Comments on: Introductory Science Fiction Books for Literary Readers http://www.davidlouisedelman.com/science-fiction/intro-literary-sf/ Science Fiction Novelist, Blogger, Web Programmer Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:51:05 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Thegoodman http://www.davidlouisedelman.com/science-fiction/intro-literary-sf/comment-page-3/#comment-4779 Thegoodman Wed, 16 Dec 2009 17:48:19 +0000 http://www.davidlouisedelman.com/?p=228#comment-4779 I have read no mention of <i>The Moon is a Harsh Mistress</i> by Heinlein, I think it is a terrific book and none of the ideas/situations are outlandish enough to scare off any non-scifi fans and the material is mature enough to satisfy most adult readers. I agree that <i>Starship Troopers</i> and <i>Stranger in a Strange Land</i> might scare off beginners. If you do happen to step into the Fantasy world with this discussion, I think that <i>The Dark Tower</i> and <i>A Song of Ice and Fire</i> are worth mentioning. I have read no mention of The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Heinlein, I think it is a terrific book and none of the ideas/situations are outlandish enough to scare off any non-scifi fans and the material is mature enough to satisfy most adult readers.

I agree that Starship Troopers and Stranger in a Strange Land might scare off beginners.

If you do happen to step into the Fantasy world with this discussion, I think that The Dark Tower and A Song of Ice and Fire are worth mentioning.

]]> By: David Haynes http://www.davidlouisedelman.com/science-fiction/intro-literary-sf/comment-page-3/#comment-4634 David Haynes Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:41:08 +0000 http://www.davidlouisedelman.com/?p=228#comment-4634 Thanks for setting this up, David. I've just recently seen it and hope I'm not coming on board too late for adding my dimes' worth. As a complete book addict I read it all. All genres, fiction and non. The only requirement is a certain level of quality which ends up omitting a great many of the books I glance over in the new-and-useds. Of course we all have a few pet interests. That sweet tooth that makes us tolerate a particular 2nd or even 3rd rate candy on occasion, like historical Rome fiction, short stories dealing with time travel. I did a Phd program in Mod Eng Lit(Pound/Joyce) and have a preference for old masters and modern. Current reading for me is Anthony Trollope's 6 volume PALLISER series. I find today's fascinating hard science has greatly displaced my youthful obsession with science fiction and yet I still love the genre and would never think of giving up or failing to re-read on occasion the old masters of Sci-Fi: Wells and Stapledon. And though I've greatly enjoyed the work of Clarke, Bradberry and LeGuin, though I've generally found Heinlein and Asimov etc. clumsy and heavy handed. I am always hoping to find a scifi masterpiece and plan to check out several that were new to me from your list (Wilson and McDonald) I absolutely love Stan Lem's work .No one mentioned his RETURN FROM THE STARS which has to be one of the very best treatments of the subject. And I still think Walter Tevis' MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH is subtantial literature, not to mention a great read. Many other sci-fi favorites of mine are short stories and novellas. David Hartwell's THE SCI FI CENTURY is an excellent collection for all readers. But a "great read," being our real concern here, is really a matter of personal taste. De gustibus non disbutandum. The comparison of "great lit" and SciFi and being defensive about that reminds me of late 19th cent debate over photography and painting. Art has little to do with genre and most of the work produced in any genre falls short of great art despite the over use of the words "genius" and "brilliant" by many who wouldn't really recognize either. Great writing ,for instance, is not simply a matter of esoteric vocabulary, "flowery" language or obscure plot for it's own sake. e.g. Gene Wolf or Jack Vance. Ever seen Johnathan Winters do fake Shakespeare? Fine literature can be difficult for the reader but it's always worth the work. The difference bewteen the substantial creation and the light-weight is the "weight" that the reader learns to perceive or fails to find in an author's work. For example it is the huge creation of a complete world,history, and language that the Lord Of The Rings stands so solidly upon and which the reader senses beneath Tolkein's writing. His words are charged with meaning. It is the lack of this "weight" in 95% of the genre of fantasy that makes reading it impossible for me. No suspension of disbelief is possible when the work is so clearly derivative and two dimensional. Thanks for setting this up, David. I’ve just recently seen it and hope I’m not coming on board too late for adding my dimes’ worth. As a complete book addict I read it all. All genres, fiction and non. The only requirement is a certain level of quality which ends up omitting a great many of the books I glance over in the new-and-useds. Of course we all have a few pet interests. That sweet tooth that
makes us tolerate a particular 2nd or even 3rd rate candy on occasion, like historical Rome fiction, short stories dealing with time travel. I did a Phd program in Mod Eng Lit(Pound/Joyce) and have a preference for old masters and modern. Current reading for me is Anthony Trollope’s 6 volume PALLISER series. I find today’s fascinating hard science has greatly displaced my youthful obsession with science fiction and yet I still love the genre and would never think of giving up or failing to re-read on occasion the old masters of Sci-Fi: Wells and Stapledon. And though I’ve greatly enjoyed the work of Clarke, Bradberry and LeGuin, though I’ve generally found Heinlein and Asimov etc. clumsy and heavy handed. I am always hoping to find a scifi masterpiece and plan to check out several that were new to me from your list (Wilson and McDonald)
I absolutely love Stan Lem’s work .No one mentioned his RETURN FROM THE STARS which has to be one of the very best treatments of the subject. And I still think Walter Tevis’ MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH is subtantial literature, not to mention a great read. Many other sci-fi favorites of mine are short stories and novellas. David Hartwell’s THE SCI FI CENTURY is an excellent collection for all readers. But a “great read,” being our real concern here, is really a matter of personal taste. De gustibus non disbutandum. The comparison of “great lit”
and SciFi and being defensive about that reminds me of late 19th cent debate over photography and painting. Art has little to do with genre and most of the work produced in any genre falls short of great art despite the over use of the words “genius” and “brilliant” by many who wouldn’t really recognize either. Great writing ,for instance, is not simply a matter of esoteric vocabulary, “flowery” language or obscure plot for it’s own sake. e.g. Gene Wolf or Jack Vance. Ever seen Johnathan Winters do fake Shakespeare? Fine literature can be
difficult for the reader but it’s always worth the work. The difference bewteen the substantial creation and the light-weight is the “weight” that the reader learns to perceive or fails to find in an author’s work. For example it is the huge creation of a complete world,history, and language that the Lord Of The Rings stands so solidly upon and which the reader senses beneath Tolkein’s writing. His words are charged with meaning. It is the lack of this “weight” in 95% of the genre of fantasy that makes reading it impossible for me. No suspension of disbelief is possible when the work is so clearly derivative and two dimensional.

]]> By: Mike Wilson http://www.davidlouisedelman.com/science-fiction/intro-literary-sf/comment-page-3/#comment-4487 Mike Wilson Mon, 09 Mar 2009 01:04:51 +0000 http://www.davidlouisedelman.com/?p=228#comment-4487 What a great list this is. I second the Robert Charles Wilson "Spin" recommendation above all. What a great list this is. I second the Robert Charles Wilson “Spin” recommendation above all.

]]> By: Kenneth E. Ingle http://www.davidlouisedelman.com/science-fiction/intro-literary-sf/comment-page-3/#comment-4430 Kenneth E. Ingle Sun, 25 Jan 2009 21:38:01 +0000 http://www.davidlouisedelman.com/?p=228#comment-4430 Take a look at SARAGOSA PRIME. Kenneth Ingle Author Take a look at SARAGOSA PRIME.
Kenneth Ingle Author

]]> By: Rick Klaw http://www.davidlouisedelman.com/science-fiction/intro-literary-sf/comment-page-3/#comment-3566 Rick Klaw Sat, 14 Jun 2008 13:52:18 +0000 http://www.davidlouisedelman.com/?p=228#comment-3566 I dedicated a "Geeks With Books" <a href="http://www.sfsite.com/columns/geeks127.htm" rel="nofollow">column</a> complete with a book list to this very subject. I dedicated a “Geeks With Books” column complete with a book list to this very subject.

]]> By: A. C. Ellis http://www.davidlouisedelman.com/science-fiction/intro-literary-sf/comment-page-3/#comment-2137 A. C. Ellis Sat, 12 Apr 2008 20:05:41 +0000 http://www.davidlouisedelman.com/?p=228#comment-2137 What a great list! I have read every one of them. A. C. Ellis Science Fiction and Mystery/Suspense http://www.acellis.net a.ellis@att.net Send an e-mail with "newsletter" in the Subject line and receive a FREE newsletter What a great list! I have read every one of them.

A. C. Ellis
Science Fiction and Mystery/Suspense
http://www.acellis.net
a.ellis@att.net
Send an e-mail with “newsletter” in the Subject line and receive a FREE newsletter

]]> By: Jakob http://www.davidlouisedelman.com/science-fiction/intro-literary-sf/comment-page-3/#comment-1068 Jakob Sun, 17 Feb 2008 00:51:41 +0000 http://www.davidlouisedelman.com/?p=228#comment-1068 What not to list: Ilium and its sequel Olympos by Simmons, he's not just political, he's judgmental and islamophobic - something that shocked me and made me extremely disappointed seeing as he was one of my favorite writers up until that point. Apart from that, there's not much science in Olympos, but in Hyperion, Simmons balanced that with great narrative. Olympos goes from being decent to really shitty for many reasons. Plot and story arcs that make no sense, and below it all, a view of Islam that would even make the worst religious zealots look uncomfortable, a view that I believed was long ago buried and forgotten in the minds of rational intelligent beings. The kind of view that makes countries go to war, over and over again. What to list: Hyperion, The Fall of Hyperion, Endymion, The Rise of Endymion by Simmons. At least Hyperion because it's such a wonderful book. An imaginative fantastic journey. Many stories in one, all beautifully interwoven. Simmons' magnus opus, or magnus cantos even! :) Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson. It balances Heinlein with its political stance and it also has an environmental thrust, a macro scale epic story about terraforming, politics and also quite near future. Mimsy Were the Borogoves by Lewis Padgett - science fiction doesn't need space ships to work! This short story delivers essential SF with small means and a very non-speculative setting. A movie is being made. Flowers for Algernon - I read it when I was fourteen and it moved me. It's still one of the best pieces of SF writing I know. Maybes: Pushing Ice by Alastair Reynolds - maybe not his best but it never lets down the pace. Might be a bit too much space and technology to some people. Tau Zero - by Poul Anderson... this is one of the best SF novels I've ever read. It's hard science fiction but it's also deeply philosophical and manages to deliver a lot of SFish ideas through very few pages. Solaris by Stanislaw Lem. Also philosophical but in a very psychological way. A must-read for any serious SF fan. I've given this book to friends and they've loved it. What not to list:
Ilium and its sequel Olympos by Simmons, he’s not just political, he’s judgmental and islamophobic – something that shocked me and made me extremely disappointed seeing as he was one of my favorite writers up until that point. Apart from that, there’s not much science in Olympos, but in Hyperion, Simmons balanced that with great narrative. Olympos goes from being decent to really shitty for many reasons. Plot and story arcs that make no sense, and below it all, a view of Islam that would even make the worst religious zealots look uncomfortable, a view that I believed was long ago buried and forgotten in the minds of rational intelligent beings. The kind of view that makes countries go to war, over and over again.

What to list:
Hyperion, The Fall of Hyperion, Endymion, The Rise of Endymion by Simmons. At least Hyperion because it’s such a wonderful book. An imaginative fantastic journey. Many stories in one, all beautifully interwoven. Simmons’ magnus opus, or magnus cantos even! :)

Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson. It balances Heinlein with its political stance and it also has an environmental thrust, a macro scale epic story about terraforming, politics and also quite near future.

Mimsy Were the Borogoves by Lewis Padgett – science fiction doesn’t need space ships to work! This short story delivers essential SF with small means and a very non-speculative setting. A movie is being made.

Flowers for Algernon – I read it when I was fourteen and it moved me. It’s still one of the best pieces of SF writing I know.

Maybes:
Pushing Ice by Alastair Reynolds – maybe not his best but it never lets down the pace. Might be a bit too much space and technology to some people.

Tau Zero – by Poul Anderson… this is one of the best SF novels I’ve ever read. It’s hard science fiction but it’s also deeply philosophical and manages to deliver a lot of SFish ideas through very few pages.

Solaris by Stanislaw Lem. Also philosophical but in a very psychological way. A must-read for any serious SF fan. I’ve given this book to friends and they’ve loved it.

]]> By: Jane Roberti http://www.davidlouisedelman.com/science-fiction/intro-literary-sf/comment-page-3/#comment-1065 Jane Roberti Sun, 13 Jan 2008 05:04:11 +0000 http://www.davidlouisedelman.com/?p=228#comment-1065 Thanks so much for your literary sci-fi list. I am one such literary reader: DF Wallace, DeLillo, Borges, Calvino, Melville, are some of my favorite writers. But in the past year I've become obsessed with literary sci-fi and horror. Some books I've read in this year include: --"Cloud Atlas" by David Mitchell A very literary, genre-bending, difficult to follow but brillant book. It is a 19th century sea-adventure story, a detective novel, and a futurist sci-fi book. Blew my mind! --"Magic for Beginners" by Kelly Link --H.P. Lovecraft stories. Though a pulp writer he influenced ALL the great 20th c. sci-fi authors, as well as literary ones (Borges!). He's like the E.A Poe of sci-fi. Thanks so much for your literary sci-fi list. I am one such literary reader: DF Wallace, DeLillo, Borges, Calvino, Melville, are some of my favorite writers. But in the past year I’ve become obsessed with literary sci-fi and horror. Some books I’ve read in this year include:
–”Cloud Atlas” by David Mitchell
A very literary, genre-bending, difficult to follow but brillant book. It is a 19th century sea-adventure story, a detective novel, and a futurist sci-fi book. Blew my mind!
–”Magic for Beginners” by Kelly Link
–H.P. Lovecraft stories. Though a pulp writer he influenced ALL the great 20th c. sci-fi authors, as well as literary ones (Borges!). He’s like the E.A Poe of sci-fi.

]]> By: Lew Glendenning http://www.davidlouisedelman.com/science-fiction/intro-literary-sf/comment-page-3/#comment-1067 Lew Glendenning Sat, 05 Jan 2008 01:43:47 +0000 http://www.davidlouisedelman.com/?p=228#comment-1067 All of C.J. Cherryh's non-fantasy stuff. Her 'Foreigner' series is very good writing, very serious characters. All of C.J. Cherryh’s non-fantasy stuff. Her ‘Foreigner’ series is very good writing, very serious characters.

]]> By: Alan http://www.davidlouisedelman.com/science-fiction/intro-literary-sf/comment-page-3/#comment-1066 Alan Thu, 03 Jan 2008 05:10:27 +0000 http://www.davidlouisedelman.com/?p=228#comment-1066 I think George Stewart's Earth Abides would be excellent choice. I think George Stewart’s Earth Abides would be excellent choice.

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