Oppression and Resistance in New Chinese and Chinese-American Science Fiction

Join us to read selections from the best of Chinese and Chinese-American science fiction. Over the last ten years, authors have reached English-speaking audiences with exciting and award-winning new literature using the metaphors and methods of speculative and visionary writing.

The new wave of younger Chinese science fiction writers often brings exciting explorations of political and social themes. Alongside daring new scientific imaginations, our selections this fall feature issues of anti-Asian violence and racism, colonialism, then and now, and the cruelties of global capitalism, often resulting in resistance to oppression.  Our selections truly merit the new tag of “visionary fiction.”

Our reading group includes people steeped in the speculative fiction tradition as well as new readers exploring themes with us for the first time. The tilt of global economics, scientific research, and politics Eastward makes this fall’s theme timely.

Our list, still in formation, tentatively includes:

Vagabonds by Hao Jinfang, as well as her Hugo award-winning story, “Folding Beijing”

Selections from short story collections written, translated or edited by Ken Liu: Hidden Planets, Broken Planets, and The Hidden Girl

Babel, by RF Kuang

Our Missing Children, by Celeste Ng

Severance, by Ling Ma

We plan to experiment with a hybrid format. We will meet monthly for a longer, in-depth discussion as we finish a book. This more typical book club may better suit you if you want to read on your own and then take part in an overall discussion of the readings. We will also continue our weekly ninety-minute meetings for those who can make that commitment. You can register for all or just the monthly longer sessions.

Convened by Steve Backman, long-time explorer of the visionary side of science fiction; member of the MEP leadership team