Worldcon and Social Commentary in Hugo-Award-Winning Works

Worldcon program covers through the years, paired with social commentary from Hugo-award-winning material from the same time period. 

(The Hugo Award is an annual literary award for the best science fiction and fantasy works, and is widely considered the premier award in science fiction. It is given at the World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon) and chosen by its members.)

  • The Hugos and Worldcon<br /> The Hugo Award is an annual literary award for the best science fiction and fantasy works, and is widely considered the premier award in science fiction. It is given at the World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon) and chosen by its members.<br /> Named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science-fiction magazine Amazing Stories, the Hugos were first given in 1953, and have been awarded every year since 1955. <br /> The Hugos were conceived as a one-off event, though organizers hoped that subsequent conventions would also present them. The 1954 Worldcon chose not to, but the Hugos were reinstated at the 1955 Worldcon and thereafter became traditional. <br /> The awards have expanded from seven to 17 categories of written and dramatic works over the years. <br /> Who can nominate and vote, and in what categories? The final ballot is open to all current Worldcon members. While the most famous categories are “Best Novel” and “Best Dramatic Presentation”, there are many other Hugo Awards—including some for short fiction, artists, editors and “fannish activities” (work done for the love of it, that is frequently far from amateurish).<br /> Previous nominees and winners you might have heard of include Dune (1964, 1966), Starship Troopers (1960), Cat's Cradle (1964), Slaughterhouse Five (1970), Left Hand of Darkness (1970), Neuromancer (1985), Ender’s Game (1986) and The Three-Body Problem (2015). <br /> <br /> <br /> Lehigh Libraries’ Science-Fiction Titles: Lehigh is home to an extensive science-fiction collection, spanning more than 1,600 titles. Scan the code to browse Lehigh Libraries’ science-fiction collection.
  • 1977 Worldcon program featuring artwork by Linda Miller<br /> Social Commentary: The Hugo Awards: <br /> Best Novelette winner in 1977, The Bicentennial Man, by Isaac Asimov, explores themes of prejudice, mortality, and what makes us human.<br /> <br /> Link to material in Lehigh Libraries, if available: <br /> Scan the code to access Lehigh Libraries’ 1976 edition of The Bicentennial Man and Other Stories.
  • 1986 Worldcon program featuring artwork by Doug Chaffee<br /> Social Commentary: The Hugo Awards: <br /> Best Novel winner in 1986, Ender’s Game, by Orson Scott Card, features commentary on themes including the nature of power and the relationship between children and adults, and explores how societal structures can lead to manipulation and conflict.<br /> While a modern classic of the genre, Card has made several homophobic statements and been the subject of intense fan criticism.
  • 2004 Worldcon program featuring artwork by Bob Eggleton<br /> Social Commentary: The Hugo Awards: <br /> The War of the Worlds (1953) won a Retrospective Hugo for Best Dramatic Presentation: Short Form in 2004. <br /> The film is based on H. G. Wells’ 1898 novel, which reflected Wells’ contemporary context—where European powers were exerting dominance over other nations and cultures.<br /> <br /> Link to material in Lehigh Libraries, if available: <br /> A first edition of The War of the Worlds is held by Special Collections and on exhibit in Linderman Library. Scan the code to learn more.
  • 2011 Worldcon program featuring artwork by Boris Vallejo<br /> Social Commentary: The Hugo Awards: <br /> Best Dramatic Presentation winner in 2011, Inception, by Christopher Nolan, revolves around the dangers of manipulating people’s thoughts and perceptions, particularly through powerful media and immersive experiences.<br /> <br /> Link to material in Lehigh Libraries, if available: <br /> Scan the code to access Lehigh Libraries’ titles related to Inception.
  • 2016 Worldcon program featuring artwork by Kinuko Craft<br /> Social Commentary: The Hugo Awards: <br /> Best Novel winner in 2016, N. K. Jemisin’s The Fifth Season is the first book in the Broken Earth Trilogy that explores themes of colonialism, racial oppression, and societal resilience through a fantastical world. <br /> <br /> Link to material in Lehigh Libraries, if available: <br /> All three entries in N.K. Jemisin’s Broken Earth Trilogy are available as physical and ebook copies through Lehigh Libraries. Scan the code to learn more.
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