been noted: According to Grewell, whose definition of science fiction focuses on the struggle between supposedly superior and inferior life forms, "part of the tale that qualifies it as science fiction, rather than as fantasy or imaginative fiction, involves Lucian and his seamen in a battle for territorial and colonization rights." The typical science fiction themes and topoi that appear in True Stories are: travel to outer space encounter with alien life-forms, including the experience of a first contact event interplanetary warfare and imperialism colonization of planets artificial atmosphere liquid air motif of giganticism creatures as products of human technology (robot theme) worlds working by a set of alternate 'physical' laws explicit desire of the protagonist for exploration and adventure A middle position seems to be taken up by critic Kingsley Amis, who acknowledged the science fiction and satirical character of True Stories at the same time: Modern equivalents, combining science fiction and parody in equal measure, may be found in Voltaire's Micromégas and the works of Douglas Adams. See also History of science fiction Moon in science fiction Meropis The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, a 1988 film by Terry Gilliam with various plot similarities. References Bibliography . Further reading External links A True History at sacred-texts.com Loeb Classical Library, vol. 3/8 of Lucian's works , with facing Greek text, at ancientlibrary.com Lucian of Samosata Project – Articles, timeline, maps, library, and themes The book at Project Gutenberg 2nd-century novels Ancient Greek novels Novels set on the Moon Satirical works Science fiction novels Fiction about the Sun Novels set on Venus Works by Lucian Novels set on fictional islands