The Fire in the Stone: Prehistoric Fiction from Charles Darwin to Jean M. Auel (The Wesleyan Early Classics of Science Fiction Series) - Hardcover

Ruddick, Nicholas

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0819569003 ISBN 13: 9780819569004

Publisher: Wesleyan University Press, 2009

Synopsis

The first comprehensive study of prehistoric fiction

The genre of prehistoric fiction contains a surprisingly large and diverse group of fictional works by American, British, and French writers from the late nineteenth century to the present that describe prehistoric humans. Nicholas Ruddick explains why prehistoric fiction could not come into being until after the acceptance of Charles Darwin's theories, and argues that many early prehistoric fiction works are still worth reading even though the science upon which they are based is now outdated. Exploring the history and evolution of the genre, Ruddick shows how prehistoric fiction can offer fascinating insights into the possible origins of human nature, sexuality, racial distinctions, language, religion, and art. The book includes discussions of well-known prehistoric fiction by H.G. Wells, Jules Verne, J.-H. Rosny Aîné, Jack London, William Golding, Arthur C. Clarke, and Jean M. Auel and reminds us of some unjustly forgotten landmarks of prehistoric fiction. It also briefly covers such topics as the recent boom in prehistoric romance, notable prehistoric fiction for children and young adults, and the most entertaining movies featuring prehistoric humans. The book includes illustrations that trace the changing popular images of cave men and women over the past 150 years.

About this title

About the Author

NICHOLAS RUDDICK is a professor of English at the University of Regina and author of Ultimate Island: On the Nature of British Science Fiction (1993).

Edition details

• Publisher: Wesleyan University Press
• Publication date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0819569003
• ISBN 13: 9780819569004
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 292