The Heads of Cerberus
The First Sci-Fi to use the Idea of Parallel Worlds and Alternate Time
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- $1.99
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- $1.99
Publisher Description
'The Heads of Cerberus' curated by Gertrude Barrows Bennett, also known by her pseudonym Francis Stevens, emerges as a landmark collection, melding early 20th-century speculative fiction with rich, philosophical undertones. The anthology seamlessly encompasses a variety of styles, ranging from gothic suspense to pioneering science fiction, reflecting the turbulence and innovation of the early modernist period. The inclusion of landmark pieces such as the title work prominently demonstrates an exploration of dystopian themes and the transformative potential of narrative structure in speculative fiction. Each story serves as a portal to the unfamiliar, challenging the boundaries of reality and fiction. This collection highlights Bennett's, one of the first major female science fiction writers in America, indelible mark on the genre. Her oeuvre encapsulates a pivotal era where science fiction began to gain scholarly attention and commercial popularity. The works selected resonate with the themes of societal transformation and the quest for knowledge, emblematic of the larger currents of the American post-Victorian context. Bennett's visionary approach not only pioneered themes in science fiction but also significantly influenced contemporaneous and subsequent writers within the genre. The Heads of Cerberus' is essential reading for enthusiasts seeking to explore the origins and evolution of speculative fiction. The anthology offers readers an exclusive glimpse into the early development of dystopian narratives and the role of literature in critiquing societal norms. This collection is a scholarly treasure that promises not only a journey through varied landscapes of human imagination but also stimulates intellectual discourse among readers intrigued by early science fiction. Herein lies a unique educational experience, emphasizing the historical value and innovative spirit of Bennett's writing.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
This rediscovered 1919 classic by Stevens (the pseudonym of Gertrude Barrows Bennett, 1884 1948, who arguably invented dark fantasy) is an intriguing and political time-travel adventure. Clever teen Viola Trenmore is hanging out in 1918 Philadelphia in the company of her brother, Terence Trenmore, a wealthy, burly Irishman; his friend Robert Drayton, a lawyer; and Arnold Bertram, a hapless burglar. After Drayton breaks open a crystal vial, the dust inside it propels the foursome to a strange limbo called Ulithia, where they meet dancing shadow people. Then they're sent 200 years into the future. The capricious regime of 2118 uses murderous public competitions to keep the population subjugated, and the oppressed are forced to wear large yellow buttons; though the text predates Nazi Germany by decades, modern readers will find those connotations inescapable. Viola is as logical as she is petite, and easily holds her own alongside the men as they explore weird Ulithia and interact with corrupt government officials. This work, set in the birthplace of America, proclaims that democracy is tenuous, and its themes will be deeply resonant for those concerned by present-day politics.