Favourite Science Fiction Writer - Page 3

DJDD · #41 21-11-2008, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 33South

Clifford Simak - "Way Station" Could have been a Prequel to MIB

"By His Bootstraps" was a sign of things to come - Heinleins first publication under the name Anson MacDonald way back in 1941

"Way Station" is one of the best novels ever written.

Big call but...

"By His Bootstraps"- did not know that was by "Heinlein" but the title does sound like it was.

Terry B · #42 21-11-2008, 09:28 AM

A curious thing about some of the older sci fi. I read some stories written in the 40's recently and the thing that struck me was that all the characters smoked. How times have changed.

DJDD · #43 21-11-2008, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terry B

A curious thing about some of the older sci fi. I read some stories written in the 40's recently and the thing that struck me was that all the characters smoked. How times have changed.

the smoking things was always something to laugh at (or scratch your head) when born after the '60s.

and in some cases times have not changed (or are swinging back?)

for example, in soem of heinlein's earlier work he would state that women could do anything men could do but as soon as a woman was married/had children she had to stay at home, and was suddenly not able to think for herself. I think Heinlein had progressive views on gender but had to make a buck so wrote for his times and audience, too. That audience woudl not have appreciated the feminist movement...

MrB (Simon) · #44 21-11-2008, 11:24 AM

Already mentioned but definitelly have to mention again:
Douglas Adams
Philip K. Dick

For anyone not familiar with Philip K Dick, you'd be familiar with movie adaptations of his stories. He wrote mainly short stories in the 50's to 70's and more than likely while on drugs.
Films:
Blade Runner... based on the story Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
Total Recall... based on the story We Can Remember It For You Wholesale
Minority Report... though does deviate from the book in a few places.
Screamers... based on the story Second Variety
Impostor... written in '53, adapted to movie twice, in '62 and again in 2002(with Gary Sinise). One of my favourite short stories, probably because it was the first PKD story I read, tho from memory was only about 3 or 4 pages long.

JohnH · #45 21-11-2008, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrB

For anyone not familiar with Philip K Dick, you'd be familiar with movie adaptations of his stories. He wrote mainly short stories in the 50's to 70's and more than likely while on drugs.
Films:
Blade Runner... based on the story Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
Total Recall... based on the story We Can Remember It For You Wholesale
Minority Report... though does deviate from the book in a few places.
Screamers... based on the story Second Variety
Impostor... written in '53, adapted to movie twice, in '62 and again in 2002(with Gary Sinise). One of my favourite short stories, probably because it was the first PKD story I read, tho from memory was only about 3 or 4 pages long.

And do not forget Next - adapted from 1954 short story "The Golden Man" a great movie starring Nicolas Cage....

TrevorW · #46 21-11-2008, 08:05 PM

Seen all the movie adaptations of his books but never read any.

It's like Stephen King I think I've seen a dozen of the movies but only read one book

jungle11 (Greg) · #47 21-11-2008, 10:00 PM

Can't knock Stephen King - I've never read another writer who had his 'magic' with words. There are excellent writers - then there's King. Read all his books, only wish he wrote sci-fi.
There's this one short story he did - cannot remember what it was called. About this guy who is sent on a space mission to Venus. There turns out to be this semi-intelligent electrical lifeform there and unbeknown to our hero, he becomes 'infected' with it. Back on earth he grows an eye on his hand as this thing works out how to use his body. The story describes the alien's impressions of earth (utter shock and horror because we are in turn completely alien to the creature)......its cool
sorry....anybody know what this story was called - it was one of his very early ones.

cheers

GeoffW1 (Geoff) · #48 21-11-2008, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jungle11

Can't knock Stephen King - I've never read another writer who had his 'magic' with words. There are excellent writers - then there's King. Read all his books, only wish he wrote sci-fi.

Hi,

He does - the Dark Tower series. Roland is a gunfighter there.

Cheers

firstlight (Tony) · #49 22-11-2008, 01:23 AM

Philip K Dick was an author I've read, but I'm ashamed to say that I can't think of any other story than "Do Androids...", but Blade Runner gets my vote as best sci-fi movie, closely followed by "Alien" and "Silent Running".

acropolite (Phil) · #50 22-11-2008, 08:17 AM

I have to agree with Tony on Juilan May, the Saga of the exiles is an excellent series, together with the Galactic mileu trilogy, 8 books that tie together in a fascinating way. The Rampart worlds trilogy is quite a good read as well. Julian May is a woman BTW.

I too enjoyed "When Gravity Fails" by George Alec Effinger mentioned previously by Grant.

Isaac Asimov would have to be high on the list particularly I Robot.

jungle11 (Greg) · #51 22-11-2008, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeoffW1

Hi,

He does - the Dark Tower series. Roland is a gunfighter there.

Cheers

Your right Geoff, loved the Dark tower, and stories like It, (one of the best alien concepts i have read) The Tommyknockers, The Mist, The Running Man, Dreamcatcher.....

What i should have said was, 'i wish he wrote more sci-fi.' Preferably hard sci-fi, but then it proberly wouldn't be steven king if he did.

Thanks

sjastro · #52 22-11-2008, 10:58 AM

I've only read two science fiction books in my life.

Brave New World:- Aldous Huxley
Macroscope:- Piers Anthony

Probably it explains why I am so improverished culturally.

I've been trying to get my hands on Somnium by Johannes Kepler supposedly the first science fiction novel written.

Regards

Steven

MrB (Simon) · #53 23-11-2008, 02:33 PM

Slightly off topic, sorry.
Having mentioned that Total Recall is adapted from Philip K Dick's We can remember it for you wholesale, and being aware of the many Star Trek fans on IIS....
Has anyone here ever noticed the automated taxi's in Total Recall.... the driver in particular?
Next time you see it, look closely at the robotic face, and listen to it's voice.... then think of this line: "Please state the nature of the medical emergency"

Glenhuon (Bill) · #54 23-11-2008, 02:56 PM

There's one story, that I can't remember the author of, which sticks in my mind. Its about a guy who emigrates to a new planet and gets himself elected president and is given a gold chain witha small box to wear around his neck as a badge of office. What he does'nt know is that all residents vote on his decisions with a couple of buttons in their homes. Too many negative votes and it explodes and blows his head off

We should adopt this idea.

Bill

DJDD · #55 23-11-2008, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sjastro

I've only read two science fiction books in my life.

are you a child prodigy, Steven?
how can you be old enough to answer advanced physics questions yet only have read two science fiction novels?

sjastro · #56 23-11-2008, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJDD

are you a child prodigy, Steven?

Oh yeah if only.............
Childish maybe, prodigy no.

Steven

phobos (John) · #57 24-11-2008, 02:37 PM

I am a fan of many already listed such as Asimov, Clarke and E.E. Doc Smith however there are 2 others that should be mentioned as well.

Ray Bradbury and Greg Bear.

firstlight (Tony) · #58 24-11-2008, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phobos

I am a fan of many already listed such as Asimov, Clarke and E.E. Doc Smith however there are 2 others that should be mentioned as well.

Ray Bradbury and Greg Bear.

Agreed

jungle11 (Greg) · #59 24-11-2008, 07:27 PM

I might add Gregory Benford to the list.

Wasn't overly impressed with his stories, but his concepts of aliens and descriptions of places around the galaxy were cool.

Clarry (Clayton) · #60 24-11-2008, 11:31 PM

Sci-Fi series are always a winning formula in my opinion. There’s something captivating about getting stuck into a saga where you feel you know the characters so well.
As I’m sure most of you will agree, it’s hard to go past Asimov’s Foundation & Robot series. But there are plenty of others. Julian May’s Exile series is fabulous, as is David Brin’s Uplift stories. Dan Simmons is another must read with his Hyperion books. Peter F. Hamilton’s Night’s Dawn Trilogy is one of the most involved & complex, yet fantastic stories I’ve ever read. The Ender series by Orson Scott Card must be mentioned too. Let’s not forget the Dune books. I’m currently reading David Niven’s Ringworld series and loving it.
Then there’s the stand alone novels that will always be my favourites. Joe Haldeman’s Forever War is stunning. I think I can put Enders Game in this lot too, although it’s part of a series it’s a fabulous single book also. Harry Harrison wrote a humorous Sci-Fi called Billy the Galactic Hero. If you can get your hands, on it read it. A. A. Attanasio The Last Legends of Earth, another good read.
There’s no way I could name a single author, they’re all so different.