The Anticipation Novelists of 1950s French Science Fiction: Stepchildren of Voltaire

249 Pages·2010·2.2 MB·English

by  Bradford Lyau

The Anticipation
Novelists of 1950s French
Science Fiction
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The Anticipation
Novelists of 1950s French
Science Fiction
Stepchildren of Voltaire
B L
RADFORD YAU
Foreword by George Slusser
CRITICALEXPLORATIONSINSCIENCEFICTIONANDFANTASY, 24
Donald E. Palumbo and C.W. Sullivan III, series editors
McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
Jefferson, North Carolina, and London
LIBRARYOFCONGRESSCATALOGUING-IN-PUBLICATIONDATA
Lyau, Bradford, ¡953–
The Anticipation novelists of ¡950s French science fiction:
stepchildren of Voltaire / Bradford Lyau ; foreword by George
Slusser.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-7864-5857-8
softcover : 50# alkaline paper
¡. Science fiction, French—History and criticism. 2. French
fiction—20th century—History and criticism. 3. Progress in
literature. I. Title.
PQ637.S34.L93 2011
843'.087620909¡4—dc22 20¡003885¡
British Library cataloguing data are available
©20¡¡Lyau Bradford. All rights reserved
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form
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without permission in writing from the publisher.
Front cover art ©20¡¡Wood River Gallery
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To my mother and father,
who put up with their son’s strange reading habits
and even weirder career choices.
Thanks for your understanding
—and for all other things.
And to
Leonard Krieger (1918–1990),
historian, scholar, and mentor.
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Table of Contents
Acknowledgments ix
Foreword by George Slusser 1
Introduction 7
One. Background 11
Two. The Moderates 31
F. Richard-Bessière 31
M.A. Rayjean 59
Kemmel 73
Chapter Summary 75
Three. The Extremist 76
Jimmy Guieu 76
Four. The Conservatives 94
Stefan Wul 94
Maurice Limat 115
Peter Randa 126
Kurt Steiner 132
Chapter Summary 139
Five. The Radicals 140
Jean-Gaston Vandel 140
B.R. Bruss 169
Chapter Summary 182
Six. A Last Word 183
Gilles D’argyre 184
Seven. Conclusion 193
Chapter Notes 199
Bibliography 211
Index 225
vii
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Acknowledgments
As I did in my dissertation, the basis of this study, I begin my expressions
of gratitude by acknowledging my head advisor in graduate school in the Depart-
ment of History at the University of Chicago, Leonard Krieger (1918–1990). His
patience and faith as a mentor to me remain a source of inspiration. This is why
half of my dedication belongs to him. I know he would have approved heartily
of this project. I can only hope he would have thought likewise of the result.
George Slusser, a friend and colleague for over a quarter of century,
deserves much recognition for reading the whole manuscript and giving his
advice. His insights into French literature, popular literature, and philosophy
have enabled me to clear more easily the usual obstacles inherent in studying
a different culture. I have asked him to write the preface to this study as I cannot
imagine a more fitting person to do so.
Marie-Hélène Huet, Jean-Marc Lofficier, and Laurent Genefort each read
a chapter and gave invaluable perspectives (as well as priceless boosts of confi-
dence when I got it right). Lofficier also provided much appreciated background
information throughout the writing of this study.
H. Hilliard Gastfriend edited the whole manuscript, helped me avoid embar-
rassing mistakes, and made sure that what I wrote was what I meant to say.
The community of participants, organizers, and supporters of the J. Lloyd
Eaton Conference, the annual academic conference on science fiction centered
on the J. Lloyd Eaton Collection of Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, and
Utopian Literature at the University of California, Riverside, deserve mention.
Since I left the academic world, these gatherings kept me in touch with the
latest research in the field and provided me with many ideas that resulted in
publications, including this study.
The staff of the Eaton Collection has helped me immensely through the
years on this and other projects. Particular thanks go to Clifford Wurfel and
Melissa Conway, past and present heads of the collection.
I would be remiss if I do not mention Michael Murrin, who sat on my dis-
sertation committee. His comments and advice from back then still apply today.
Thank you.
Two people who are no longer with us should be acknowledged as early
inspirations for this study. Jack Williamson (1908–2006) needs no introduction
ix