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| Viewing Page 1 of 1 (Total Posts: 27) |
| Author | Comment This topic is sticky |
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Thomas M. Wagner
Sep 11, 07 - 10:09 AM |
Reader opinions sought for idea I have
As longtime readers of this site are aware, there are a lot of gaps; important authors whose works are either entirely absent, or who are only represented by a handful of reviews. I thought it might be interesting to pick one author who's under-represented in this way, and concentrate on reading every single F/SF title by that author I can put my hands on. In other words, get at least one well-known writer up here whose entire fiction output is reviewed. So I'd like suggestions of who you'd like to see given that focus. People have, in a general way, made these suggestions before. They'll say I need more Iain M. Banks, or why the hell haven't I reviewed Dune yet, or that kind of thing. I thought I'd start this thread so all the requests could be concentrated in one spot. So think about it. Send me either one name that stands out for you above all others, or send me your Top 10 list in order. Do it however you like. Keep in mind that once I tally all the responses (as I'm not doing a traditional "click one" poll here, I expect every single response to have a different suggestion, but hey, that's forums for you) and decide who I'm going with, I will still be keeping up to date with all of my new and advance reviews, and reading the selected author's books inbetween. So you needn't worry I'm going to let the new titles slack. |
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B Young
Sep 11th, 2007 - 3:30 PM |
Re: Reader opinions sought for idea I have
Gene Wolfe, The Knight was good but The Book of the New Sun, dare I use the word, is a masterpiece. |
Lex Wood
Sep 13th, 2007 - 5:14 PM |
Re: Reader opinions sought for idea I have
My vote goes to Banks, because I still can't wait for your review of the last short story in his The State of the Art. |
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Richard Hayden
Sep 14th, 2007 - 8:08 AM |
Re: Reader opinions sought for idea I have
I agree with Lex. Iain M Banks needs more coverage. Oh, and so do Joe Haldeman and Tim Powers. While I'm dredging my memory for deserving causes can I recommend a few other authors from the UK? (I already think you do an excellent job of covering the UK publishing scene but I thought it wouldn't hurt to have a few other options). Anyway, some, and in some cases all, of the work from the following is worth a look: Justina Robson Neal Asher Robert Holdstock Ian Macdonald Ian R Macleod Mary Gentle M John Harrison Keep up the good work Richard Hayden |
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Fanis
Sep 14th, 2007 - 12:16 PM |
Re: Reader opinions sought for idea I have
Gene Wolfe definitely |
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Bob Blough
Sep 26th, 2007 - 12:02 AM |
Re: Reader opinions sought for idea I have
If I had my my choice I would say Robert Silverberg, but to read all of his stuff (especially before 1965) would be a waste of your time - I do believe that his middle period and all his short story collections should be read, however. What do you think? I would aggree with Gene Wolfe but would also include: Clfford Simak (unfairly forgotton) Ursula K. LeGuin Ian R. MacLeod Cordwainer Smith R.A. Lafferty Fritz Leiber Alfred Bester Samuel R. Delaney Connie Willis Roger Zelazny What about any of these? |
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Symbol
Sep 27th, 2007 - 12:20 PM |
Re: Reader opinions sought for idea I have
Sean Russell Gene Wolfe |
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Lex Wood
Sep 29th, 2007 - 7:46 PM |
Re: Reader opinions sought for idea I have
This is an author you need to read. Period. As soon as possible. Alexander Jablokov. I've only read his 'A Deeper Sea,' but that (and he) is something your database is sorely lacking. It takes place in 2015. A team of Russian scientists are trying to recreate the conditions in the past that made dolphins, among other things, talk to us. I wouldn't say it's giving anything away to say they succeed, espescially because that's revealed on the back cover. I think you'll really like this novel. |
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Lex Wood
Sep 29th, 2007 - 7:54 PM |
Re: Reader opinions sought for idea I have
A follow up to my last one: His fist novel is called Carve the Sky: http://www.amazon.com/Carve-Sky-Alexander-Jablokov/dp/038071521X/ref=sr_1_2/102-6254169-0614523?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1191120792&sr=1-2 Here's Amazon on 'A Deeper Sea': http://www.amazon.com/Deeper-Sea-Alexander-Jablokov/dp/0380717093/ref=sr_1_6/102-6254169-0614523?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1191120048&sr=8-6 By the way, how do you hyper-link text so you can just click on it? |
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Thomas M. Wagner
Sep 29th, 2007 - 9:12 PM |
Re: Reader opinions sought for idea I have
Basic HTML hyperlinking tutorial. Fantastic Fiction tells me Jablokov only wrote 5 novels, so he's a guy I could probably take care of fairly quickly. I know I have a copy of Carve the Sky around here someplace. |
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Breen Young
May 2nd, 2008 - 7:35 PM |
Re: Reader opinions sought for idea I have
Hi, I know you have lots of books to read and as many reviews to write but I'm patiently waiting for some Gene Wolfe:) Love this website! Keep it up....... |
Joel Calhoun
May 3rd, 2008 - 7:53 AM |
Re: Reader opinions sought for idea I have
Might as well throw in my two cents and suggest A.E. Van Vogt...especially since that's at least one author that hasn't been covered...also, Kevin J. Anderson (who I saw at Dragon-Con last year) completed what would've his last book...a sequel to "Slan" called "Slan Hunter". Unfortunately, van Vogt came down with Alzheimer's and was unable to finish it. Luckily, he left enough notes for Anderson to complete it. Besides "Slan" I'd suggest "The Voyage of the Space Beagle" because a) it's being reprinted by Tor via its' Orb TPB reprint line and b) it served as a precursor to "Star Trek". Another Van Vogt book I'd recommend is "Cosmic Encounter", a later work (published in 1980) that has a pirate ship in the 18th Century deal with two spaceships from the distant future, one of which is a battleship crewed by robots. That one may be a little harder to find as it's not in print. For a more recent author, I'd recommend Timothy Zahn (whom I also saw at Dragon-Con). Yes, he's become known for his "Star Wars" novelizations, but before that, he had already established a solid (if not spectacular career) in the field. In fact, he's probably the only author who doesn't have an official website, no doubt spending a lot of his finishing his next novel.  Anyway, a couple of his more recent and non-SW books: Angelmass Manta's Gift The Green and the Grey Night Train to Rigel & it's sequel The Third Lynx In addition Baen Books has reprinted some of his early works...notably the "Cobra" & "Blackcollar" series of military SF. That should do for a starter...hope this helps. |
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Peter Roberti
May 11th, 2008 - 12:33 PM |
Re: Reader opinions sought for idea I have
I have to chime in on Gene Wolfe. I am a relative newcomer to sci-fi. I just finished Shadow & Claw. Wolfe is a revelation. I am looking forward to the next two books in the series. I am sorry it took me this long to find him. This site is terrific. I now have a laundry list to read. So more Gene Wolfe reviews would be really cool. How about reviews of the better graphic novels ? |
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Thomas M. Wagner
May 11th, 2008 - 4:07 PM |
Re: Reader opinions sought for idea I have
Graphic novels I'm not into, though I've read a handful I like (they tend to be the alternative and underground ones, not SF or superhero). But with so many votes for Gene Wolfe, I will say...more is on the way! |
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James
May 16th, 2008 - 1:24 AM |
Re: Reader opinions sought for idea I have
There are so many to choose from, and most of the greats (past and present) are already mentioned. Here is my list of possible authors: Michael Moorcock Jonathan Carroll Stephen Donaldson K. W. Jeter Ian McDonald Richard Morgan James Morrow Christopher Priest Geoff Ryman Tim Powers James P. Blaylock Sheri S. Tepper Karen Traviss There were so many more I could have listed. It seems a shame that so many authors and novels will go unread in the average person's lifetime. We need to make sure that we pick and choose our reads wisely.  Personally, I would love to see a review of The Digging Leviathan by James P. Blaylock on this site sometime. |
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Joel Calhoun
Jun 10th, 2008 - 5:55 AM |
Re: Reader opinions sought for idea I have
Ok, I have another recommendation..."War for the Oaks" by Emma Bull. It's one of the most liked of the "urban fantasy" genre. |
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Abe
Jun 19th, 2008 - 11:55 AM |
Re: Reader opinions sought for idea I have
How about Phillip K. Dick? It surprises me you have'nt reviewed any books by him. |
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Carly
Jul 1st, 2008 - 7:46 PM |
Re: Reader opinions sought for idea I have
Oh my god, I can't believe I haven't seen any Garth Nix in here. Garth Nix titles, in order of relevance and importance: Sabriel Lirael Abhorsen Shade's Children Also, thanks for your review of Havemercy - I'm a huge fan of Jaida Jones' from her large body of work on the internet, and I enjoyed your perspective even though I'd already bought the book before I found this page. |
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Thomas M. Wagner
Jul 1st, 2008 - 7:59 PM |
Re: Reader opinions sought for idea I have
You're right about Nix. I've been wanting to catch up with him for ages. Especially as I've also heard very strong praise for his Keys to the Kingdom series. Thanks! |
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Carly
Jul 1st, 2008 - 8:52 PM |
Re: Reader opinions sought for idea I have
I haven't actually gotten into his K2tK yet - I was mildly put off by the Dark Tower series and haven't revisited his more recent stuff since. While I have your attention, I do have something of an odd question for you -- my focus in the world of sci-fi/fantasy has been relatively narrow up til now, and I was wondering if you could recommend any sci-fi or fantasy novels that capitalize on or otherwise incorporate elements of the Western genre? Futuristic space-cowboy stories a la Firefly are okay, though classic, real-as-corn Westerns are much to be preferred if anything comes to mind. Oh, and thanks for putting Nix on your list. ;) |
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Thomas M. Wagner
Jul 1st, 2008 - 10:34 PM |
Re: Reader opinions sought for idea I have
Nothing I've read recently leaps to mind, though it occurs to me that Stephen King's Dark Tower series, with its protagonist the Gunslinger, certainly seems to incorporate Western iconography into its fantasy milieu. I haven't finished the series yet, mainly because I remember picking up book one way back in the day and being a little flummoxed/underwhelmed by it. I hear they get better. If I can think of anything more I'll let you know. |
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Carly
Jul 1st, 2008 - 10:49 PM |
Re: Reader opinions sought for idea I have
Hm. Well I'm actually working on the Gunslinger series right now. I'll admit I had a similar reaction to yours initially, in spite of the fact that the storytelling in and of itself was oddly compelling. But friends swear by it, so I'm giving it a chance. *shrug* Thanks for your thoughts, and do let me know if anything comes to you. |
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Lorelei
Jul 31st, 2008 - 5:45 PM |
Re: Reader opinions sought for idea I have
A few spring to mind: Ursula K LeGuin (any and all, recently "Lavinia" was extremely enjoyable) Robin McKinley ("Sunshine", "Dragonhaven", etc) These two authors were instrumental in my changeover from general young adult fiction to actual SF/fantasy "literature." They really deserve notice. McKinley is often pegged as a YA author, but this seems to be mostly because of a general lack of explicit sexual situations. The quality of the prose is as high as anything marketed to adults (often higher). That said, "Deerskin" and "Sunshine" are specifically released as adult titles because of certain aforementioned elements. (It must be said however that because of your site I've discovered many authors that I hadn't read before.) |
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kyrilson
Aug 21st, 2008 - 5:44 PM |
Re: Reader opinions sought for idea I have
Two writers immediately come to mind: Iain M. Banks Walter Jon Williams The latter is vastly, vastly underrated. So underrated that alot of his stuff is out of print, unfortunately. :-( Check out his Dread Empire's Fall trilogy (which is in print) for space opera. For cyberpunk, check out Hardwired. Aristoi, Days of Atonement, Voice of the Whirlwind and Metropolitan are other standout novels (at least to me). |
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Theodor
Aug 27th, 2008 - 11:25 AM |
Re: Reader opinions sought for idea I have
Two great authors that you have missed are: Robin Hobb and Brandon Sanderson. Really good books... |
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Thomas M. Wagner
Aug 27th, 2008 - 11:51 AM |
Re: Reader opinions sought for idea I have
Sanderson is happening in September. |
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kyrilson
Sep 21st, 2008 - 5:04 PM |
Re: Reader opinions sought for idea I have
I am currently reading the first book in the Mistborn Trilogy by Brandon Sanderson. Very, very enjoyable read so far. He has annotations of his books on his website, as well, so after I finish a chapter, I read the annotations for that chapter. It's a great way to get some insight into the author's mindset as he's writing and why he did things a certain way, etc. I'm kicking myself for not discovering this guy sooner, seems like a great person as well as a good writer. 
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