Ghunk,
I don't particularly regard Hard SF as fine literature. But if you are after some well written weird work go after Clark Ashton Smith's stuff. (Xiccarff, Zothique, Hyperborea, Poseidonis) Ballentine had a fantasy series in the '70's that reprinted a lot of old works. Lord Dunsony, (Well at the Worlds End) did a few that are beautiful. H.Rider Haggard (She, King Solomon's Mines) occasionally comes up with some poetic work. My collection is in a box somewhere so I can
not peruse it to get the names and titles. I'll look. It is mostly collector stuff now, even the reprints, and hard to find however.
I read Phil Farmer, Jack Vance, David Drake.... A lot of this stuff is for 12 year old boys, but getting by that some of the places these guys manage to create are bizarre and entertaining. Larry Niven did some good stuff in the 70's and he and Gerry Pournelli teamed up for a few good ones. I don't much care for where they have gone now. I've been reading this stuff for so long its hard to pick out
authors...if you like Hienlien there are a boat load of reprints of his works out now. Again, he had a market to satisfiy...boys, 12 years and older. So some of it can be page turning stuff. Starship troopers was actually a pretty good tale. I don't really recall the book having much of a resemblance to the movie. David Drake has worked with another author on a few stories that take place in the time of the roman empire...which I liked.
I stay away from anything with pixies, fairies, wizards, or young girls with crystal balls in their hands pictured on the cover. In today's market that pretty much limits the choices. I also try and stay away from anything that is part of a series. If you want that stuff go read the real one...pick up Lord of the Rings. Its well
written and you can get your fill of charming little dwarfs in a few books.....and since it was so 'in' for so long there are always copies around in used book stores!
Like I said before I buy based on the amount of violent action, strange places, and bizarre thought. I'm not interested in finding a revelation in the pages of pulp science fiction. I prefer they shoot each other and get on with the War.
regards,
mnmuench |
