Favorite Sci-Fi Author

[Nienor]

From Wikipedia
"Science fiction is a genre of fiction in which advances in science, or contact with more scientifically advanced civilizations, create situations different from those of both the present day and the known past."

I don't see large amounts of science in 1984. Sure there is scientific advances, but that isn't the focus of the novel. It's barely mentioned. I think a world like 1984 is very possible now, though the technology might not be exactly the same. Basically, there is science, but not radical enough for it to be scifi for me.
Also, from reading a lot of Orwell's other works, it doesn't fit with his style. Orwell isn't a scifi writer, all of his other books (except Animal Farm) are attacks on poverty and criticisms on social class.

 

[fatpie42]

From Wikipedia
"Science fiction is a genre of fiction in which advances in science, or contact with more scientifically advanced civilizations, create situations different from those of both the present day and the known past."

I don't see large amounts of science in 1984. Sure there is scientific advances, but that isn't the focus of the novel. It's barely mentioned. I think a world like 1984 is very possible now, though the technology might not be exactly the same. Basically, there is science, but not radical enough for it to be scifi for me.
Also, from reading a lot of Orwell's other works, it doesn't fit with his style. Orwell isn't a scifi writer, all of his other books (except Animal Farm) are attacks on poverty and criticisms on social class.

I never said Orwell was a sci-fi writer. I simply said that 1984 was a sci-fi novel. I don't see why Orwell's other books should make any difference.

It seems to me that Orwell's book was about how the advances in technology would lead to constant surveillance of our every move. I know that seems very much like modern day, but at the time Orwell was writing it was very futuristic indeed.

Advances in technology is one of the major focusses of Orwell's book and just because Orwell predicted many of the advances TOO accurately doesn't make it no longer sci-fi.

 

[Nienor]

I still disagree. I think Orwell's other works have a bearing on 1984 and I don't think 1984 is Scifi. But I don't think we're going to manage to agree on this....

 

[fatpie42]

I still disagree. I think Orwell's other works have a bearing on 1984 and I don't think 1984 is Scifi. But I don't think we're going to manage to agree on this....

Oh well.... at least I've got a better idea of WHY you don't think it's sci-fi. Can't ask for more than that.

 

[KintaroOe]

I was going to vote for other for R A Salvatore, he does write some sci-fi, but he really shines with fantasy.

So I have to give it to Isaac Asimov, I read more fantasy than sci-fi so I am no sci-fi expert, but Isaacs books really shine. I hear Orson Scott Card is a really good sci-fi author as well, I have Ender's Game waiting in my pile of books to read yet.

 

[Briseis]

I never said Orwell was a sci-fi writer. I simply said that 1984 was a sci-fi novel. I don't see why Orwell's other books should make any difference.

It seems to me that Orwell's book was about how the advances in technology would lead to constant surveillance of our every move. I know that seems very much like modern day, but at the time Orwell was writing it was very futuristic indeed.

Advances in technology is one of the major focusses of Orwell's book and just because Orwell predicted many of the advances TOO accurately doesn't make it no longer sci-fi.

Very well said.

I love 1984. It is one of my favourites.

 

[Mskedi]

I like the classic writers best, I think: HG Wells, Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury, Frank Herbert, George Orwell, Aldous Huxley...

And for those of you saying that 1984 doesn't count as sci-fi, I must disagree. A large percentage of science fiction is political in nature.

 

[Lake]

Verne -the pioneer of science fiction! What,only I think so? Cripes!