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James Morrow

ジェイムズ・モロウ

Jeimuzu Morou

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1947-03-17 （Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States）
Nationality
United States
Languages
English

Career

Occupations
Novelist
Active Years
1981-
Influenced By
Kurt Vonnegut, Joseph Heller, Mark Twain, Ambrose Bierce, Oscar Wilde, Dante Alighieri

Awards

Nebula Award (Best Short Story)
1988
Work: Bible Stories for Adults, No. 17: The Deluge
Category: 短篇小説部門
Organization: Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA)
Result: Winner
Nebula Award (Best Novella/Novel)
1992
Work: City of Truth
Category: 中長篇小説部門
Organization: Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA)
Result: Winner
World Fantasy Award (Best Novel)
1995
Work: Towing Jehovah
Category: 長編
Organization: World Fantasy Convention / World Fantasy Awards
Result: Winner
Theodore Sturgeon Memorial Award
2010
Work: Shambling Towards Hiroshima
Organization: Theodore Sturgeon Memorial Award
Result: Winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Towing Jehovah

1994 Science fiction / Satire

A satirical novel imagining the literal death of God and the subsequent efforts to tow His corpse, exploring faith, theology and human folly.

religious satirefaith and doubtmoral questions

Blameless in Abaddon

1996 Science fiction / Fantasy

The second book of the Godhead trilogy, continuing a theologically charged and satirical exploration of divine and human themes.

myth and theologymoralitysatire

The Eternal Footman

1999 Science fiction / Satire

The concluding volume of the Godhead trilogy, an allegorical and satirical treatment of life, death, and belief.

mortalityreligionallegory

City of Truth

1990 Fantasy / Allegory

Set in a city where inhabitants can only speak the truth, the novel examines the nature of truth, lies, and personal freedom.

truth vs. falsehoodfreedom of expressionethics

Only Begotten Daughter

1990 Fantasy / Religious satire

A novel that borrows Christian motifs to satirically explore divinity and humanity.

religionidentitysatire

The Last Witchfinder

2006 Historical fiction / Fantasy

A historical novel set against witch trials and the Enlightenment, examining the conflict between science and superstition.

science vs superstitionhistorywomen's rights

Shambling Towards Hiroshima

2009 Novella / Historical fiction

A novella with allegorical elements concerning World War II and the atomic bombing; one of Morrow's notable later works.

warethicshistory

Bible Stories for Adults, No. 17: The Deluge

1988 Short story / Religious satire

A short story reinterpreting Biblical tales with irony and adult themes; this episode deals with Noah's Flood.

religious reinterpretationsatire

Bibliography

  • The Wine of Violence (1981)
  • The Adventures of Smoke Bailey (1983)
  • The Continent of Lies (1984)
  • This Is the Way the World Ends (1985)
  • Spelling God with the Wrong Blocks (1987) [short story]
  • Bible Stories for Adults, No. 17: The Deluge (1988) [short story]
  • Abe Lincoln in McDonald's (1989) [short story]
  • Only Begotten Daughter (1990)
  • City of Truth (1990)
  • Swatting at the Cosmos (1990) [collection]
  • Nebula Awards 26 (1992) [editor/anthology contributor]
  • Towing Jehovah (1994)
  • Blameless in Abaddon (1996)
  • Bible Stories for Adults (1996) [collection]
  • The Eternal Footman (1999)
  • The Cat's Pajamas (2004) [collection]
  • The Last Witchfinder (2006)
  • The Philosopher's Apprentice (2008)
  • Shambling Towards Hiroshima (2009)
  • The SFWA European Hall of Fame (co-editor, 2007)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
satiricalallegoricaldark humor
Recurring Motifs
reinterpretation of religion and theologymoral dilemmashistorical and cultural satire

Legacy

James Morrow is known for blending religious themes and satire within science fiction. He has received major genre awards including Nebula and World Fantasy, and is recognized for his humanist and satirical approach.

Trivia

  • Born in Philadelphia in 1947.
  • Best known for the Godhead trilogy (including Towing Jehovah).
  • Winner of Nebula Awards, the World Fantasy Award, and the Theodore Sturgeon Memorial Award.