Transrealism in Literature

In 1983, mathematician and literary critic Rudy Rucker wrote A Transrealist Manifesto, describing his observations of a rising movement in science-fiction and realistic literature. The Transrealist movement, as coined by Rucker, was a blend of autobiographical and science-fiction genres applied to tell a more intensified story with deeper subtext. Transrealism is a versatile movement that was originally observed by Rucker in Philip K. Dick’s A Scanner Darkly. This novel, published in 1977, delves into a clearly science-fiction world while subtly pulling events directly from Dick’s real-life experiences.

Although Rudy Rucker’s identification of this literary movement predates the 21st century, Transrealism had not made its entrance in popular culture until the 2000s. While it may seem as though this combination of genres has always been present, it truly did not make waves until very recently. One continuity in the history of literature is the sharing of relatable yet fantastical stories. Ancient Greek and Roman myths, for example, are collections of fantasy tales that relate to readers and teach moral lessons. Although this popular method of storytelling is effective, it is not quite the practice of Transrealism. Instead, Transrealism focuses on real life inspiration and a rejection of

meticulously constructed archetypal characters and plots.

Transrealism has become a large stepping stone in the evolution of autobiographies. The movement allows a new and innovative way to reflect raw and unfiltered people, conflicts, and lifestyles without formulated character growth and climactic events. In addition, fantasy and science-fiction elements are compiled to elevate the story, providing more interest and substance while preserving the truth. With the literary tools Transrealism provides, authors are able to layer meanings and allow readers to draw more advanced conclusions to the lessons being shared.

Rucker questioned in his 2021 A Transrealist Manifesto, “what can anyone learn by reading about made-up people?”. As authors continue to join the Transrealism movement and build their stories with real characters, real conflicts, and real reactions, readers will better understand lessons and meanings. Transrealism plays a significant role in the ability to comprehend and understand an author’s purpose and point of view in one swift movement. I believe that with the growing presence of Transrealism, autobiographical pieces will rise to popularity over highly fictional literature. With an increased draw due to the fantasy and fictional elements as well as the elevated understanding of an author’s life, Transrealism will likely play a key role in reviving the popularity of the autobiographical genre.

Despite this movement’s growth in the 21st century, little has been researched about it. The main source of information regarding Transrealism is Rudy Rucker, the founder himself. In order to understand other perspectives of this movement, it would be beneficial to consult the authors of novels Rucker has claimed to be Transrealist. Margaret Atwood, Steven King, and Philip K. Dick are all popular science-fiction authors who have been labeled as key writers in this movement. By discussing the topic of Transrealism with these authors, we could understand how intentional this movement was. Also, literary critics could provide their own opinions on the movement.