A Sci Fi Reading Odyssey - 50 Novels

[Matt H.]

A Reading Odyssey - With "blank slate" Responses

50 Science Fiction Novels 1935-1985

Join us as we re-visit some of these well-known works. I will be giving each a fresh, independent review from a reading-enjoyment perspective. Read along and join the discussion. Agree or disagree with my reviews. Or write your own, and share with us your knowledge, insight and opinions on these works and their place in Science Fiction literature.

Update: 27 responses completed. (Linked titles below)
Currently reviewing: --
Currently reading: (a quick reading detour -- Horror Jag)
Up next: Lord of Light, Roger Zelazny

1. Odd John, Olaf Stapledon [1935]
2. The Other Side of Here, Murray Leinster [1936]
3. Carson of Venus, Edgar Rice Burroughs [1939] *LATEST!!
4. Lest Darkness Fall, Sprauge de Camp [1939]
5. *One Against Eternity, A.E. Van Vogt [1947]
6. The Humanoids, Jack Williamson [1949]
7. Earth Abides, George R. Stewart [1949]
8. *The Paradox Men, Charles L. Harness [1949]
9. The Voyage Of The Space Beagle, A.E. Van Vogt [1950]
10. The Puppet Masters, Robert A. Heinlein [1951]
11. City, Clifford Simak [1952]
12. More Than Human, Theodore Sturgeon [1953]
13. Childhood’s End, Arthur C. Clarke [1953]
14. The Kraken Wakes, John Wyndham [1953]
15. The Long Tomorrow, Leigh Brackett [1955]
16. Double Star, Robert A. Heinlein [1956]
17. The Stars My Destination, Alfred Bester [1956]
18. *Non-Stop, Brian Aldiss [1958]
19. Solaris, Stanislaw Lem [1961]
20. *Little Fuzzy, H. Beam Piper [1962] (to re-visit)
21. Martian Time-Slip, Phillip K. Dick [1964]
22. Babel-17, Samuel Delany [1966]
23. *The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, Heinlein [1966]
24. This Immortal, Roger Zelazny [1966]
25. Lord of Light, Roger Zelazny [1967] UP NEXT!!
26. Emphyrio, Jack Vance [1969]
27. The Left Hand of Darkness, Ursula K. Le Guin [1969]
28. Ringworld, Larry Niven [1970]
29. Tau Zero, Poul Anderson [1970]
30. Roadside Picnic, Arkady and Boris Strugatsky [1972]
31. The Forever War, Joe Haldeman [1974]
32. *The Shockwave Rider, John Brunner [1975]
33. Gateway, Frederik Pohl [1976]
34. Ender's Game, Orson Scott Card [1977]
35. *Downbelow Station, C.J. Cherryh [1981]
36. The Pillars of Eternity, Barrington Bayley [1982]
37. Startide Rising, David Brin [1983]
38. Neuromancer, William Gibson [1984]
39. Footfall, Niven/Pournelle [1985]
40. --
41. --
42. --
43. --
44. --
45. --
46. --
47. --
48. --
49. --
50. --

Available alternates

1. *Star Maker, Olaf Stapledon [1937]
2. *Gray Lensman, E.E. Smith [1939]
3. *Foundation, Iasaac Asimov [1942]
4. *The Martian Chronicles, Ray Bradbury [1945]
5. *The Legion of Space, Jack Williamson [1947]
6. *The Demolished Man, Alfred Bester [1951]
7. *I Robot, Isaac Asimov [1950]
8. *Citizen of the Galaxy, Robert Heinlein [1957]
9. *Way Station, Clifford Simak [1963]

To Add?

1. Darker Than You Think, Williamson, Jack [1940]
2. Wolfbane, F. Pohl/Kornbluth [1959]
3. Genus Homo, Sprague de Camp/Miller [1941]
4. Destiny Times Three, Fritz Lieber [1943]

*********************************************************

About "Blank Slate" Responses (v 2.26)

The responses are based on a first-time reading with no knowledge of the plot or ending. I try to avoid all external information about the book -- reviews, summaries, book cover notes, casual opinions, artwork, author's reputation or biography, etc.

I write my response from memory. I do not quote from the text, and I do my best not to open the book again once I'm done. I'm aiming for a thoughtful analysis, but based on an impression -- a conversational, reader-centric appraisal.

I try to make the critique as self-contained as possible. I won't compare the books on the list to each other or to any other other works of Science Fiction. I ask myself, for the kind of book each book is, how well does it achieve its maximum potential within its type?

I also consider the following:

-Nationality of the author
-Publication year and general history of the time.
-Occasionally, other literature (non-Science Fiction)

I may sometimes make carefully considered changes influenced by the input of other users here. Later, I hope to return for a second look at each book with a “revisited” review that considers all the external info that I ignored in the initial response.

How the List Was Selected

I wanted a selection that was a bit quirky -- major works mixed with somewhat lesser known ones. I purposefully excluded several writers for various reasons: Huxley, Orwell, Vonnegut, Burgess, Atwood, Bradbury, etc.

Otherwise, the most important criteria I used to select the list were:

-Published 1935-1985
-Major or fairly major work, OR "underappreciated classic"
-Not part of series (or reads as a totally independent work)
-Pub. dates roughly equally spaced in time: 30's through 80's
-Not too long (avg length about 225 pages)
-Known to be pioneering, original or influential
-Unlike others on list.. (maximum variety of themes, styles)

 

[Matt H.]

Looks like "Solaris" is arriving today...

Anyone want to read/re-read it with me? This could be a place for discussion...

 

[dannymcg]

Tabula Rasa meets Sci Fi classics! Going to record all, faithfully as Dr. Jekyll.

Oh, lucky you...

1. Tau Zero, Poul Anderson
2. Ender's Game, Orson Scott Card
3. Childhood’s End, Arthur C. Clarke (re-reading)
4. Gateway (Heechee Saga), Frederik Pohl
5. The Martian Chronicles, Ray Bradbury (re-reading)
6. Foundation, Isaac Asimov (Book 1) (re-reading)
7. Roadside Picnic, Arkady Strugatsky
8. Ringworld, Larry Niven
9. Neuromancer, William Gibson
10. Citizen of the Galaxy, Robert A. Heinlein
11. The Left Hand of Darkness, Ursula K. Le Guin
12. Solaris, Stanislaw Lem
13. The Kraken Wakes, John Wyndham
14. Odd John/Sirius, Olaf Stapledon
15. The Shockwave Rider, John Brunner
16. The Legion of Space, (others), Jack Williamson

There's five on that list that I never finished, I read so far into them and zoned out from the dullness!

 

[Matt H.]

Like I mentioned, hoping to use this space for a two-part analysis...Would certainly welcome any company

1. Reader response -- Did I like it? Why? Why not? Specifics... Also, how do I rate its artistic merit and originality?

2. Writerly analysis of technique --- How would I go about copying or imitating the work as a writer? (see in progress guide below)

 

[Matt H.]

There's five on that list that I never finished, I read so far into them and zoned out from the dullness!

Danny, please share which five! Thanks for the comment...

(added)

Was expecting mostly fun reads, but maybe not? Oh well, already ordered them so determined to plough through them... Will keep an open mind. "Classics" always come with a benefit of the doubt, however if something is honestly not fun, then I guess you should recognize that fact. Windy, Hobbit? Have any opinion on readability of list? From the small snips I've read expect Le Guin and Brunner books might be among more "artsy"...Other than that I don't know.

 

[Hobbit]

I think you've got an interesting range there, Matt. Never read Solaris beyond the first few pages (and a long time ago!), so I'll be interested to read what you think.

Some of those I've reread and reviewed at SFFWorld . At some time I'll get to re-reading a few more - Moon is a Harsh Mistress is still on the to be read pile - but not any time soon.

But I think you've got a nice range there. Some will point out the lack of female writers, but the list is perhaps indicative of the times they were written.

I look forward to reading what you think.

 

[Matt H.]

I think you've got an interesting range there...

Thank you Mark. Will consider somehow getting a reasonable price paperback of "Moon is a Harsh Mistress" so I can sub that one in. So maybe we can sync our readings. Mark, what do you think about the readability factor? Are most of those fairly easy reads? (relative page turners?) Or not necessarily? Value your educated opinion. (nevertheless fun or not fun committing to this final list!)

(added)
Will seek out any reviews you have written on each after I have read them, and add that to the post-read analysis.

Saw now you said you weren't re-reading "Moon" anytime soon. If we can sync on any other of these let me know. It's a slightly more vivid analysis/discussion sometimes with work extremely fresh in your mind.

 

[Hobbit]

Thanks for the offer, Matt. Next few weeks are stupidly busy at work, so any reading/reviews from me are unlikely, unless they're in the system (Think the next from me is Ted Chiang's Exhalation.) But after that I should have some time.

Legion of Space is fun, but undoubtedly 1940's pulp. Foundation is harder work than many expect but some great ideas within. Kraken Wakes has been on my reread list for a while now - love Wyndham as a template for 1960's British SF - but then, so has Triffids.

'Harder' reads: Left Hand, Solaris, possibly Shockwave Rider (but not as tough as Stand on Zanzibar, if I remember right) but may be more about issues of style rather than substance. (It's been a while.)

M.

 

[Matt H.]

Thanks for the offer, Matt. Next few weeks...

Got it. I understand. Anything you might have time for is great. Thanks for sketching in a few more specific details as usual.

 

[dannymcg]

Danny, please share which five! Thanks for the comment Matt H

Tau Zero
Roadside Picnic
Left Hand of Darkness
Solaris
Odd John

I've read (and re-read) all the others and enjoyed them but those five just didn't do it for me....no doubt some really liked them, it's all down to personal preferences I suppose

 

[Hobbit]

Think I can see why, Danny: I liked Tau Zero but I can see it's not for everyone. Same with Left Hand and I suspect Solaris (The original Russian movie bored me rigid when I first saw it.)

 

[krisbslick]

Out of your reading list, I've read the following:

1. Ender's Game - Orson Scott Card
2. Ringworld - Larry Niven
   
3. Gateway (Heechee Saga) - Frederik Pohl
4. Foundation - Isaac Asimov
5. Neuromancer - William Gibson
6. The Left Hand of Darkness - Ursula K. Le Guin
7. Solaris - Stanislaw Lem

My favorites were Ender's Game and Ringworld - I think these will be the "fun" reads you were looking for. Least enjoyable were Solaris and Left Hand, which were a slog for me - just couldn't seem get the pages moving. And the others fall in the middle somewhere. I suggest you follow Solaris with Ringworld (if you can). Trust me, you'll need it if your tastes are anything like mine. Leave Ender's Game for a special occasion. lol

I also read The Moon is the Harsh Mistress - a little dated, but it wasn't bad. (Helped that my physics professor in college made us verify some of the orbital mechanics from the book - really enjoyed the tie in.)

Like you, I wanted to try and get a smattering of the classics, a few years back. I usually prefer more modern books, but still, I did enjoy quite a few - Rama and Dune come to mind as well.

Be interested to hear your take on them and keep us posted where you're at!

 

[phil_geo]

Of your list, these are the ones I've read, ranked from most enjoyed to least:

Neuromancer, William Gibson
Ender's Game, Orson Scott Card
Childhood’s End, Arthur C. Clarke (re-reading)
The Left Hand of Darkness, Ursula K. Le Guin
Gateway (Heechee Saga), Frederik Pohl
Ringworld, Larry Niven
Foundation, Isaac Asimov (Book 1) (re-reading)


There's really not a single one I disliked, but Foundation was soooo dry. I didn't really have any issues with Left Hand, but LeGuin is a favorite author of mine. Neuromancer I've always just really enjoyed - one of very few books I've read more than once.

 

[Matt H.]

Of your list, these are the ones...

Thank you for chiming in, Phil! Looking forward to Neuromancer!

 

[Matt H.]

Out of your reading list, I've read the following...

Thank you Kris for sharing your experience. I am about 1/3 through Solaris - I will give a mini-review/response soon. I am going to follow your advice and follow Solaris with Ringworld.

 

[almostvoid]

(edited)
Tabula Rasa meets Sci Fi classics! Going to record all, faithfully as Dr. Jekyll.

Oh, lucky you...

1. The Legion of Space, (others), Jack Williamson [1934]
2. Odd John, Olaf Stapledon [1935]
3. The Martian Chronicles, Ray Bradbury (re-read) [1945]
4. Foundation, Isaac Asimov (Book 1) (re-read) [1951]
5. Childhood’s End, Arthur C. Clarke (re-read) [1953]
6. The Kraken Wakes, John Wyndham [1953]
7. Citizen of the Galaxy, Robert A. Heinlein [1957]
8. Solaris, Stanislaw Lem [1961]
9. The Left Hand of Darkness, Ursula K. Le Guin [1969]
10. Ringworld, Larry Niven [1970]
11. Tau Zero, Poul Anderson [1970]
12. Roadside Picnic, Arkady Strugatsky [1972]
13. The Shockwave Rider, John Brunner [1975]
14. Gateway (Heechee Saga), Frederik Pohl [1976]
15. Ender's Game, Orson Scott Card [1977]
    
16. Neuromancer, William Gibson [1984]

John Wyndham: he was the first SF writer I read. At home. Chrysalis and Midwich Cookoos [and spell check can't get this right either]. The man was exceptional. Arthur C Clarke - well I studied 'Science Fiction and Society' in third year sociology and our lecturer had a great reading list. There was Clarke's 'The City and the Stars'. So way ahead of everybody else. Stanislaw Lem. I just read a few of his others. Bubbling with ideas. I wont go through your eclectic list. it is monumental. I shall leave you with this: I seem to find the current contents of this genre have degeneration into sociological problems set in either a dystopian future [ho hum again, still?] run away technology which thanks to Gibson [hero] has now become AI derangement. Or family sagas. A major reason why I write this stuff. So thanks for reminding us what is out there for those who may not be as ancient is me.

 

[almostvoid]

Think I can see why, Danny: I liked Tau Zero but I can see it's not for everyone. Same with Left Hand and I suspect Solaris (The original Russian movie bored me rigid when I first saw it.)

Solaris was remade. Can't remember who. Russians -then- were not rather as you noted. Pity. [for Lem}.

 

[farseer2]

Some comments:

Odd John, Olaf Stapledon -> Haven't read this one, but by the same author I was awed by Star Maker.

The Martian Chronicles, Ray Bradbury -> Yeah, it's good, just not my favorite kind of story. More poetical than gripping.

Foundation, Isaac Asimov -> Loved it. I just love how Asimov thinks and tell stories. I should reread one of these days. This is a fix-up of stories published in SF magazines, so it's not as cohesive as a regular novel, but I loved the big ideas.

Childhood’s End, Arthur C. Clarke -> OK, but not that great for me.

The Kraken Wakes, John Wyndham -> Haven't read that one, but I got a very pleasant surprise with The Day of the Triffids. Studying English as a foreign language at university, we had to choose a book from a list to discuss it in the oral exam. I chose The Day of the Triffids and I really enjoyed it. As a SF fan, I was surprised that I discovered it in such an unexpected place, from an author I hadn't even heard about.

Citizen of the Galaxy, Robert A. Heinlein -> One of Heinlein's juveniles, good.

Solaris, Stanislaw Lem -> Yeah, it's good. I liked it, although it won't be for everyone.

The Left Hand of Darkness, Ursula K. Le Guin -> Quite good. Again, it may not be for everyone, but LeGuin writes so well...

Ringworld, Larry Niven -> Awe-inspiring at the time for the concept of the ring, although the impact would be less now. However, the book itself is not that good, IMO. From this author, I certainly prefer The Mote in God's Eye.

Gateway (Heechee Saga), Frederik Pohl -> Not much talked about now, but I liked the whole series.

Ender's Game, Orson Scott Card -> Really enjoyable for me, although the parts about the internet are very dated (the internet did not really exist when the book was published, and anyway it's only a very small part of the book).

 

[Hobbit]

Solaris was remade. Can't remember who. Russians -then- were not rather as you noted. Pity.

Yes: George Clooney. Never been bored enough to try watching it. On a more positive note, I suspect that the book may be better. Might give it another try at some point.

 

[Matt H.]

... I suspect that the book may be better. Might give it another try at some point.

Mark, finished Solaris and formulating a review now...Hope to post soon.

(added)
Finished draft of review is here.