Lab lit
Encyclopedia
Lab lit is a genre of fiction that centres on realistic portrayals of scientists, and science as a profession. Unlike science fiction
, lab lit is typically set in the real world, rather than a speculative or future one. Lab lit novels may centre on the science directly, or include a scientific setting as the background, but all tend to feature scientists as central characters. Examples of lab lit include Cantor's Dilemma by Carl Djerassi
, Intuition by Allegra Goodman
, Mendel's Dwarf by Simon Mawer
and Enigma by Robert Harris
.
The trend to incorporate real science into fiction is a relatively new one, championed by such scientist novelists such as Carl Djerassi
, Ann Lingard and Jennifer Rohn
. The number of lab lit novels published was rare and sporadic over the past century, but an upturn occurred around 1990, with five to ten new titles appearing annually in more recent years. This is also reflected in a course at Lyman Briggs College, Michigan State University
devoted to lab lit. The reasons for this increase are unclear but may include factors such as more interest in science on the part of the general public, or of publishers and established authors
.
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
, lab lit is typically set in the real world, rather than a speculative or future one. Lab lit novels may centre on the science directly, or include a scientific setting as the background, but all tend to feature scientists as central characters. Examples of lab lit include Cantor's Dilemma by Carl Djerassi
Carl Djerassi
Carl Djerassi is an Austrian-American chemist, novelist, and playwright best known for his contribution to the development of the first oral contraceptive pill . Djerassi is emeritus professor of chemistry at Stanford University.He participated in the invention in 1951, together with Mexican Luis E...
, Intuition by Allegra Goodman
Allegra Goodman
Allegra Goodman is an American author based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Her most recent novel, The Cookbook Collector, was published in 2010. Goodman wrote and illustrated her first novel at the age of seven. -Early years and family:...
, Mendel's Dwarf by Simon Mawer
Simon Mawer
Simon Mawer is a British author who currently lives in Italy.-Life and work:Educated at Millfield School in Somerset and at Brasenose College, Oxford, Mawer took a degree in Zoology and has worked as a biology teacher for most of his life. He published his first novel, Chimera, at the...
and Enigma by Robert Harris
Robert Harris (novelist)
Robert Dennis Harris is an English novelist. He is a former journalist and BBC television reporter.-Early life:Born in Nottingham, Harris spent his childhood in a small rented house on a Nottingham council estate. His ambition to become a writer arose at an early age, from visits to the local...
.
The trend to incorporate real science into fiction is a relatively new one, championed by such scientist novelists such as Carl Djerassi
Carl Djerassi
Carl Djerassi is an Austrian-American chemist, novelist, and playwright best known for his contribution to the development of the first oral contraceptive pill . Djerassi is emeritus professor of chemistry at Stanford University.He participated in the invention in 1951, together with Mexican Luis E...
, Ann Lingard and Jennifer Rohn
Jennifer Rohn
-External links:* - Rohn's website* - Rohn's blog on Occam's Typewriter* - Rohn's Twitter feed* - a science-in-fiction site run by Rohn* Science is Vital webpage...
. The number of lab lit novels published was rare and sporadic over the past century, but an upturn occurred around 1990, with five to ten new titles appearing annually in more recent years. This is also reflected in a course at Lyman Briggs College, Michigan State University
Michigan State University
Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
devoted to lab lit. The reasons for this increase are unclear but may include factors such as more interest in science on the part of the general public, or of publishers and established authors
.