One Earth, One People: The Mythopoeic Fantasy Series of Ursula K. Le Guin, Lloyd Alexander, Madeleine L'Engle and Orson Scott Card / Edition 1

by Marek Oziewicz, Donald E. Palumbo, C.W. Sullivan III

Overview

This work presents the genre of mythopoeic fantasy from a holistic perspective, arguing that this central genre of fantasy literature is largely misunderstood as a result of decades of incomplete and reductionist literary studies. The author asserts that mythopoeic fantasy is not only the most complete literary expression of a worldview based on the existence of supernatural or spiritual powers but that the genre is in a unique position to transform social consciousness with a renewed emphasis on anticipating the future. The author lays out theoretical foundations for his argument in the first four chapters and then demonstrates how the works of fantasy authors Ursula K. LeGuin, Lloyd Alexander, Madeleine L'Engle, and Orson Scott Card exemplify his argument in the remaining four chapters.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780786431359
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date:	02/18/2008
Series:	Critical Explorations in Science Fiction and Fantasy , #6
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	271
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.54(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Marek Oziewicz is the Marguerite Henry Professor of Children’s and Young Adult Literature at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments     
Foreword by Brian Attebery     
Introduction     

1. The Confusion over Fantasy and the Confusions of the Theoretical Era     
2. Reductionist and Holistic Criticisms in a Battle of Worldviews     
3. Mythopoeic Fantasy as a Modern Genre     
4. Twentieth-Century Rehabilitation of Myth and the Search for a New Story     
5. Rediscovering Harmony: Ursula K. Le Guin’s Earthsea Sequence (1964–2001)     
6. Bridging the Past with the Future: Lloyd Alexander’s Prydain Chronicles (1964–1973)     
7. Integrating Science and Spirituality: Madeleine L’Engle’s Time Quartet (1962–1986)     
8. Reconnecting with Nature: Orson Scott Card’s Tales of Alvin Maker (1987–2003)     

Conclusion     
Chapter Notes     
Works Cited     
Index     

Editorial Reviews

recommended”—Choice; “the greatest strength is the extensive research underlying the work”—Mythlore; “recommend”—SFRA Review; “an important contribution...valuable”—Science Fiction Studies.

From the Publisher

the greatest strength is the extensive research underlying the work

Mythlore

recommend

SFRA Review

recommended

Choice