[dune dude]

Any fans of Clifford D Simak out there???

[sanclemente99]

Big fan here. What I like most about his books is that they are optimistic, not the "it was the decline and fall of...." stuff most science fiction writers seem to wallow in. My favorite is Way Station, but I also liked a bunch of his fantasy books (sure, they are derivative, but they are fun to read). And you?

[Xayn]

Hear you.
"Destiny Doll" is my fav.
Funny thing is, when that book started out, I thought I'd hate it. It had the "outlaw" wanted in half of the galaxy, it had the butt-kicking princess, it had a robot, it had an (actually octopus-shaped) alien, and I thought: oh God, nooo!, but from chapter two onwards this turned into something utterly wonderful. It is one of the most surrealistic SF books I ever read, and has a positive end, that is somewhat philosophical, and not at all pain-in-my-behind-happy-end-ish.
Unfortunately, Simak seems one of these "forgotten" guys whose writings are pretty hard to come by nowadays.

[This message has been edited by Xayn (edited July 12, 2001).]

[dune dude]

My favourite is "Way Station", but "Ring Around the Sun" comes a very close second. I mamnge to buy a lot from ebay but sometimes pick them up at car boot sales and second hand book shop.

His story stories are amazing too check out "All The Traps of Earth and othe Stories" and "So Bright the Vision".

I am currently reading Simak's short-story collection "Off-Planet".

This guy should not be out-of-print.

[Hobbit]

Yes agree. Simak was one of the oldsters that was different. I like Way Station and Ring a lot but I think my favourite is City. I must admit the last one of Simak's I read was the Visitors (from about 1980?) It was very good too.

Hobbit

[dune dude]

I have bought "The Visitors" but haven't read it yet. Still haven't managed to track down "City" yet, it is on my wish list. Currently reading "Cosmic Engineers" - brilliant!!!