The future of science fiction

Space, the final frontier. But is science fiction the final frontier when it comes to being a literature of ideas?

George R.R. Martin has been called the American Tolkien. His epic fantasy series "A Song of Ice and Fire" is up to the forthcoming volume five; and he’s published two volumes of "Dreamsongs," a career-spanning anthology of his science fiction, fantasy and horror short stories with short connective essays.

Martin tells host Jim Fleming that he thinks all fiction is about ideas and that only the furniture changes, that is the details of setting, character and storytelling style that the author chooses to use. And Martin reads an excerpt from Volume I of "Dreamsongs."

Support PRI when you purchase George R.R. Martin’s book "Dreamsongs: Volume I ".

"To the Best of Our Knowledge" is an audio magazine of ideas – two hours of smart, entertaining radio for people with curious minds. More "To the Best of Our Knowledge"

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