Speculative Orientalism: Asian Religions in New Wave Science Fiction

Examining the works of prominent New Wave science fiction authors from the 1950-160s, Sang-Keun Yoo highlights the underexplored connection between American science fiction and Asian religions, such as Taoism, Buddhism, and Hinduism. Yoo also considers how the major world wars of the 20th century-Second World War, the Cold War, and the Vietnam War- repositioned Asian culture in relation to the science fiction genre in the period. Underpinning this study, Yoo argues that "speculative Orientalism" emerged in American science fiction during the 1950s and 60s. This concept adopted aspects of Asian religions to envision alternative worlds, unburdened by the constraints of colonialism, totalitarianism, racism, and sexism present in contemporary American society. Bringing fresh perspectives to the works of William S. Burroughs, Philip K. Dick, Ursula K and Samuel R. Delany, this book offers an insightful examination of the role of Asian religions in American science fiction and their impact on the genre''s history.

About the author

Sang-Keun Yoo is Assistant Professor of English at Marist University, USA. He has published several articles in Science Fiction Film and Television and other notable publications. He is the Korea Representative for the Science Fiction Research AssociationAlana. M. Vincent is Associate Professor in Religious Studies, Umeå Universitet, SwedenNina Fischer is Project Manager and Associate Researcher, “Religious Positioning” Research Hub, Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany. Fischer runs the “Religious Positioning” Research Hub at the Goethe University Frankfurt. She is a (popular) cultural studies scholar working at the intersections of memory, conflict, and interreligious relations. Nina is the author of Memory Work: The Second Generation (2015)

Product details

• Authors: Sang-Keun Yoo
• Assisted by: Nina Fischer (Editor of the series), Fischer Nina (Editor of the series), Alana Vincent (Editor of the series), Vincent Alana (Editor of the series)
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Release: 24.07.2025, delayed
• EAN: 9781350447899
• ISBN: 978-1-350-44789-9
• No. of pages: 248
• Series: Bloomsbury Studies in Popular Fiction and Religious Dynamics
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Religion/theology > Other religions; Science Fiction, New Wave, FICTION / Science Fiction / General, RELIGION / Buddhism / General, RELIGION / Hinduism / General, Buddhism, The Americas, Black & Asian Studies, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Cultural & Ethnic Studies / Asian Studies