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Becoming Alien: The Beginning and End of Evil in Science Fiction's Most Idiosyncratic Film Franchise (Reel Spirituality Monograph)

Hardcover |English |1725282992 | 9781725282995

Becoming Alien: The Beginning and End of Evil in Science Fiction's Most Idiosyncratic Film Franchise (Reel Spirituality Monograph)

Hardcover |English |1725282992 | 9781725282995
Overview
The Alien films are perceived to be a fractured franchise, each one loosely related to the others. They are nonlinear, complicated, convoluted: a collection of genre movies ranging from horror to war to farce. But on closer examination, the threads that bind together these films are strong and undeniable. The series is a model of Catherine Keller's cosmology as a cycle of order out of chaos, an illustration of her concept of evil as discreation. When viewed through the lens of Keller's Face of the Deep, the Alien films resolve into a cohesive whole. The series becomes six views of the idea of evil-as-exploitation, its origins, and its consequences. Each film expands on the concept of evil set forth by its predecessors, complicating that conception, and retroactively enriching readings of the films that came before.
ISBN: 1725282992
ISBN13: 9781725282995
Author: Sarah Welch-Larson
Publisher: Cascade Books
Format: Hardcover
PublicationDate: 2021-03-15
Language: English
PageCount: 144
Dimensions: 5.0 x 0.38 x 8.0 inches
Weight: 7.84 ounces
The Alien films are perceived to be a fractured franchise, each one loosely related to the others. They are nonlinear, complicated, convoluted: a collection of genre movies ranging from horror to war to farce. But on closer examination, the threads that bind together these films are strong and undeniable. The series is a model of Catherine Keller's cosmology as a cycle of order out of chaos, an illustration of her concept of evil as discreation. When viewed through the lens of Keller's Face of the Deep, the Alien films resolve into a cohesive whole. The series becomes six views of the idea of evil-as-exploitation, its origins, and its consequences. Each film expands on the concept of evil set forth by its predecessors, complicating that conception, and retroactively enriching readings of the films that came before.
Editorial Reviews


""Sarah Welch-Larson's Becoming Alien does something the cinematic series itself couldn't entirely manage: offer a cohesive thematic and aesthetic vision, in this case one rooted in a theologically provocative understanding of origins and evil. After reading Welch-Larson's book, you'll immediately want to watch all six Alien films again, appreciating the elements she perceived that you likely missed."" --Josh Larsen, author of Movies Are Prayers ""Few monsters are as iconic as the Alien, spawned from a franchise as changeable as its creature's various forms. In this provocative volume, Welch-Larson hugs a theological through line that, much like Ripley, enables her to find grace, hope, and possibility bursting from the films. Both of my jaws were on the floor."" --JR. Forasteros, author of Empathy for the Devil ""Alien fans remember the villain who calls that malevolent monster a 'perfect organism . . . unclouded by conscience or delusions of morality.' In Becoming Alien, we watch Sarah Welch-Larson achieve something like the opposite: Guided by conscience, she illuminates this shape-shifting series with moral vision. As she surgically studies an epic battle of good versus 'discreation, ' her insights flare like Ripley's flame-thrower. And you can tell it's personal. Let's call it 'perfect criticism.'"" --Jeffrey Overstreet, author of Through a Screen Darkly and Auralia's Colors


Sarah Welch-Larson writes about aesthetics of science fiction and character-driven narratives in film. She is interested in feminist theory and theology, and in stories about agency and creation, particularly regarding cyborgs and androids. She lives in Chicago with her husband, their dog, and about two dozen houseplants.

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Overview
The Alien films are perceived to be a fractured franchise, each one loosely related to the others. They are nonlinear, complicated, convoluted: a collection of genre movies ranging from horror to war to farce. But on closer examination, the threads that bind together these films are strong and undeniable. The series is a model of Catherine Keller's cosmology as a cycle of order out of chaos, an illustration of her concept of evil as discreation. When viewed through the lens of Keller's Face of the Deep, the Alien films resolve into a cohesive whole. The series becomes six views of the idea of evil-as-exploitation, its origins, and its consequences. Each film expands on the concept of evil set forth by its predecessors, complicating that conception, and retroactively enriching readings of the films that came before.
ISBN: 1725282992
ISBN13: 9781725282995
Author: Sarah Welch-Larson
Publisher: Cascade Books
Format: Hardcover
PublicationDate: 2021-03-15
Language: English
PageCount: 144
Dimensions: 5.0 x 0.38 x 8.0 inches
Weight: 7.84 ounces
The Alien films are perceived to be a fractured franchise, each one loosely related to the others. They are nonlinear, complicated, convoluted: a collection of genre movies ranging from horror to war to farce. But on closer examination, the threads that bind together these films are strong and undeniable. The series is a model of Catherine Keller's cosmology as a cycle of order out of chaos, an illustration of her concept of evil as discreation. When viewed through the lens of Keller's Face of the Deep, the Alien films resolve into a cohesive whole. The series becomes six views of the idea of evil-as-exploitation, its origins, and its consequences. Each film expands on the concept of evil set forth by its predecessors, complicating that conception, and retroactively enriching readings of the films that came before.
Editorial Reviews


""Sarah Welch-Larson's Becoming Alien does something the cinematic series itself couldn't entirely manage: offer a cohesive thematic and aesthetic vision, in this case one rooted in a theologically provocative understanding of origins and evil. After reading Welch-Larson's book, you'll immediately want to watch all six Alien films again, appreciating the elements she perceived that you likely missed."" --Josh Larsen, author of Movies Are Prayers ""Few monsters are as iconic as the Alien, spawned from a franchise as changeable as its creature's various forms. In this provocative volume, Welch-Larson hugs a theological through line that, much like Ripley, enables her to find grace, hope, and possibility bursting from the films. Both of my jaws were on the floor."" --JR. Forasteros, author of Empathy for the Devil ""Alien fans remember the villain who calls that malevolent monster a 'perfect organism . . . unclouded by conscience or delusions of morality.' In Becoming Alien, we watch Sarah Welch-Larson achieve something like the opposite: Guided by conscience, she illuminates this shape-shifting series with moral vision. As she surgically studies an epic battle of good versus 'discreation, ' her insights flare like Ripley's flame-thrower. And you can tell it's personal. Let's call it 'perfect criticism.'"" --Jeffrey Overstreet, author of Through a Screen Darkly and Auralia's Colors


Sarah Welch-Larson writes about aesthetics of science fiction and character-driven narratives in film. She is interested in feminist theory and theology, and in stories about agency and creation, particularly regarding cyborgs and androids. She lives in Chicago with her husband, their dog, and about two dozen houseplants.

Books - New and Used

The following guidelines apply to books:

  • New: A brand-new copy with cover and original protective wrapping intact. Books with markings of any kind on the cover or pages, books marked as "Bargain" or "Remainder," or with any other labels attached, may not be listed as New condition.
  • Used - Good: All pages and cover are intact (including the dust cover, if applicable). Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May include "From the library of" labels. Shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Item may be missing bundled media.
  • Used - Acceptable: All pages and the cover are intact, but shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Pages may include limited notes, highlighting, or minor water damage but the text is readable. Item may but the dust cover may be missing. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting, but the text cannot be obscured or unreadable.

Note: Some electronic material access codes are valid only for one user. For this reason, used books, including books listed in the Used – Like New condition, may not come with functional electronic material access codes.

Shipping Fees

  • Stevens Books offers FREE SHIPPING everywhere in the United States for ALL non-book orders, and $3.99 for each book.
  • Packages are shipped from Monday to Friday.
  • No additional fees and charges.

Delivery Times

The usual time for processing an order is 24 hours (1 business day), but may vary depending on the availability of products ordered. This period excludes delivery times, which depend on your geographic location.

Estimated delivery times:

  • Standard Shipping: 5-8 business days
  • Expedited Shipping: 3-5 business days

Shipping method varies depending on what is being shipped.  

Tracking
All orders are shipped with a tracking number. Once your order has left our warehouse, a confirmation e-mail with a tracking number will be sent to you. You will be able to track your package at all times. 

Damaged Parcel
If your package has been delivered in a PO Box, please note that we are not responsible for any damage that may result (consequences of extreme temperatures, theft, etc.). 

If you have any questions regarding shipping or want to know about the status of an order, please contact us or email to support@stevensbooks.com.

You may return most items within 30 days of delivery for a full refund.

To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused and in the same condition that you received it. It must also be in the original packaging.

Several types of goods are exempt from being returned. Perishable goods such as food, flowers, newspapers or magazines cannot be returned. We also do not accept products that are intimate or sanitary goods, hazardous materials, or flammable liquids or gases.

Additional non-returnable items:

  • Gift cards
  • Downloadable software products
  • Some health and personal care items

To complete your return, we require a tracking number, which shows the items which you already returned to us.
There are certain situations where only partial refunds are granted (if applicable)

  • Book with obvious signs of use
  • CD, DVD, VHS tape, software, video game, cassette tape, or vinyl record that has been opened
  • Any item not in its original condition, is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to our error
  • Any item that is returned more than 30 days after delivery

Items returned to us as a result of our error will receive a full refund,some returns may be subject to a restocking fee of 7% of the total item price, please contact a customer care team member to see if your return is subject. Returns that arrived on time and were as described are subject to a restocking fee.

Items returned to us that were not the result of our error, including items returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address, will be refunded the original item price less our standard restocking fees.

If the item is returned to us for any of the following reasons, a 15% restocking fee will be applied to your refund total and you will be asked to pay for return shipping:

  • Item(s) no longer needed or wanted.
  • Item(s) returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address.
  • Item(s) returned to us that were not a result of our error.

You should expect to receive your refund within four weeks of giving your package to the return shipper, however, in many cases you will receive a refund more quickly. This time period includes the transit time for us to receive your return from the shipper (5 to 10 business days), the time it takes us to process your return once we receive it (3 to 5 business days), and the time it takes your bank to process our refund request (5 to 10 business days).

If you need to return an item, please Contact Us with your order number and details about the product you would like to return. We will respond quickly with instructions for how to return items from your order.


Shipping Cost


We'll pay the return shipping costs if the return is a result of our error (you received an incorrect or defective item, etc.). In other cases, you will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable. If you receive a refund, the cost of return shipping will be deducted from your refund.

Depending on where you live, the time it may take for your exchanged product to reach you, may vary.

If you are shipping an item over $75, you should consider using a trackable shipping service or purchasing shipping insurance. We don’t guarantee that we will receive your returned item.

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