This paper analyzes how vulnerability is represented in the Jack Reacher series, by drawing onwork by Bryan Turner and Judith Butler. The purpose of the research is to investigate the reasonReacher’s acts of vigilantism are needed. I look at examples of vulnerability and precarity foundin the books Killing Floor and Die Trying, and argue that state neglect is the cause of economicand social vulnerability in the towns Margrave and Yorke, leading to precarity expressed ascriminal money and community subjugation controlling the towns. I conclude that the solutionpresented, through vigilantism, is reassuring but insufficient, but that the series, in representing acomplex display of vulnerability and acknowledging the insufficiency of the solution, stressesthe difficulty of presenting a simple solution to the multifaceted nature of the issue ofvulnerability.

O objetivo deste estudo é fornecer uma análise dos dois principais movimentos dentro da ficção científica em língua inglesa vinculados ao pós-modernismo, a New Wave da década de 1960 e o Movimento Cyberpunk da década de 1980, estabelecendo comparações com a produção de ficção científica do mesmo período, dentro das Primeira e Segunda Ondas da Ficção Científica Brasileira. Questões de política literária serão sempre evocadas, como maneira de relativizar o peso teórico das discussões, tentando estabelecer que intenções, procedimentos e programas literários existem inseridos em contextos pessoais, sociais e mesmo nacionais. Essa abordagem é amparada pelo conceito do Campo de Poder, do sociólogo francês Pierre Bourdieu (1930-2002), e de diversos intérpretes de suas idéias. A partir dos trabalhos de críticos e teóricos como Clive Bloom, Scott McCracken, Ken Gelder, Michel de Certeau e Robert Scholes, este trabalho propõe que a ficção científica, como gênero literário de raízes populares, é capaz de exercer o papel de uma literatura que faz a crítica da modernidade, sem recorrer necessariamente aos aspectos formais associados à literatura pós-modernista, incluindo o texto fragmentário, a mistura de gêneros e códigos literários. A pesquisa conduz a uma reflexão a respeito da situação da ficção de gênero vis-à-vis a predileção da ficção pós-modernista pela metaficção e pelo experimentalismo. / The objective of this study is to provide an analysis of the two main literary movements in English-written science fiction associated to postmodernism, the New Wave of the 1960s and the Cyberpunk Movement of the 1980s, establishing comparisons with science fictional production of the same periods in the First and Second Waves of Brazilian science fiction. Issues of literary politics will be constantly considered, as a way to relativize the theoretical charge of the arguments, trying to establish that intentions, proceedings, and literary programs exist inserted in personal, social, and even national contexts. This approach is supported by the French sociologist Pierre Bourdieus concept of Field of Power, and also by a number of readers of his ideas. Taking from the works of critics and theoreticians such as Clive Bloom, Scott McCracken, Ken Gelder, Michel de Certeau, and Robert Scholes, this work claims that science fiction as a literary genre of popular roots can play out the role of a literature that performs a criticism of modernity without relying on those formal aspects associated with postmodernist literature, including fragmentary prose and the mixing of genres and literary codes. The research leads to a reflection concerning the situation of genre fiction vis-à-vis postmodernist fictions propensity for metafiction and experimentalism.

The Tide Lords series of fantasy novels set out to examine the issue of immortality. Its purpose was to look at the desirability of immortality, specifically why people actively seek it. It was meant to examine the practicality of immortality, specifically — having got there, what does one do to pass the time with eternity to fill? I also wished to examine the notion of true immortality — immortals who could not be killed. What I did not anticipate when embarking upon this series, and what did not become apparent until after the series had been sold to two major publishing houses in Australia and the US, was the strength of the immortality tropes. This series was intended to fly in the face of these tropes, but confronted with the reality of such a work, the Australian publishers baulked at the ideas presented, requesting the series be re-written with the tropes taken into consideration. They wanted immortals who could die, mortals who wanted to be immortal. And a hero with a sense of humour. This exegesis aims to explore where these tropes originated. It will also discuss the ways I negotiated a way around the tropes, and was eventually able to please the publishers by appearing to adhere to the tropes, while still staying true to the story I wanted to tell. As such, this discussion is, in part, an analysis of how an author negotiates the tensions around writing within a genre while trying to innovate within it.

O objetivo deste estudo é fornecer uma análise dos dois principais movimentos dentro da ficção científica em língua inglesa vinculados ao pós-modernismo, a New Wave da década de 1960 e o Movimento Cyberpunk da década de 1980, estabelecendo comparações com a produção de ficção científica do mesmo período, dentro das Primeira e Segunda Ondas da Ficção Científica Brasileira. Questões de política literária serão sempre evocadas, como maneira de relativizar o peso teórico das discussões, tentando estabelecer que intenções, procedimentos e programas literários existem inseridos em contextos pessoais, sociais e mesmo nacionais. Essa abordagem é amparada pelo conceito do Campo de Poder, do sociólogo francês Pierre Bourdieu (1930-2002), e de diversos intérpretes de suas idéias. A partir dos trabalhos de críticos e teóricos como Clive Bloom, Scott McCracken, Ken Gelder, Michel de Certeau e Robert Scholes, este trabalho propõe que a ficção científica, como gênero literário de raízes populares, é capaz de exercer o papel de uma literatura que faz a crítica da modernidade, sem recorrer necessariamente aos aspectos formais associados à literatura pós-modernista, incluindo o texto fragmentário, a mistura de gêneros e códigos literários. A pesquisa conduz a uma reflexão a respeito da situação da ficção de gênero vis-à-vis a predileção da ficção pós-modernista pela metaficção e pelo experimentalismo. / The objective of this study is to provide an analysis of the two main literary movements in English-written science fiction associated to postmodernism, the New Wave of the 1960s and the Cyberpunk Movement of the 1980s, establishing comparisons with science fictional production of the same periods in the First and Second Waves of Brazilian science fiction. Issues of literary politics will be constantly considered, as a way to relativize the theoretical charge of the arguments, trying to establish that intentions, proceedings, and literary programs exist inserted in personal, social, and even national contexts. This approach is supported by the French sociologist Pierre Bourdieus concept of Field of Power, and also by a number of readers of his ideas. Taking from the works of critics and theoreticians such as Clive Bloom, Scott McCracken, Ken Gelder, Michel de Certeau, and Robert Scholes, this work claims that science fiction as a literary genre of popular roots can play out the role of a literature that performs a criticism of modernity without relying on those formal aspects associated with postmodernist literature, including fragmentary prose and the mixing of genres and literary codes. The research leads to a reflection concerning the situation of genre fiction vis-à-vis postmodernist fictions propensity for metafiction and experimentalism.

Abstract  Introduction. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of a relatively new genre in popular literature in Sweden called "feelgood". Feelgood, as literary genre, has quickly risen to become a beloved and frequently borrowed genre among readers. However, there is a lack of knowledge regarding how the feelgood genre is perceived and handled by public libraries. Method. Six semi-structured interviews were conducted with librarians at public libraries. The interviewees reside in different parts of Sweden and the video communication platform Zoom was used to facilitate the enquire. Analysis. The data gathered from the interviews were transcribed and analyzed using a qualitative content method. It was also compared in relation to earlier studies. The theoretical approach was retrieved from Catherine Sheldrick Ross seven models of reading and Magnus Persson’s myth elements of literature and reading. Results. The results show that feelgood as literary genre is indeed noticed and discussed among the study’s informants. The thoughts and attitudes among the librarians differ but can generally be perceived as positive. Several of Ross and Persson’s theoretical models were applicable to the arguments put forward by the informants.  Conclusion. The study concludes that the feelgood genre in literature is mostly well-received among the participants.  However, there are some implications of inconsistencies in rhetoric and practice. The genre is considered both a hindrance and an opportunity. Reductions in public library budgets may possibly alter the way the feelgood genre is approached and handled. The result of the study is in many ways consistent with earlier studies conducted on other genre literature.  This is a two year master’s thesis in Library and Information Science.

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The selection of science fiction was researched to determine how science fiction should be evaluated and selected in the context of the public library. The first sub-problem to be researched concerned the cultural, societal and literary origins of this genre, after which its distinct phases of development were studied as well as the characteristic essence of science fiction which would affect its selection per se, specifically whether conventional literary criteria are suitable for the evaluation of items of science fiction during selection. The next sub-problem focused on, was whether theory can explain the process of fiction selection, The succeeding sub-problem was to empirically Study current practice in science fiction selection. Survey research was conducted amongst selected major urban/regional public library services in the USA. Final research results indicated that science fiction is a sophisticated, multi-textured genre which differs significantly from fellow popular genres, Science fiction is viewed by some critics as being on the cusp of post-modernism, a significant body of work in contemporary literature, and a supreme expression of late capitalism. Research further showed that no satisfactory evaluative criteria exist. It was also established that theory of fiction selection is not always capable of explaining or guiding the process of fiction selection. There is no model for the selection of science fiction. Finn guiding principles for science fiction selection could be formulated by the aid of this study. The study concluded with a specially-designed model for the selection of science fiction (including a scorecard with specially-compiled criteria for evaluating items), as well as a suggested core collection. A structured approach should be followed by the science fiction selector. The guiding principles and core collection which were formulated in this study, the set of special criteria as well as the model, together demonstrate that the selection of science fiction can be structured, controlled and guided within established parameters. / Information Science / D. Lit. et Phil. (Information Science)

The selection of science fiction was researched to determine how science fiction should be evaluated and selected in the context of the public library. The first sub-problem to be researched concerned the cultural, societal and literary origins of this genre, after which its distinct phases of development were studied as well as the characteristic essence of science fiction which would affect its selection per se, specifically whether conventional literary criteria are suitable for the evaluation of items of science fiction during selection. The next sub-problem focused on, was whether theory can explain the process of fiction selection, The succeeding sub-problem was to empirically Study current practice in science fiction selection. Survey research was conducted amongst selected major urban/regional public library services in the USA. Final research results indicated that science fiction is a sophisticated, multi-textured genre which differs significantly from fellow popular genres, Science fiction is viewed by some critics as being on the cusp of post-modernism, a significant body of work in contemporary literature, and a supreme expression of late capitalism. Research further showed that no satisfactory evaluative criteria exist. It was also established that theory of fiction selection is not always capable of explaining or guiding the process of fiction selection. There is no model for the selection of science fiction. Finn guiding principles for science fiction selection could be formulated by the aid of this study. The study concluded with a specially-designed model for the selection of science fiction (including a scorecard with specially-compiled criteria for evaluating items), as well as a suggested core collection. A structured approach should be followed by the science fiction selector. The guiding principles and core collection which were formulated in this study, the set of special criteria as well as the model, together demonstrate that the selection of science fiction can be structured, controlled and guided within established parameters. / Information Science / D. Lit. et Phil. (Information Science)

<p>This thesis argues that <i>Morituri</i> by Yasmina Khadra and <i>White Masks</i> by Elias Khoury use the genre of the detective novel as a pretext for social and political critique of Algeria and Lebanon respectively. This thesis links the generic (crime fiction) and the conceptual (Political and Social Critique in Modern Arab World). While the detective novel is traditionally thought of as a non-academic, entertaining part of popular culture, the use of the genre to critique the failure of nation building after colonization elevates the genre and transforms it from mere entertainment to a more serious genre. Both novels are emblematic of a shift in the use of the detective and crime novel to address the political disarray in their respective states and the Arab world as a whole. As modern examples of detective novels in the modern Arab world, <i>Morituri</i> and <i>White Masks</i> transform the genre through their complex interweaving of aspects of the popular genre of detective fiction with the more serious political novel. The historical and political context of both countries at the time of the novels’ settings are an intrinsic part of understanding the crimes and the obfuscation of the perpetrator. In both of these novels, the technical and generic aspects are connected to the thematic, and the detective novel structure is not just there for suspense and entertainment. Instead, this structure points to the neocolonial system, benefitting the most powerful and the most affluent at the expense of the weak, poor, and disadvantaged.</p>

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