Kevin's Watch

For five or more years, I've been a strict Fantasy enthusiast and have not had the interest in Science Fiction. Now, however, my viewpoint has changed drastically and I am now focusing all my thoughts on science fiction--even SF storytelling--but I don't know that much about it. Are there any good starter SF authors I could get into?

When I decided to make a conscious effort to read more science fiction, I started with Dan Simmons' Hyperion and Fall of Hyperion pair. Excellent books. Or rather, an excellent story told across two books, resulting in a slightly weak first book that is nonetheless essential to understanding of the far superior second book.

My father reads Dan Simmons--I'll see if I can find some of his stuff in his library (or, rather, his bookshelves)

I like the "golden age" authors.
Because of my daddy, I was weaned on that through his lifetime charter subscription to The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction.

Isaac Asimov
Ray Bradbury
Walter M. Miller, Jr.
etc...

Matthias,

You're going to hear a million answers, and the ones above are quite good, but for my money, Dune is the place to start.

For some reason, I couldn't find Dan Simmons (though I know that he bought one called Ilium, I think) but I did find Alastair Reynolds, Roger MacBride Allen, and Peter F. Hamilton...

Menolly, what books of those authors shall I look for? I've definitely heard of them, but am not familiar with their works. Like I said, I'm a Fantasy buff trying to incoporate SF into my life.

Mhoram, I now concede that whatever people say will be subjective--according to their own opinions...I was just curious if any one author appeared many times in the following opinions.

Matthias wrote:Menolly, what books of those authors shall I look for? I've definitely heard of them, but am not familiar with their works. Like I said, I'm a Fantasy buff trying to incoporate SF into my life.

Asimov ~ Foundation series and Robot series
Bradbury ~ The Martian Chronicles
Walter M. Miller, Jr. ~ A Canticle for Leibowitz

Those will start you off. Asimov in particular was amazingly prolific...

I liked Peter Hamilton's Neutronium Alchemist series ... good space opera. I think that a fantasy fan can relate to that kind of thing more than Alastair Cook and Roger Allen, who are very sciency.

I would also recommend David Brin's "Uplift" saga, starting with Sundiver (okay) but sticking with it to Startide Rising (masterpiece).

Simmons was mentioned.

Lord Mhoram wrote:Matthias,

You're going to hear a million answers, and the ones above are quite good, but for my money, Dune is the place to start.

Sadly still subjective. Dune almost made me cry, it was so dull. But that's a discussion for elsewhere.

CovenantJr,

Indeed.

Menolly,

A Canticle for Leibowitz and the "Foundation" series are great places to start as well.

The Holy Triumvirate:

Asimov
Clarke
Heinlenn

Also great SF writers:
Orson Scott Card
Frederich Pohl
Phillip K. Dick
Larry Niven
Stephan Baxter

The Dreaming wrote:The Holy Triumvirate:

Asimov
Clarke
Heinlenn

*nod*

I've heard that, but I haven't read Clarke, and have only read Stranger in a Strange Land by Heinlein.

*goes to write this stuff down*

What does anyone have to say about Alastair Reynolds? (Specifically "Revelation Space"?) Would it be good for a starter?

I've read Revelation Space. It was ... okay. A bit dense. If the topic is Sci-Fi a fantasy fan would like, I wouldn't add it to the list.

Oh... I'm not one for promoting oldies as a good intro because their old ... but the John Carter of Mars series is darn good pulp joy, and fits the category I mention. Every library has 'em. I hope the movie finally gets made.

CovenantJr wrote:

Lord Mhoram wrote:Matthias,

You're going to hear a million answers, and the ones above are quite good, but for my money, Dune is the place to start.

Sadly still subjective. Dune almost made me cry, it was so dull. But that's a discussion for elsewhere.

Yes! The Dune forum at the Hangar! Hie thee there at once!

ahirashangar.ihugny.com/phpBB3/viewforum.php?f=14

Hamilton's Neutronium Alchemist (Nights Dawn) were good, well written, mostly great concept, Void Hawks!, but they really collapsed toward the end...I mean...

SERIOUS SPOILER

Spoiler

Capone's Ghost???? C'mon!

Me, I like the old ones myself...Heinlein, Asimov, Herbert, but there are good new ones too. Was enjoying anderson's Seven Suns series, but I'm a couple books behind now...dunno what the latest are like.

Canticle is great, Farenheit 451 a classic, Tilley's Amtrak Wars for a great series that's more modern...

--A

Avatar wrote:Farenheit 451 a classic

That's also by Ray Bradbury, Matthias. Excellent book as well, as Av stated.

Hmm...I've seen that book (Farenheit 451) at the book store a few times. Never stopped to look at it, though...

It is an astonishing book.

Matthias...

I was ten (1970) when I read the first story I remember reading as science fiction. It was a short story by Ray Bradbury in an old copy of my Daddy's The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction (March, 1954, according to wikipedia).

You can read a google generated HTML version of a .doc copy of it at All Summer in a Day. If the link doesn't work, the original .doc is at All Summer in a Day. It's not an outstanding example of SF, but it will give you a small taste, if you're interested.

Apparently the story was made into a television play. I've never seen it, but it's on youtube...

All Summer in a Day (youtube) Pt. 1

Orson Scott Card is the place to start. His writing is great and fluid and his characters...you just care about them.
Ender's Game and then Speaker for the Dead. Then on to Dune.