Dangerous creations. The inventor novel in fin-de siècle France

Ana Oancea examines the inventor novel in fin-de-siècle France through the works of Jules Verne, Albert Robida, Émile Zola and Villiers de l’Isle-Adam. She demonstrates how these narratives explore the cultural and political implications of scientific progress in late nineteenth-century France, presenting the inventor as a figure who embodies both the promises and uncertainties of technological innovation. These works reveal the complex relationship between independent inventors and established scientific institutions, reflecting contemporary fascinations and anxieties about technological change.

By tracing similar themes in modern films, television series, and video games, Oancea reveals striking parallels between nineteenth-century concerns and contemporary cultural representations of science and technology. The book provides a nuanced analysis of this literary tradition and its enduring relevance to ongoing debates about scientific progress.