About the Author

RACHEL HAYWOOD FERREIRA is an associate professor of Spanish and Portuguese at Iowa State University. Her articles on early and golden age Latin American science fiction have appeared in Science Fiction Studies, Hispania, Journal of the Fantastic in the Arts, and Extrapolation.

Reviews

..".of great use to general scholars of Latin American literatures in drawing attention to fictions that reveal the connections between themselves as texts and those contemporary and future similar explorations of science, technology, identity and possible societies. But certainly, for its act of retro-labeling so many fictions as science fictions, it deserves to be read by anyone interested in the history and formation of the genre, showing as it does that sf is not a simple matter of genre-labeling or "influence" but is a fundamental toolkit for understanding the world. It offers a model and an example for similar works, exploring other continents, but it is entirely successful at establishing that the early works of sf in Latin America are essentially parts of the conversation."--Andy Sawyer, Extrapolation

"In the arena of Latin American sf studies there are previous few books that match the caliber of Rachel Haywood Ferreira's for its thoroughness of scholarship, penetrating historical and theoretical discussions, thematic organization, and accessibility to a wide audience.... For scholars of sf in general looking to broaden their understanding of non-European and non-North American early sf, this book will undoubtedly be a welcome addition to their libraries."--Aaron Dziubinskyj, SFRA Review

"Writing in a clear, readable style, Haywood Ferreira shows science fiction's usefulness in Latin America as a vehicle for examining national identities and modernization, particularly civilization and barbarity. Recommended."--A.A. Edwards, Choice

...a much-needed, well-written account of the origins of the genre in Mexico, Argentina, and Brazil from 1850 to 1920...a pleasure for both the Latin Americanist and the sf researcher. Juan C. Toledano Redondo, Science Fiction Studies"

an engrossing, readable history of the genesis of modern Latin American sf. Haywood Ferreira recounts this intellectually exciting literary adventure with skill and verve. Michael A. Morrison, World Literature Today"

of great use to general scholars of Latin American literatures in drawing attention to fictions that reveal the connections between themselves as texts and those contemporary and future similar explorations of science, technology, identity and possible societies. But certainly, for its act of retro-labeling so many fictions as science fictions, it deserves to be read by anyone interested in the history and formation of the genre, showing as it does that sf is not a simple matter of genre-labeling or influence but is a fundamental toolkit for understanding the world. It offers a model and an example for similar works, exploring other continents, but it is entirely successful at establishing that the early works of sf in Latin America are essentially parts of the conversation. Andy Sawyer, Extrapolation"

Free of academic cant and jargon, sure to appeal to any reader with a cosmopolitan bent, this book restores a collateral branch of the global SF family to its North American and European relatives, engineering a reunion that can only benefit everyone, north and south, east and west. Paul Di Filippo, Locus"

In the arena of Latin American sf studies there are previous few books that match the caliber of Rachel Haywood Ferreira's for its thoroughness of scholarship, penetrating historical and theoretical discussions, thematic organization, and accessibility to a wide audience.... For scholars of sf in general looking to broaden their understanding of non-European and non-North American early sf, this book will undoubtedly be a welcome addition to their libraries. Aaron Dziubinskyj, SFRA Review"

This fascinating exploration of Latin American SF prior to 1920 points to a parallel tradition to the much better-known North American one. Jeff VanderMeer, Omnivoracious"

Writing in a clear, readable style, Haywood Ferreira shows science fiction s usefulness in Latin America as a vehicle for examining national identities and modernization, particularly civilization and barbarity. Recommended. A.A. Edwards, Choice"