Review by Choice Review
Though Ellison (b. 1934) has long been known internationally for his 1,100-plus fantasy and science fiction stories, novels, and film and television scripts and for his iconoclastic commentary on television, genre fiction, theater, society, and politics, he has received little sustained criticism before this remarkably thorough, incisive study. Ellison's early, forgettable work led to his unique status as a flamboyant author keyed to 1960s changes regarding literature, music, film, and journalism, among other forces, notably in breaking the limits of science fiction. Weil and Wolfe seem to have read and assimilated all of Ellison's output, since they easily (if repetitively) surf his ouevre and compare writings and themes from various phases of his anticonformist career with those of numerous other writers. Providing more biographical details (his childhood, marriages, Jewishness, army stint) than available previously, the authors offer a persuasive defense for their claim for Ellison's significance. Their discussion of Ellison's "myths of identity," in which his "view of the past is inseparable from the theme of loss," is provocative and valuable, as is the treatment of the Ellison "hero." Delving into Ellison's major literary efforts in some depth and including thorough, accurate bibliographies, this volume is highly recommended for all academic collections. P. Schlueter formerly, Warren County Community College
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
