Kevin's Watch

I'm currently working on the final stages of a Science-Fiction independent study with one of my high school english teachers. The precise topic is Science Fiction as Great Literature. In addition to a bunch of the 'classics' of SF which I've missed over (Fahr 451, which I'll compare to 1984 and BNW), I'll be reading books like War of the Newts (perhaps not exact title). The main question I'll be asking of each book is whether it's great SF, and whether it's great lit. The definitions of those terms is officially forthcoming, although I've got a rough draft of an essay on Canticle which discusses both.

Enough of that. I'm also going to introduce 1, maybe even 2, books which my teacher has not read. Right now I'm thinking about The Real Story, since even for a ~200 pager it's a fast read, or Fifth Head of Cerberus by Gene Wolfe. Maybe just the 3rd story, since while all 3 are great the 3rd is the most interesting stylistically and is the most obviously Wolfe'ish (though in being obviously dishonest it kinda goes against typical Wolfe). But even better would be books I haven't read.

The crieteria for the book(s) are as follows:
-Relatively short, since the teach is a busy guy. Or with suggested 'portions' for him to read, perhaps. It is possible he won't even get to read the books, but w/e.
-Reasonably easy to get. If it's out of print but can be ordered from amazon, B&N, etc, that's good. I use Ebay all the time but it is occaisionally unreliable and I'd rather not have to result to it.
-Obviously science fiction. I am reading some "debatable" material (Frankenstein, maybe 20000 Leauges), but I don't want anyone arguing for Wolfe's The Knight.

Not necessary, but suggested:
-Modern, like, 80s or newer. This is kinda meh, since there's certainly a lot of older stuff available, but since I have a lot from 1890s-1960s something later than that would be appreciated. I don't remember when Neuromancer was published, but I should mention that I've got that already and NO STEPHENSON.
-"Great lit". Although I'm doing stuff I wouldn't classify as such, it'd be nice to have the modern stuff be upbeat looking for the overall quality of science fiction.
-Any sort of supplemental criticism would be extremely appreciated. I have, if I remember right, 8 reference books right now, but all are general. A specific criticism of a book would be appreciated.

If your looking for recommendations I say, as always: Neverness by David Zindell. It meets all your critieria--memorable and important passages. Easier read than it's second book, but is also "stand-alone". Can be ordered off amazon.uk.

The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell, published in 1996. It fits your criteria of being after 1990 and it definitely has a literary sensibility to it, but it's longish (IMO a quick read).

Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler, published in 1995. Fits both criteria, and is much shorter The Sparrow.

danlo wrote:If your looking for recommendations I say, as always: Neverness by David Zindell. It meets all your critieria--memorable and important passages.

Uh, except it's not short.

Neuromancer was published in th 70's IIRC.

No...I don't have any recommendations...Canticle is awesome.

--A

Avatar wrote:

danlo wrote:If your looking for recommendations I say, as always: Neverness by David Zindell. It meets all your critieria--memorable and important passages.

Uh, except it's not short.

Neuromancer was published in th 70's IIRC.

No...I don't have any recommendations...Canticle is awesome.

--A

Right? In terms of material for an essay it's FULL of stuff. It's a great book. The only gripe is all the latin I didn't understand. Well, much of the stuff was pretty much given ("Curse you" or "praise god" type words) but I remember some longer passages and prayers it would've been nice to know in english too. The only things I were able to figure out were the english translations for the 3 parts of the book.

As far as Neverness...I did say at the time that if there were "good passages to read" so to speak, it'd probably serve. But when I take some time to consider my words...700 ps is a tad long, even for me, because I have to mix in this course's readings with stuff for the rest of school, and rec reading. I am a fast reader but not superhuman. I really do hate to make limitations based on that, but shorter is really a necessity even for me, when I consider things carefully. I could probably fit it in if I dropped the "Dystopian Unit", which is made up of 1984, BNW, and Fahr 451, and just read Fahr 451 on my own (since it's short anyway). The downside is that my ind. study would then be without Fahr 451, so I'd be loath to do so.

Between Taraswizard's selections...448 (Sparrow) is still pushing it, but I know I have another Butler book on the list, though I can't remember the title, and Sparrow looks good. Very probably my choice right now.

Oh and I noticed a total lie in my post for some reason, which is that I'm reading Frankenstien. I'm referring to it as science-fiction, despite the fact that the most defining 'moment' of the genre as a genre is some story called Ralph [insert lots of numbers and some letters I can't remember here], published in 1912.

Holsety wrote:Between Taraswizard's selections...448 (Sparrow) is still pushing it, but I know I have another Butler book on the list, though I can't remember the title, and Sparrow looks good. Very probably my choice right now.

And an EXCELLENT choice it is! What a book! I read it because of TW's discussions of it.

I'm also surprised it's that long. I'd forgotten, because it seems a very fast read to me. Engrossing, and all that.

These might be a bit old (I think they're both from the 1960's), but they're fairly short and very good!

Roger Zelazny's Lord of Light and his Creatures of Light and Darkness. The second one in particular is quite experimental in nature, and might be interesting in the sci fi/literature debate.

And Sparrow is a wonderful book. Asks some wonderful questions about the nature of God and about religion.