Visionary fiction

Visionary fiction is a fiction genre with New Age or mind, body, spirit themes and perspectives, including consciousness expansion, spirituality, mysticism, and parapsychology.[1][2] It is sometimes classed as a subtype of speculative fiction.[3] Examples include the novels The Celestine Prophecy[1] The Alchemist,[4] and Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah.[3] The Book Industry Study Group's BISAC subject heading FIC039000 is "FICTION / Visionary & Metaphysical".[5]

Although similar themes and content occur in the literature of numerous cultures in many ages, the term "visionary fiction" was suggested by Renée Weber, professor of philosophy at Rutgers University, and used by John Algeo in a 1982 article describing recent examples and earlier precursors.[3] By the year 2000 it had recognition as a distinct genre.[1][6] Contemporary authors have formed organizations like the Visionary Fiction Alliance to clearly define what the genre is and what works belong to this category, advocate the use of this term for all fiction of the determined type, and promote authorship and readership of this form of fiction.[7]

  1. ^ a b c Langstaff, Margaret (May 15, 2000). "Mind + Body + Spirit = New Age". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  2. ^ "What is Visionary Fiction". visionaryfictionalliance.com. Retrieved 30 July 2014.
  3. ^ a b c Algeo, John (May 1982). "Spiritual Revolution in Literature: Speculative Fiction and its Goal" (PDF). The American Theosophist. 70 (5): 142–154 : 149–152.
  4. ^ Hart, Stephen M. (2004). "Cultural Hybridity, Magical Realism, and the Language of Magic in Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist". Romance Quarterly. 51 (4): 304–312. doi:10.3200/RQTR.51.4.304-312. ISSN 0883-1157. S2CID 162481626. in my local book– shop, The Alchemist appears in the "Mind, Body, Soul" section under the heading of "Visionary Fiction,"
  5. ^ "BISAC Subject Headings List Fiction".
  6. ^ Gurian, Michael. "A New Genre". www.visionaryfiction.org. Retrieved 30 July 2014.
  7. ^ "Visionary Fiction Alliance". visionaryfictionalliance.com.