I'm a big reader of fantasy novels (I edited it just for you Owlcroft) but I've hardly every read science fiction. A shame, I know! Strangely, I watch a lot of science fiction movies but I can't seem to determine where to start literature wise.
So here I am, relying on you to counsel me on how I should introduce myself in the SF literature's world!
Last edited by Fantasyeatergal; March 22nd, 2011 at 09:19 AM.
Well, as a start, what sort of fantasy novels do you prefer to read? Maybe we can find something similar to ease you in.
Id recommend Hyperion and Fall of Hyperion by Dan Simmons
Tell us some sci-fi movies you like and dislike and possibly why so maybe we can narrow down the selection.
Do you prefer Star Wars to 2001: A Space Odyssey or the other way around?
What about Aliens versus Blade Runner?
psik
I find myself in a very similar position in SF- up until recently i considered myself a fantasy reader, but i've recently started branching out. I can't be certain about this, as they are two different styles of writing, but i get the feeling a fantasy reader who liked the truly epic stuff of GRRM and similar writers would probably go for the huge space operas like Peter F Hamilton's Void series.
Guaranteed to put anyone off, IMOOriginally Posted by Asimovking
Better to start with something shorter and a bit lighter, and still very impressive - The Left hand of Darkness by Ursula Le Guin?
"You guys be nice when I'm not grammatically correct."
I offer this thought in what I hope will be seen as a spirit of niceness, and not unkindness.
Re: fantasy novels' reader: In English, there are two ways of indicating the genitive case, commonly but misleadingly called the "possessive"--misleadingly because it signifies many relations more subtle than "possession" (Caesar's murderers are not murderers owned by Caesar). One is the use of the apostrophe-s combination, and the other--the newer--is the use of the modal particle "of" (so called because it is not functioning as a preposition, any more than the modal "to" in infinitives such as "I like to read"). But the two methods cannot be used indiscriminately.
It is not by any means a "rule", but is a general quality of idiomatic English that the s-apostrophe form is used for living things or things readily considered as personifications:
- Tom's hat
- the wind's roar
For other uses, the "of" form is more natural. Since novels are not normally considered easy personifications, the idiomatic genitive form in your sentence would use the modal particle: "I'm a big reader of fantasy novels &c &c".
(Sidebar note: the chief exception to the guideline is the so-called "genitive with gerund": The house's settling was creating major structural risks.")
As to your chief question: as others have noted, we cannot answer intelligently till we have some idea of the sorts of things you like. psikeyhackr put his finger pretty well right on the pulse with his query.
Last edited by owlcroft; March 22nd, 2011 at 04:20 AM. Reason: Add note re original question.
I'm a big fantasy novels' reader but I've hardly every read science fiction. A shame, I know! Strangely, I watch a lot of science fiction movies but I can't seem to determine where to start literature wise.
So here I am, relying on you to counsel me on how I should introduce myself in the SF literature's world!
How about popping your cherry with a transition novel to get you from the Fantasy side of things over to Science Fiction proper, and without jolting your senses... look into The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson. Strictly speaking, The Diamond Age is pure SF, but it reads like a fantasy.
Do not even think of picking up Hyperion... or Dune.
These are books for the experienced SF reader. Do not read StarWars, StarTrek, or video game spinoffs, as they are like a gateway drug and will lead you to ever more 'trashy' material.
Last edited by Sparrow; March 22nd, 2011 at 06:43 AM.
It's hard to tell as my tastes range rather wide. But let's see...
I'm partial to characters that are different shades of gray. I like when the heroes are not clearly "good guys" but a little antipathetic. In that vein, I like Rob Thurman's Cal Leandros' series and Jim Butcher's Dresden Files. Also, I've been a lot into urban fantasy this past couple of months.
On the other hand, I have to admit I can be a real geek and enjoy the typical party-going-on-a-quest story, where a group of unlikely individuals join forces to defeat the all-around bad guy. In that category my all time favorite would be Pierre Grimbert's Cycle de Ji series... It's in french though, so I'm not sure you would know...
Again, it's hard to compare these movies since they are just so different. That being said, I'd definitely wouldn't start with something as confusing as 2001...
I loved the ambiance of Alien (the first), although I usually prefer when there's a touch of humor in my reading... specially black and sarcastic humor.
I hope it helps...
PS: Thanks, owlcroft, for the lesson. Always in for a little improvement
if you like fantasy, there's a thread around here somewhere about books and series that share elements of both genres. good luck finding it, I don't remember the title.
I would suggest Larry Niven - good science elements and decent writing / pacing. My favorites are The Mote in God's Eye and Foottfall.
For dystopian SF there's Richard Morgan with Takeshi Kovacs series or Black Man, or Asimov with Caves of Steel / Naked Sun, or Philip K Dick, William Gibson and the recent prize winning Paulo Bacigalupi with The Wind-up Girl
For space opera, Dune is in my opinion required reading, any Peter F Hamilton is good if you like very long books with sprawling plot and huge cast.
For military SF you could start with Lois McMaster Bujold, Joe Scalzi with Old Man's War, or some Dorsai books by Gordon R Dickson
for humor I highly recommend The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
I have already read (and re-read) The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy... I mean, even people who don't read SF read Douglas Adams
And I think I'd like something military...
I'd suggest Tad Williams' Otherland series, in case you've read his fantasy output. Same grand and epic scale, but with more of a SF-nal backdrop.
Shades of gray should be easy to find in good SF. By the way, welcome to SF team, I think you are about to discover some of the finest writing imaginable.
Since you mention urban fantasy, Perdido Street Station by China Mieville would certainly qualify. Some may question if it is really SF however....
Larry Niven was mentioned earlier, only I think you might prefer the fantastic Ringworld since it features a very unlikely group of individuals joining forces. Plenty of humor in the form of Nessus the Pierson's puppeteer, who dearly love to lead from behind. (The Hindmost)On the other hand, I have to admit I can be a real geek and enjoy the typical party-going-on-a-quest story, where a group of unlikely individuals join forces to defeat the all-around bad guy. In that category my all time favorite would be Pierre Grimbert's Cycle de Ji series... It's in french though, so I'm not sure you would know...
Stephen Donaldson's Gap series has loads of black and sarcastic humor with very adult topics. Dip your toes in if you dare...I loved the ambiance of Alien (the first), although I usually prefer when there's a touch of humor in my reading... specially black and sarcastic humor.
Here's another angle on your quest. Why not try one of the many SF short story compilations? That way you can get a taste of a lot of authors and their styles at one time. Then you can track down their longer novels later on once you figure out who you like best.
One of the more popular compilations is put together by Gardner Dozois. Here is the 2009 version: The Year's Best Science Fiction: Twenty-Seventh Annual Collection
I'm sure your local library will carry something like these compilations. One of the older versions will expose you to the works of the classics like Bradbury, Asimov, Clarke etc.
One additional tip is Robert Silverberg a writer who easily switches between Sf and Fantasy. Donaldson is another.
Thank you all so much for the useful advises!
I have to be honest, I found SF a little intimidating for some reason. Like some strange beast I wasn't sure how to start taming! (in fact, a beast I wasn't sure what side was the head or tail!)
Now I have some ideas on where to begin my initiation without scaring myself off... and going back to my comfortable fantasy novels
By the way... NeonKnight, you really know how to sell SF
I would highly recommend Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card and 1984 by George Orwell. Two fantastic novels which are easy to read.
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