[Commlist] New Book: Nostalgic Futures

New book, /Nostalgic Futures: The Reactionary Fantasies of Speculative 
Fiction Fandoms / by Max Dosser (Rutgers University Press)

Speculative fiction imagines impossible futures and alternative pasts, 
alien species and angelic monsters, technological marvels and magical 
solutions. In recent years, however, many in its fandoms have protested 
the inclusion of nonwhite, nonmale, and nonheterosexual characters as 
betrayals of their beloved media for the sake of “wokeness.” /Nostalgic 
Futures: The Reactionary Fantasies of Speculative Fiction 
Fandoms/ examines how contemporary fan controversies— particularly those 
surrounding gender, race, and sexuality in speculative fiction 
media—intersect with reactionary movements within and beyond fandom. 
This book explores how the nostalgic fantasies of fans and far-right 
movements contribute to broader reactionary discourses, shaping not only 
the past they long for but the future they fear. From the Hugo Awards 
and PuppyGate to /Star Wars/’ #NotMyJedi to /Mass Effect /and /The Last 
of Us/ boycotts, /Nostalgic Futures/ reveals how speculative fiction 
fandom has become a site of contestation over our visions of the past, 
present, and future.

What people are saying:

“Dosser’s accessible and informed analysis exposes the affective 
politics of reactionary nostalgia in fandom. Through case studies drawn 
from literary, film, and video game culture, Dosser shows that we can 
better understand the nature of right-wing backlashes against 
progressive speculative fiction by interrogating how these movements 
organize around shared emotions.”

  *
    Jordan Carroll, author of /Speculative Whiteness: Science Fiction
    and the Alt-Right/



“If you've ever read racist and sexist comments on a fan forum dedicated 
to your favorite comic book or listened to a YouTuber rant and rave 
about wokeness in Hollywood and wondered ‘how did we get here?’, this 
book is for you. Nostalgic Futures is a must-read explanation of how 
nostalgic fandom just might be the key to understanding what fuels 
reactionary political movements.”

  *
    Megan Condis, author of /Gaming Masculinity: Trolls, Fake Geeks, and
    the Gendered Battle for Online Culture/


More information (including table of contents and ordering information) 
is available here: 
https://www.rutgersuniversitypress.org/nostalgic-futures/9781978846289 
<https://www.rutgersuniversitypress.org/nostalgic-futures/9781978846289>

Contact: Max Dosser, (dosserm /at/ wittenberg.edu)




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