SciFi discussion - Science Fiction

[Caster]

Hhgttg

Well, I was thinking about putting this in the Star Trek thread, but I'm afraid that would have derailed it.... suspect that few of you knew this, but I'm an avid SciFi fan, and I'm convinced I'm not alone in the Cove in that respect....A few of my favourites, not necessarily in this order:

Douglas Adams - The Hitchhikers series.

In short, I want to discuss Sci Fi... Any takers?

/Claes

Claes

I just found a VHS of the original BBC Hitchikers Guide TV program for $3.00 at a used book store. I remember seeing it when it was first broadcast. My kids love it. Dry British wit.

A movie is coming out shortly. Hope they don't ruin it.

http://hitchhikers.movies.go.com/main.html

Did anyone mention Ray Bradbury? How about Harlan Ellison?

Like you, I just plow through books. The internet is a powerful drug for me. I spend countless hours on the NASA history site.

I like science in my SF, so the old school rocket ship adventures are my preference.

Interesting thread! Thanks - I've got some new authors to look up.

 

[wmarhel]

Weird Tales

In the 50's, all of these stories (Sword & Sorcery, Sci-Fi, Gothic Horror, supernatural) were to be found in a bookstore section labeled "Fantasy & Science Fiction" and I spent many furtive hours reading collections of short stories crouched down in the aisle because I couldn't afford to buy the book and my library wouldn't carry such "trash." I was so happy when they started coming out directly in paperback and I could buy a 250 page book for only 3 times the cost of a 32 page comic book.

I've actually managed to collect eight editions of "Weird Tales". At the very least there was some original ideas in the stories. Lovecraft was especially good, given that there was none of the "in-your-face" gore and he left much to the imagination.

Wayne

 

[wmarhel]

"WYRM" by Mark Fabi is an interesting read covering the gamut from Quantum Theory, computer viruses, to the Y2K virus. It made for a more interesting story around the time of the Y2K paranoia, but it's an easy read.

Another series which crosses sci-fi and fantasy is the Coldfire Trilogy by C.S. Friedman. The first book is Black Sun Rising

 

[Ron Rompen]

Can't believe it took me so long, but I have FINALLY discovered 'Callahan's Crosstime Saloon' series (Spider Robinson). Really great read, and I wish I had gone down to Key West 'back in the day'.

I have been a fan of the 'Thieves World' series since it first came out (I was an avid AD&D player/DM, starting out when Gary Gygax was an unknown, and the game was 'Chainmail Minatures') plus the offshoots (the series about Lythande was particularly good).

Anyone else reading any of R. David Eddings works? I compare him (favorably) to JRR....perhaps not ALL the historical depth and detail that the master had, but enough to make the books interesting, without overwhelming the average reader in an ISO-esque barrage of information.

 

[Al Dyer]

Has anybody had the pleasure to read R.U.R.---Rossum's Universal Robots? A real oldie (1920) by Karl Capek? My first exposure to science fiction when I was about 12 years old. (yes, an eternity ago)


Al...

 

[Wes Bucey]

Has anybody had the pleasure to read R.U.R.---Rossum's Universal Robots? A real oldie (1920) by Karl Capek? My first exposure to science fiction when I was about 12 years old. (yes, an eternity ago)


Al...

Always lots of discussion among aficionados whether it should be Capek or Kapek, Karl or Karel. Interested folks might like to read the translation of a script of the play (which came first before the novelization) http://www.mindfully.org/Reform/RUR-Capek-1920.htm
(this is just an excerpt from the opening scene - I once saw the entire play in English, but the acting was terrible and I didn't like it.)

Thanks for reminding me about this, Al.

 

[Claes Gefvenberg]

There is another early SciFi writer I have forgotten to mention: Jules Verne, who as it happens died in 1905, on this day 100 years ago... Have a look at Jules Verne - Biography and Works.

Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea and From the Earth to the Moon must count as SciFi.


/Claes

 

[Craig H.]

I don 't know if all of his work is considered sci-fi, but does anyone else like Kurt Vonnegut?

http://www.inthesetimes.com/site/main/article/cold_turkey/

 

[Hershal]

Gee........I feel under-read.........but anyone who wants to meet at Quarks.......let me know..........if we work out the schedule, I got the first round..........

Quarks is at ST:TE at the Vegas Hilton

Hershal

 

[Caster]

Genius

I don 't know if all of his work is considered sci-fi, but does anyone else like Kurt Vonnegut?

I never understood "modern art" until I read Bluebeard...the man's a genius IMO.

Hey, is it just me or do others share the compulsion to try to find and read everything a new favorite author has ever written?