Sci-Fi must reads?

[javasaurus]

Asimov, Bradbury, Heinlein. These are some of the fathers of sci-fi (where Shelley, Verne, and Wells would be the grandparents). But there are others that are the uncles and aunts. Who do you recommend? James Blish? Poul Anderson? Robert Silverberg? Andre Norton? A.E. Van Vogt?

What authors/books of the 60s and 70s do you think a well-read sci-fi fan should read, but might have missed?

Comments

[acroyear70.livejournal.com]

You missed Clarke. :)

I think younger readers should read Tom Swift (Victor Appleton).

[javasaurus.livejournal.com]

I didn't "miss" Clarke, I simply didn't include my whole list. Here's my list of authors that I have read, or feel I should have read (and I'll ask in advance that I not be graded on spelling).

Early authors:
HGWells, Jules Verne, JRR Tolkien, Bram Stoker, C.S. Lewis, Victor Hugo, Mary Shelly, Lovelace (King Kong), Jonathan Swift, Stevenson (Jekyll/Hyde)

The "fathers/mothers/uncles/aunts"
Asimov, Bradbury, Heinlein, Poul Anderson, Arthur C. Clarke, Lovecraft, Farmer, Ellison, LeGuin, A.E.Van Vogt, Jack Vance, Robert Silverburg, Kurt Vonegut Jr., Gene Wolfe, Saberhagen, Andre Norton, Aldous Huxley, George Orwell, Leinster, Leiber, Sturgeon, Blish, Lester Del Rey

Slightly later...
Douglas Adams, Piers Anthony, Robert Asprin, Marion Zimmer Bradley, Stephen Donaldson, David Eddings, Ann McCaffrey, L.Ron Hubbard, Michael Moorcock, Larry Niven, Harry Harrison, Keith Laumer, Haldeman (there were two brothers -- Jack and Joe, I think), Frank Herbert, Zelazney, Jack Williamson, Ben Bova, Jean M. Auel, Lloyd Alexander, the Lampoons (Bored of the Rings, Doon)

More modern
Terry Brooks, Orson Scott Card, Charles De Lint, L E Modesitt Jr., Terry Goodkind, Katherine Kurtz, Robert Jordan, Brian Jacques, George RR Martin, William Gibson, Neil Gaiman, Neal Stephenson, Eric Flint

[acroyear70.livejournal.com]

I thought Haldeman was a Watergate conspirator?

(ok, i'm running away now...)

[acroyear70.livejournal.com]

Sagan's Contact is worth the read, I think. It owes a lot to classic sci-fi (where human behaviour and bureaucracy more affect the outcome than the "science" does).

One thing is that there is Science Fiction, and then there is Space Fantasy, and the background one should read to know where modern writers are influenced is slightly different. You don't need Asimov to know Larry Niven, but knowing Asimov or Clarke really helps to know where Carl Sagan was coming from.

[javasaurus.livejournal.com]

Ack! How did I miss Sagan on my list?!? (I loved his (non-fiction) Cosmos when I was in college).

As for sci-fi vs. space fantasy, I agree that the difference can be important. I'm not sure I'd necessarily put Niven into the fantasy camp (and I'm not sure if that's what you were suggesting either) -- his style is more "fun" than Asimov or Clarke, but he has a lot more science in his work than many authors of the genre.

But how does one learn, 30 to 40 years after-the-fact, which authors influenced which? And it's also difficult to relate popular science of the time to the fiction being published then.

[acroyear70.livejournal.com]

But how does one learn, 30 to 40 years after-the-fact, which authors influenced which?

yeah, that's an issue. there's loads of history and commentary that still exists on influences in "textbook" literature, but most of the commentary on influences within the sci-fi/fantasy world tend to be in fan magazines long out of print. its all in existance somewhere, but not compiled in a way that will sell.

maybe wikipedia is one place where some people who have the original sources may be posting summaries. they've done it for other genres like movies and music...

[queenmaggie.livejournal.com]

Clifford Simak. Zelazny. Jerry Pournelle. Niven. Ursula LeGuin. Madeleine L'Engle. Best. Kornbluth.
I remember them, but I also remember being blown away by the next generation when the younger (ie, my age) crowd started writing. It seemed that suddenly, even though there was (still) a lot of crap, there was also so much more really good stuff.

[javasaurus.livejournal.com]

Why is the name Simak ringing a bell?

Thanks for the names -- they're going on the list! Any particular works you'd suggest?

[culfinriel.livejournal.com]

Did you have Philip K Dick on there somewhere?

[javasaurus.livejournal.com]

No, I think I missed 'im. Thanks!

[werewulf.livejournal.com]

Where's Alfred Bester? The Stars My Destination and the Demolished Man are CLASSICS!!

I'd also like to recommend H. Beam Piper and James Schmitz!!

Nice list by the way, brought back some good memories!

[xpioti.livejournal.com]

Murray Leinster must be added to your list as well; I've only read MedShip and Planets of Adventure via the Baen Free Library, but both are excellent. I just stumbled across Christopher Anvil there; haven't read his stuff yet but he comes highly recommended. I also like Aaron Allston, Lois McMaster Bujold, David Drake, David Weber, and John Ringo; Ryk Spoor looks promising. Duncan Long's Anti-Grav Unlimited is a fun read as well. :)