Home > New Wave (science fiction)

The New Wave was characterised by a high degree of experimentation, both in form as in content. The New Wave authors introduced various techniques used in mainstream literature to science fiction writing, one example being William S. Burroughs' cut-up technique.

In content, the New Wave rejected the core concerns of traditional science fiction ("outer space"), in favour of a focus on taboo breaking and a more people focused approach ("innerspace"). One of the central ideas of the New Wave was entropy, the idea that the universe will irrevocably run down, and its reflection in human society. Also important was the idea of "relevance"; the idea that science fiction should concern itself with the issues important to society now.

The New Wave movement started to explore many subjects, including sex in science fiction, in ways that were previously unthinkable. Harlan Ellison's anthology Dangerous Visions was an important milestone, functioning as a showcase for the New Wave.

The term "New Wave" is borrowed from film criticism's nouvelle vague: films characterised by the work of Jean-Luc Goddard, François Truffaut, and others. It was later applied to 1970s punk rock in the UK and to new wave music.

1 Important New Wave authors

• Brian AldissBrian Wilson Aldiss (born August 18, 1925 in East Dereham, Norfolk) is a prolific English author of both general fiction and science fiction. His byline reads either Brian W. Aldiss or simply Brian Aldiss . In 1943, he joined the Royal Signals regiment, a
• J.G. Ballard
• Philip K. DickPhilip Kindred Dick ( December 16 1928 March 2 1982), often known by his initials PKD or by the pen name Richard Phillips was an American science fiction writer and novelist who changed the genre profoundly. Though hailed during his lifetime by peers such
• Thomas M. DischThomas M. Disch ( February 2, 1940 ) is an American science fiction author. He has been nominated for the Hugo and Nebula Awards several times. He was born in Des Moines, Iowa. He began appearing in the science fiction magazines in the 60s, and his first
• Harlan Ellison
• Harry HarrisonHarry Maxwell Harrison (born March 12, 1925 in Stamford, Connecticut) is an American science fiction author who has lived in many parts of the world including Mexico, England, Denmark and Italy. He currently lives in Dublin, and is Honorary President of t
• M. John HarrisonMichael John Harrison (born July 26, 1945), also known by his initials MJH is a UK writer, mainly of science fiction and fantasy; he has also written one mainstream novel, Climbers ( 1989). He is himself a keen rock climber. He may be best known for his V
• Ursula LeGuin
• Keith Roberts
• Robert Silverberg
• Norman Spinrad
• Roger Zelazny
• Michael Moorcock