Sci Fi writers
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Topic: Sci Fi writers
Posted By: el böthy
Subject: Sci Fi writers
Date Posted: March 11 2011 at 11:25
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Geekiest poll ever? ...maybe! I´m not an expert on the genre, at least not the literary one (for I know quite a bit about sci fi movies), and I´m fairly new to it, but I´m becoming a huge fan. So far my favorites are Clark and Adams. What about you? Oh, and please do discuss ------------- "You want me to play what, Robert?" 
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Replies:
Posted By: Dean
Date Posted: March 11 2011 at 11:47
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Currently smitten by Iain M Banks, though the space opera's of Peter F. Hamilton are equally as enjoyable. (Then I've found most of the authors listed enjoyable in some way over the years). Michael Marshall Smith is also a good read, though he's only written 4 SciFi books so far, and the Fall Revolution Series by Ken MacLeod is worth a squint.
------------- What? |
Posted By: KoS
Date Posted: March 11 2011 at 11:49
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God. I had to make that joke.
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Posted By: Snow Dog
Date Posted: March 11 2011 at 11:50
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Some good SF writers here. I like alot of them but Asimov, Clarke and Card I probably favour. ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Snow_Dog" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: Lozlan
Date Posted: March 11 2011 at 11:51
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Douglas Adams is my god.
------------- Certified Obscure Prog Fart. http://scottjcouturier.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow - The Loose Palace of Exile - My first novel, The Mask of Tamrel, now available on Amazon and Kindle |
Posted By: lazland
Date Posted: March 11 2011 at 11:59
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Herbert always will be my favourite. ------------- Enhance your life. Get down to www.lazland.org Now also broadcasting on www.progzilla.com Every Saturday, 4.00 p.m. UK time! |
Posted By: Moogtron III
Date Posted: March 11 2011 at 12:06
| I think Jack Vance is very good. |
Posted By: manofmystery
Date Posted: March 11 2011 at 12:29
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I'm going with the originator of the genre, Jules Verne. Grew up reading his work but then, who didn't? -------------  Time always wins. |
Posted By: Kotro
Date Posted: March 11 2011 at 12:43
Hardly the "originator", but a damn good author nevertheless. Absent from the poll is Clifford D. Simak, whom I enjoy quite a bit.
------------- Bigger on the inside. |
manofmystery wrote:Posted By: clarke2001
Date Posted: March 11 2011 at 12:47
It's not Clark, it's Clarke, damn!!!  Too many good writers here. And too many not mentioned. I'll give my vote to Frederik Pohl this time (for 'Gateway' but also for brilliant and not-so-well know 'Man Plus') . Although I would vote differently tomorrow. Honorary mention to always fascinating Heinlein and Silverberg. I'm glad to see Harlan Ellison and Harry Harrison, Williamson and Jose Farmer on the list!  Although Ellison is in poll twice.I'm disappointed there's no Stanislaw Lem!! And William Gibson and Frederic Brown (  ) and Lester del Rey and Walter M Miller Jr. and Somtow Suchartikul and John Varley () and...damn, where are Europeans? Wyndham, Tevis, Strugatsky brothers, Olaf Stapledon, Alain Doremieux, Roberto Vacca, where are female writers (LeGuin, Octavia Butler, Olga Larionova)...and...SF is GREATEST THING EVER!
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Posted By: clarke2001
Date Posted: March 11 2011 at 13:00
Oh Simak...'Way Station' is great...and, I ashamed to say, 'City' is still on my wishlist. Speaking of Verne, I'm angry like hell...in this crappy country, 'Paris in the 20th Century' is not yet translated.  ------------- |
Posted By: el böthy
Date Posted: March 11 2011 at 17:15
Ups, didn´t notice. I just changed it with Stanislaw Lem. By the way, today I bought the first book of Gene Wolf´s The book of the long sun. Look´s like a good reading. ------------- "You want me to play what, Robert?"
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Posted By: Formentera Lady
Date Posted: March 11 2011 at 17:27
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voted other: Karel Capek. This czech author wrote in many genres, but most notable are his hilarious dystopian novels and plays, among them: - R.U.R. : the first time that the word 'robot' is used for an artificial person. It's about the conflict between human beings and the so-called robots. - The Absolute at Large (better translated as: The Factory of Absolute): a machine converts matter into energy, and sets free as a by-product the so-called absolute, which is a kind of spiritual essence. This 'absolute' in the air causes a sudden outburst of spiritual power in the humans, which eventually leads to a catastrophe. - Krakatit: a scientist, who invents an enormous explosive, gets into a conflict, because his invention can be used peacefully for power plants, or for weapons - War with the Newts: another intelligent civilization is discovered on earth, the newts. They are technically not so far developed than the humans. How will the human society react to them? It ends in a total disaster. (Oh, I just noticed, you did not include any of the dystopian authors (Orwell, Huxley, Zamjatin, etc.), so probably this is nothing for you and you can forget my post.  But on the other hand, if you like Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451, it is not too far fetched to suggest these. ) |
Posted By: TheClosing
Date Posted: March 11 2011 at 17:58
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William Gibson should probably be on there ... I voted for K. Dick; although I consider Bradbury and plenty of others better writers, no one touches Philip on his electrifying vision for what's to come.
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Posted By: SaltyJon
Date Posted: March 11 2011 at 19:19
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So many authors here I like, plus some missing that are maybe only borderline sci-fi...Jonathan Lethem (if nothing else, his novels "Gun, With Occasional Music" and "Amnesia Moon" are SF, Nick Harkaway (Gone Away World is his only novel that I know of, it's post-apoc. SF with humor and a good story overall, Alfred Bester (The Stars My Destination and the Demolished Man are both great, essential IMO). Then my favorites from the list...P.K. Dick, Douglas Adams, Frank Herbert, Ray Bradbury, Harlan Ellison, Clarke, Heinlein, and all the other great ones. I'm really torn here between PKD and Douglas Adams...I've been reading more of Dick's novels lately, but all five books of the original Hitchhiker's Guide trilogy are among my favorites and the Dirk Gently novels aren't far behind (plus I enjoyed Last Chance to See). I guess based on that Douglas Adams will get my vote. I've started an Iain M. Banks book recently as well (The Algebraist), it's been pretty enjoyable thus far. ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Salty_Jon" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: The Quiet One
Date Posted: March 11 2011 at 19:57
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I haven't read much from the genre, and actually none "pure sci-fi", mainly I've read dystopias.
I'll just suggest you J.G. Ballard and his short stories, incredible.
I've been wanting to get Wells' Shape of Things to Come, seems the kind of "sci-fi" I'm more fond of.
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Posted By: Triceratopsoil
Date Posted: March 11 2011 at 21:03
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Besides the obvious Adams, I voted other for Larry Niven Runner-up Heinlein |
Posted By: el böthy
Date Posted: March 12 2011 at 11:05
Damn, I´m stupid as f**k! I love Orwell, 1984 is one of my favorite books, why did I leave him out of this poll?!?!?! Well, there is always the "other" option------------- "You want me to play what, Robert?"
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Posted By: el böthy
Date Posted: March 12 2011 at 11:12
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Please do talk about your favorite books about the authors you chose. Of course when it comes to Adams The hitchhickers guide to the galaxy is unquestionably my favorite. It´s just hilarious. As for Arthur C Clarke, 2001 is incredible, BUT I would say the film is far better than the book, but what´s great about it is that they do have their different take on some things without being too far apart. ------------- "You want me to play what, Robert?"
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Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: March 12 2011 at 11:15
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Off the list, Kurt Vonnegut for his sci-fi. On the list, Dick and Lem. I also want to mention Margaret Atwoot for Oryx and Crake and its sequel, The Year of the Flood. Along with the more powerful, and fave recent book I've read, the Road by Cormac McCarthy (gave me nightmares though), those are particular fave modern books. I was obsessed with Philip K. Dick. particular faves of mine are Ubik and Dr. Bloodmoney. |
Posted By: Vibrationbaby
Date Posted: March 12 2011 at 11:20
Whoops, I screwed up the poll. I selected Douglas Adams as " other " I'm currently re-reading the two Dirk Gently novels. Hilariously cool  ------------- |
Posted By: The Quiet One
Date Posted: March 12 2011 at 11:58
Well, you probably left Orwell out because he's not a sci-fi author.
 But since now I know you liked 1984, do get a collection of short stories by J.G. Ballard. I've read 'Bilenio' and it's freaking fantastic, though you can only find that in used stores.
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Posted By: NecronCommander
Date Posted: March 12 2011 at 13:01
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Some fantastic authors on this list. Douglas Adams gets my vote, though his style is pretty far removed from most of these authors, I am just in love with his works. Hitchhiker's Guide has to be my favorite book series ever written. But that was tough choosing over people like Orson Scott Card, Asimov, Philip K. Dick, Frank Herbert, Robert A. Heinlein, Wells, Verne... all authors I have read multiple works of and thoroughly enjoyed. -------------  
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Posted By: Moogtron III
Date Posted: March 12 2011 at 14:14
| I still have to try out Douglas Adams. Not long ago I read an article in my newspaper about his HGTTG, which sounded like I was really missing something. It's top of my list now of books-to-read. |
Posted By: SaltyJon
Date Posted: March 12 2011 at 20:44
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Check this out if you've got time...interesting "map" someone made of the history of sci-fi: http://scimaps.org/submissions/7-digital_libraries/maps/thumbs/024_LG.jpg" rel="nofollow - http://scimaps.org/submissions/7-digital_libraries/maps/thumbs/024_LG.jpg Warning: the image is rather big; 4400x2364 big. ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Salty_Jon" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: russellk
Date Posted: March 12 2011 at 22:14
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Interesting list! I hate to do it, but might I just point out a couple of things. First, the dearth of female writers in the list. Lois McMaster Bujold, for example, shares with Heinlein the honour of winning four Hugo awards. Julian May's 'Saga of the Exiles/Galactic Milieu' dual series was one of the greatest stories of the 1980s. Mary Doria Russell's 'The Sparrow' is the best anthropological discourse in SF I've ever read. Margaret Atwood, despite her claims she doesn't write SF, is consistently brilliant, as is Doris Lessing. Then there are 'softer' scifi writers like McCaffrey and Norton. And second, the relative absence of contemporary writers. Of this list probably only Banks is still writing, let alone at the top of his game. One could suggest William Gibson, Chariie Stross, Alastair Reynolds, Cory Doctorow, Elizabeth Moon, Peter Hamilton, C.J. Cherryh, Connie Willis, Sherri S. Tepper and Joan D. Vinge. I've met many of these authors, have been on panels with some of them, and treasure their life and works. This is all without getting into fantasy writers, whom some consider part of sf and others hate with a passion. As much as I grew up with the Asimovs, 'Doc' Smiths and Clarkes, in my view modern writers have built on this excellent foundation and are producing superb work. I'd encourage you to try some! |
Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: March 12 2011 at 22:20
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I have read one Sci-Fi book by Hamilton, first part of the Greg Mandel trilogie, Mindstar Rising and I enjoyd it, but im still a Sci-Fi noooob, more a fantasy buff,
I have yet to read you books Russelk, but they are on the very top of my reading list  -------------  
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Posted By: AtomicCrimsonRush
Date Posted: March 12 2011 at 22:25
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One guess...
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Posted By: russellk
Date Posted: March 12 2011 at 22:29
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Hi Aginor! If you're going to read one of mine, start with the one in my avatar. Hamilton's best stuff comes after the Mandel future detective stuff. His sprawling scifi/horror Nights Dawn trilogy is superb (though could have done with an edit, and has a bit of a deus ex machina ending) and the Commonwealth Saga that followed it was even better. His Void trilogy disappointed me, I'll admit. |
Posted By: ExittheLemming
Date Posted: March 12 2011 at 22:33
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Can't say I'm a great lover of the genre but Iain M. Banks has written some quality stuff.
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Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: March 12 2011 at 22:38
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ok I will
and im an evil Forsaken btw, be awere my mighty and wicked Trollocs, i made em...
I like Aginor becouse he is underrated and REALLY strong in the one power only an inch lower then Lews Therin/Rand al'Thor and Ishamael, on the same level as Demandred. -------------
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Posted By: russellk
Date Posted: March 12 2011 at 22:39
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Oh yes Aginor, I know who you are. And on that note, Sanderson has really done a great job! Dare I say it, far better than Jordan... |
Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: March 12 2011 at 22:47
I agree, he is good he have brought back some life into the story, but I still mourn Roberts passing  , he made me appreciate epic fantasy (outside Tolkien), made me an avvid reader of complex storys and he's carachters are woven into me, I love other writers as well and I also can side with those who critisise (i can see the arguments) but still, I can't help but love his universe and charcaters (they have a soul so ta speak).
Rand, Mat and Perrin are all part of me somehow, I have much of Perrin, I want more of Mat, and I wont some Saidin (without taint) to spice up life...  -------------
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Posted By: VanderGraafKommandöh
Date Posted: March 12 2011 at 23:20
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H.G. Wells. I cannot believe there's no love for him here. He was a genius with the genre. A pioneer too (even if Verne was earlier) and ahead of his time. I prefer his style of SF to most others. I'm not into Space Opera SF or really much SF set in Space or on other planets (there are exceptions, of course). I much prefer Earth-based SF with intelligent stories. I also like post-apocalyptic which for some reason never seem to be lumped in as SF. I love Vonnegut too but he's not pure SF as such. -------------   
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Posted By: Apsalar
Date Posted: March 13 2011 at 01:01
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Off the list, LEM by a long way. Read/own nearly everything that's been translated into English. I tend to like stuff with a psychological slant, hence you could add, Samuel R. Delany to my list, who seems to sh*t some people off. Something like Babel-17 an interesting enough look into the power of language. Also some of Ursula K. Le Guin's more sobering 'n' serious works; some of Hainish Cycle works are coming to mind. Gene Wolfe's been a recent-ish read, interesting use of experimental structure, written in an un-sci-fi, manner and for most parts skirts 'round the cliches which dissuade me from reading more from the genre. |
Posted By: russellk
Date Posted: March 13 2011 at 01:51
| And presumably Steven Erikson, given your avatar :) |
Posted By: Apsalar
Date Posted: March 13 2011 at 03:01
| Username? And yes, the series has a nostalgic hold over my adolescence years, especially that particular character who I saw eye to eye with. |
Posted By: The Dark Elf
Date Posted: March 13 2011 at 08:43
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I like the political aspects of Herbert's Dune. Very Machiavellian. ------------- ...a vigorous circular motion hitherto unknown to the people of this area, but destined to take the place of the mud shark in your mythology... |
Posted By: tupan
Date Posted: March 13 2011 at 09:10
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I can't bellieve there's only one vote to Philip k. Dick, the greatest of all time! And where is William Gibson? Bruce Sterling? And Kurt Vonnegut? Solaris, form Lem, is great, and Childhood End form Clarke is one of the best books I ever read. Ray Bradbury and Robert Heinlein are masters too. ------------- "Prog is Not Dead and never has been." (Will Sergeant, from Echo And The Bunnymen) |
Posted By: el böthy
Date Posted: March 13 2011 at 11:39
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I must say I do not share the general love there seems to be around Bradbury. Aside from Fahrenheit I find him simplistic and a bit superficial, specially The Illustrated Man. Some of The Martian Cronicles stories are excellent, but others are just plain forgettable.
------------- "You want me to play what, Robert?"
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Posted By: TheClosing
Date Posted: March 13 2011 at 12:26
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Erm, Something Wicked This Way Comes?
Edit: My bad ... I just woke up.
Nevertheless, SWTWC is hardly forgettable and I still vividly remember "The Halloween Tree" from childhood. Everyone's entitled to their opinion though. |
Posted By: Dean
Date Posted: March 13 2011 at 12:28
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^ he said "aside from Fahrenheit" ------------- What? |
Posted By: Formentera Lady
Date Posted: March 13 2011 at 14:20
Thanks for this amazing map! I like it!  |
Posted By: Formentera Lady
Date Posted: March 13 2011 at 14:29
As far as I know, the film 2001 (which happens to be one of my favourite films of all time) is inspired by a short story called The Sentinel, which only has a certain theme in common. The book 2001 was written after the film. |
Posted By: Dean
Date Posted: March 13 2011 at 14:36
------------- What? |
Posted By: Adams Bolero
Date Posted: March 13 2011 at 14:40
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I'm surprised Michael Moorcock didn't make the list. ''The Dancers at the End of Time'' is probably my favourite Sci Fi series of books and not to mention the fact that he worked with Hawkwind on ''Warrior on the Edge of Time'' which is my favourite album of theirs. ------------- ''Nobody realizes that some people expend tremendous energy merely to be normal.'' - Albert Camus |
Posted By: VanderGraafKommandöh
Date Posted: March 13 2011 at 15:28
It's pretty comprehensive. Although I never really thought Connie Willis was Cyperpunk. I've read one of her novels and it's much more akin to time-travel. She uses this element in a few of her novels/short fiction. Also, there's no sign of one of my favourite Speculative Fiction authors Jeffrey Ford (unless I missed it). -------------
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Posted By: MasoTMN
Date Posted: March 13 2011 at 15:28
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For me, beyond the shadow of a doubt, Gene Wolfe!! ------------- TMN - Too Many Notes, stream the whole album for free on Soundclick http://www.soundclick.com/tmntoomanynotes" rel="nofollow - http://www.soundclick.com/tmntoomanynotes http://www.facebook.com/tmnproject |
Posted By: el böthy
Date Posted: March 14 2011 at 09:35
Again, the ending of the movie is far superior in it´s ambiguos way of revealing what happens with Bowman. It might be less clear what it all means, but that´s pretty much the beauty of 2001, at least the movie. But then again, 2001 is far superior than most things in this life. It is my favorite movie  ------------- "You want me to play what, Robert?"
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Posted By: el böthy
Date Posted: March 14 2011 at 09:37
Beyond the shadow of the torturer. HA HA HA HA HA ...geek jokes...  ------------- "You want me to play what, Robert?"
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Posted By: Snow Dog
Date Posted: March 14 2011 at 09:54
Clarke wrote the novelisation based on the screenplay and not the film. I believe it came out before the film. This is why in the book the mission is to Saturn and not Jupiter as in the film. It was changed to Jupiter at a later stage I think due to technical reasons. ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Snow_Dog" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: The_Jester
Date Posted: March 14 2011 at 17:14
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I'm the one who started Isaac Asimov appreciation thread so... ------------- La victoire est éphémère mais la gloire est éternelle! - Napoléon Bonaparte |
Posted By: zachfive
Date Posted: March 14 2011 at 21:30
| Other. Ben Bova is my favorite writer of the sci-fi genre. The Dueling Machine is a particular favorite of mine. |
Posted By: MasoTMN
Date Posted: March 14 2011 at 21:40
=D I take it you've been to the Matachin Tower too? ------------- TMN - Too Many Notes, stream the whole album for free on Soundclick http://www.soundclick.com/tmntoomanynotes" rel="nofollow - http://www.soundclick.com/tmntoomanynotes http://www.facebook.com/tmnproject |