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Louis Pedrotti has undertaken the first English translation of the most popular and influential work of Osip Senkovsky, The Fantastic Journeys of Baron Brambeus . This translation is accompanied by extensive topical, historical and literary commentary and is an excellent example of Russian popular fiction of the 1830's and 40's. First appearing in 1833, these stories form a cornestone of early Russian science fiction. They anticipate, by more than 30 years, similar stories by Jules Verne. Like their author, they have languished under a cloud of neglect and official disapproval since they first appeared. In 1989 they were reprinted in Russia for the first time since 1859. This translation should appeal not only to science fiction fans, but also to those interested in the literary, social, political and cultural scenes in Russia during the first half of the 19th century.
Report
"Louis Pedrotti's elegant and scholarly translation of Osip Senkovsky's 'The Fantastic Journeys of Baron Brambeus' is a genuine 'find' for the history of science fiction as an international form. (Senkovsky's) work antedates that of Jules Verne by almost forty years, and that of Wells by three-quarters of a century. In fact, the stories that comprise 'The Fantastic Journeys' may have been influential, indirectly or directly, on seminal works by each of these writers... Pedrotti's work brings this important but neglected writer to the forefront, and will be instrumental in causing historians of the genre to revise their conclusions. The example of Senkovsky shows just how pervasive this form of scientific fantasy was becoming in this century that preccedes our own 'age of science fiction'. This translation is a milestone in SF studies." (George Slusser, University of California, Riverside)
"The publication of this volume in English will certainly open new doors to those interested in the history of science fiction as an international genre, to historians of science who will find further evidence of the formative interaction between science and literature...and, of course, to the reader who wants to be entertained." (Yvonne Howell, Science-Fiction Studies)
