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Cover of Coming Attraction

Coming Attraction

Written by Fritz Leiber

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Science FictionBritishShort storiesNew York (N.Y.)Masks

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About this book

"Coming Attraction" by Fritz Leiber is a science fiction novella written in the early 1950s. Set in a dystopian future where societal norms have skewed dramatically due to the aftermath of World War III, the story explores themes of gender dynamics, identity, and the impacts of war on human relationships. The narrative delves into a world where women often wear masks as a form of fashion driven by fame, safety, and societal pressure, while men grapple with their roles in a shifting social landscape. The plot revolves around Wysten Turner, an Englishman in New York who saves a masked woman from a reckless car, leading him into a complex web of danger and intrigue. He becomes entangled with the frightened woman, who is surrounded by ruthless individuals involved in underground wrestling. As the story unfolds, Wysten learns of her fears concerning violent gangs and the wrestlers who degrade and prey upon women. The tension escalates when Wysten confronts these threats, raising questions about courage, vulnerability, and the perilous dance of attraction in a world where identities can be as deceptive as the masks people wear. Ultimately, Leiber crafts a thought-provoking tale that examines the darker elements of desire and societal pressures in a tumultuous setting.

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in Coming Attraction, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 3 hours
  • intermediate
  • dark
  • dystopian
  • tense

Fritz Leiber's "Coming Attraction" plunges readers into a grim, post-World War III dystopian New York, where societal norms have dramatically fractured, particularly concerning gender roles. The novella centers on Wysten Turner, an Englishman who inadvertently becomes entangled with a mysterious, masked woman after saving her from a reckless driver. This encounter pulls him into a perilous underworld dominated by violent gangs and brutal underground wrestling, which preys upon and degrades women. As Wysten navigates this dangerous landscape, he uncovers the woman's deep-seated fears and confronts the ruthless forces threatening her, forcing him to question courage, identity, and the darker facets of human desire in a world where appearances are often deceiving. Leiber crafts a thought-provoking tale that critically examines the profound impacts of war on human relationships and the desperate struggle for agency in a chaotic society.

“"The masks were everywhere, a second skin, a new face for a world that had forgotten its old one."”

Key themes

Gender Dynamics and Identity
This is perhaps the central theme, explored through the pervasive use of masks by women and the shifting roles of men. The masks symbolize both protection from a dangerous, predatory society and a form of objectification, stripping women of individual identity. Men, like Wysten, grapple with their roles, some becoming predators, others attempting to reclaim chivalry in a cynical world. Leiber critiques how societal breakdown can profoundly warp gender interactions.
The Impact of War on Society
The dystopian setting is explicitly a post-World War III world, directly attributing the societal decay, violence, and moral relativism to the aftermath of global conflict. Leiber suggests that war doesn't just destroy infrastructure but fundamentally fractures human relationships, institutions, and ethical frameworks, leading to a brutal 'might makes right' mentality.
Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
The masks are the most obvious manifestation of this theme, literally concealing identities and intentions. Beyond the physical masks, the story explores how people present themselves in a dangerous world, often feigning strength or indifference to survive. True motives and dangers are frequently hidden beneath a veneer of normalcy or fashion, making trust a perilous gamble.

Worth discussing

How do the masks in the story function as both a symbol of protection and a tool of oppression? Discuss their various meanings.

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