Description: "After Jules Verne, the Belgian-born Rosny (1856-1940) is probably the greatest of all French-speaking science-fiction writers, although only a few of his works have been readily available in English. Happily, thanks to the Wesleyan Early Classics of Science Fiction Series, three of Rosny's finest novellas can now be enjoyed in authoritative translations. Never having encountered any of his fiction, I was unprepared for the power and beauty of 'The Xipehuz,' 'Another World' and 'The Death of the Earth.'"--Michael Dirda, The Washington Post "The Wesleyan edition of Three Science Fiction Novellas offers unexpurgated and scrupulously accurate translations by Danile Chatelain and George Slusser plus a full scholarly apparatus. Chatelain and Slusser begin with a 75-page 'Introduction' (in reality, an independent critical essay) on 'Rosny's Evolutionary Ecology' Readers in search of a brief overview of Rosny's sf output and its reception will need to turn to the 'Translators' Note' and 'Annotated Bibliography' of this edition."--Patrick Parrinder, Foundation "[E]ssential reading for Anglophone readers new to Rosny, and recommended for anyone in search of a fuller understanding of Rosny's importance in early French and world sf."--Terry Harpold, Science Fiction Studies "Chatelain and Slusser praise Rosny's scientifically objective coverage of the tale of the Last Man. Yet it is also commendable how he makes the ferromagnetic beings, the life forms that vie for domination of the Earth's resources, grippingly sinister."--Emelyne Godfrey, Times Literary Supplement "[Rosny] belongs somewhere between Jules Verne and H.G. Wells. [He is] one of the true originals of science fiction."--Paul Kincaid, Interzone "Rosny was a species pluralist, and believed that human beings are no more entitled than any other creature to reign supreme. He would have felt right at home among the Men In Black."--Laura Miller, The New Yorker "After Jules Verne, the Belgian-born Rosny (1856-1940) is probably the greatest of all French-speaking science-fiction writers, although only a few of his works have been readily available in English. Happily, thanks to the Wesleyan Early Classics of Science Fiction Series, three of Rosny's finest novellas can now be enjoyed in authoritative translations. Never having encountered any of his fiction, I was unprepared for the power and beauty of 'The Xiphuz,' 'Another World' and 'The Death of the Earth.'"--Michael Dirda, Washington Post "In a lengthy, well-researched introduction the authors situate Rosny's work within evolutionary biology, showcasing his interest in Darwinian evolution and arguing for his rightful place as the true father of hard science fiction. The three novellas are intriguing and nicely translated. Highly recommended."--S.E. Vie, Choice "Rosny's unique and exciting style, coupled with the meticulous work that Chatelain and Slusser have done, means that Three Science Fiction Novellas: From Prehistory to the End of Mankind is a must-read for anyone interested in the roots of science fiction. The stories strike to the core of what was initially exciting about science fiction and hopefully show that the 'old masters' were more than just an anecdote or nascent promise but rather people who deeply understood the principle, skills, and ideas that ended up making science fiction into what it is today."--Eden Kupermintz, Ancillary Review of Books

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