange by Anthony BurgessFrankenstein by Mary Shelley Fantasy:Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. TolkienThe Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. LewisDracula by Bram StokerThe Odyssey by HomerA Midsummer Nights Dream by William Shakespeare Any others you can think of? Any you don’t agree with? Why or why not? Let’s start this discussion!
The Speculative Fiction Canons!
I want you! That’s right, I’m going through with this idea, but I can’t do it alone. I need help from everyone out there. I don’t want this to be a project that I do by myself, because I certainly do not have any sort of authority to do such a thing. So, I’m asking for involvement from the community. That means writers, readers, bloggers, etc. If you like SF and F, then you’re welcome to include your opinion.Here’s more information: Get involved! Your opinion matters. Suggest books, discuss why you think those books should be in a canon, etc. Talk about this project. Spread the word! The more people that get involved the better! Tell me what you think! Do you think I should move this project to its own page? Should it stay here? What do you think needs to be considered in the criteria? Etc. Remember the criteria (I added some stuff): PopularityThis is not what it sounds like. No books should be chosen purely on the fact that everyone out there bought it, read it, and loved. At the same time, though, the book has to have had a mark on the public to even be recognized and have influence. A book that is read by five people has just about no influence on the genre. But popularity should be taken with a grain of salt. There are plenty of books that are popular, but are at the same rather lax in literary merit (perhaps the Da Vinci Code would be an example). LongevityThe novel or even novella, since we should not exclude works that today would not be considered novels, should have stood the test of time. It has to have had a lasting influence. Critical SuccessIt has to be recognized in some way for its importance. This could mean it has won awards or simply has been analyzed or referenced. There may be many novels, particularly older novels, that would not have won awards but still have influence. InfluencePretty obvious since I’ve mentioned it already. It has to influence other writing. That influence has to be genre defining, powerful. Not simply that it made people buy books in that genre, but that it actually changed the direction of SF & F literature in some way. AgeThe novel should be at least ten years old unless you can find a compelling reason to suggest a newer book. In reality we can’t assume that any books that are popular now will have a lasting effect on the genre. OriginalityThe book must present some sense of the original. If you recommend a work of fantasy, then it has to at least feel fresh, rather than purely derivative. Email me, comment, post, etc. Seriously, the more involved you get, the more we discuss, the better it is going to be. This project could take a long while. Developing a canon isn’t exactly a piece of cake and there may be a lot of criticism of books. But, this is the start of a good thing.!