Favorite Sci-Fi Author

[AceHarddrive]

Hey y'all!

I chose "Other." My favs include:

1. Douglas Adams ("Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy")
2. Elizabeth Moon (Esmay Suiza/Heris Serrano series)

~Tim

 

[BrownCoat]

Elizabeth Moon wrote some enjoyable space opera.

 

[ravenscape]

It's a tie. My two favorites are Herbert's Dune and Heinlein's Moon is a Harsh Mistress. Catch me on another day and I'll tell you something different.

On the fantasy vs SF discussion, I wonder how one would classify the Darkover novels. I call them SF.

Harlan Ellison tried to coin a new meaning for SF. It caught on, at least for a while. It wasn't his goal, but his suggested meaning did make room for the hybrid concepts: Speculative Fiction. His short story, Deathbird would be a good example of that hybrid space.

 

[Blackmarch]

Okay, the poll only allows ten options, so the "other" option will probably get the most hits, but I'm wondering what answers I'll get. Who's your favorite sci-fi author, and what's your favorite book/series by that author?

I'll start. My favorite author is Timothy Zahn, and I especially like The Icarus Hunt.

Very nice. you may want to try the draganback series. Also check out the Conquerer's trilogy by zahn.

didn't vote because there is more than 1 fave author in the list (and others that are not);

Ray Bradbury, isaac asimov, Alan dean foster, David Brin, CJ Cherryh, Robert Jordan, Douglas Adams, Heinlein, Arhtur C Clarke, Jules Verne, Burroughs, Timothy Zahn, Barlowe, Miyasaki, Rumiko Takahashi, Meredith Ann Pierce, WaRP, Weis and Hickman, terry Brooks, Tolkien, frank Herbert.

 

[Fledge]

Very nice. you may want to try the draganback series. Also check out the Conquerer's trilogy by zahn. <snip>

Has he finished a third dragonback book? (I couldn't believe it when he brought in another character who's obviously interested in tracking Jack down at the end of book #2, and I want to see whether he'll keep casting a wider net in #3.)

I made the mistake of reading the Conquerer's trilogy too many times in too short a time period, and will probably have to abstain for a while before I can enjoy it again ( I wish that I had a Corvine... )

His Star Wars stuff is pretty good to, and I'm pretty sure that the Heir to the Empire trilogy is the officially authorised extension of the original movie episodes.

 

[Blackmarch]

Has he finished a third dragonback book? (I couldn't believe it when he brought in another character who's obviously interested in tracking Jack down at the end of book #2, and I want to see whether he'll keep casting a wider net in #3.)

I made the mistake of reading the Conquerer's trilogy too many times in too short a time period, and will probably have to abstain for a while before I can enjoy it again ( I wish that I had a Corvine... )

His Star Wars stuff is pretty good to, and I'm pretty sure that the Heir to the Empire trilogy is the officially authorised extension of the original movie episodes.

Don't know if he's finished the third; still trying to find the second (the local library has just the first.. grrr...)

LoL yes a corvine would be nice to have

Have heard by rumor that George lucas has basically said that timothy zahn has the official say so for things after the movie episodes.

 

[Yahweh Nissi]

Man, I cannot believe I forgot CS Lewis! His SF trillogy ("Out of the Silent Planet", "Perelandra" and "That Hideous Strength") is not nearly so well known as the Narnia series, but it is the same excellent writing. That Hideous Strength is also interesting to consider regarding the 'what is SF, what is Fantasy' debate. The first two are certainly SF, but the third certainly blurs the lines, and taken by itself would probably be considered more fantasy - but set in the modern world, rather than the past or an imaginary world.

 

[jochanaan]

On the fantasy vs SF discussion, I wonder how one would classify the Darkover novels. I call them SF.

Technically, you're right since they're "future hustory;" but they feel like fantasy, especially the ones set before the Terran Empire "rediscovered" Darkover. Same with Anne McCaffrey's Dragons of Pern series and especially Terry Brooks' Shannara series; they're technically SF--future history again--but for all intent and effect they're fantasy.

Harlan Ellison tried to coin a new meaning for SF. It caught on, at least for a while. It wasn't his goal, but his suggested meaning did make room for the hybrid concepts: Speculative Fiction. His short story, Deathbird would be a good example of that hybrid space.

I've used that phrase myself. It's a good one, covering anything from LOTR to 2001 to the latest space opera.

 

[merryheart]

CJ Cherryh

 

[DarthDigger]

Anthony Horowitz for sci-fi!

 

[HisJavajunkie]

Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman write together many series. My fav. is Chronicles Trilogy.

 

[Selznak]

If I were to go strictly by the names on the list I would have to choose Heinlein. Two favorites of mine not on the list would be L. Neil Smith and David Brin.

 

[Aras]

I wanted to say Timothy Zahn but alas Karen Traviss' Wess'Har series is pure art.

 

[Ainuhina]

Douglas Adams - Hitchhickers guide...

 

[Calvinist Dark Lord]

Man, I cannot believe I forgot CS Lewis! His SF trillogy ("Out of the Silent Planet", "Perelandra" and "That Hideous Strength") is not nearly so well known as the Narnia series, but it is the same excellent writing. That Hideous Strength is also interesting to consider regarding the 'what is SF, what is Fantasy' debate. The first two are certainly SF, but the third certainly blurs the lines, and taken by itself would probably be considered more fantasy - but set in the modern world, rather than the past or an imaginary world.

Greetings,

i'd have to say That Hideous Strength was probably the most frightening book i've ever read. Yes, the Science was 30-50 years out of date...at the time it was written, but when one looks at the N.I.C.E., how could one NOT see modern corporations, and corporate agendas? i've worked for people like Frost, Steel, and Wither, and met politicians like Devine.

Actually, it's NOT fantasy. Lewis based the writing on an earlier essay called The Abolition of Man That booklet (it was only about 74 pages), was also truly frightening. The most frightening thing about those books is that the "predictions" (such as they were) are coming true. Still and all, That Hideous Strength was indeed science fiction. The powers that preserved Merlin are the same powers that Ransom experiences in Out of the Silent Planet and Prelandera.

 

[Calvinist Dark Lord]

Okay, the poll only allows ten options, so the "other" option will probably get the most hits, but I'm wondering what answers I'll get. Who's your favorite sci-fi author, and what's your favorite book/series by that author?

I'll start. My favorite author is Timothy Zahn, and I especially like The Icarus Hunt.

Greetings,

i'm VERY surprised that you didn't include Harry Turtledove on your poll. Technically, Alternate History is a branch of science fiction, but it is an obscure one. The man has been prolific as of late, producing several series, and a couple of "independent" works. Right now i'm working my way through SETTLING ACCOUNTS: The Drive to the East, which postulates WWII in a place where the South won the Civil War in 1862. The book series started with a book set in 1881 called How Few Remain.

As far as more "generic" science fiction, my favorite writer would still have to be Jerry Pournelle. i haven't seen any works from him the last few years.

 

[cwolf20]

Alan Dean Foster

 

[Manakin]

Heinlein, ftw.

Job:A Parody of Justice=priceless.

On another note, I must admit to being somewhat pained to see David Weber in that list. I'll admit to having read almost all of his books, but they're a guilty pleasure. Something on the order of Tom Clancy in space. <shrug> Not on par with most of the rest of the list, imho.

-Manakin

 

[NiteClerk]

C. J. Cherryh. She has the Faded Sun trilogy, and a really good universe built around space merchanters, space stations, and the Alliance.

Pax;

BoB

 

[BrownCoat]

Heinlein, ftw.

Job:A Parody of Justice=priceless.

On another note, I must admit to being somewhat pained to see David Weber in that list. I'll admit to having read almost all of his books, but they're a guilty pleasure. Something on the order of Tom Clancy in space. <shrug> Not on par with most of the rest of the list, imho.

-Manakin

I've enjoyed all of David Weber's books except for Crown of Slaves.

They are a guilty pleasure, but I still enjoy them.

David Drake's sci-fi action scenes are much better though.