sims@hou2b.UUCP (J.SIMESTER) (01/12/84)
About 2 weeks ago I posted a request for recommendations for SF
authors, especially those whose writings are based around some "other"
world/universe. Well, friends and neighbors, the results are in. I'd like
to thank the hundreds of netters (well, at least 16) who took the time
to send responses - the suggestions are much appreciated!! Since
there was some interest voiced in the responses, I have summarized
the recommendations below. Unfortunately, a local disk became
seriously ill last week, and I lost a few authors in the crash - my
apologies to the respondents whose ideas are not included.
The listing below is alphabetical, with any name of a series and/or
any recommended titles following. By the way, I'm taking all names/titles
directly from my mail, so kindly refrain from searing my CRT with complaints
of spelling, etc.
**********COMPILATION OF SFNET AUTHOR RECOMMENDATIONS**********
Poul Anderson - Set of books about the 'Polysotechnic (sp?) (or Technic)
League'; also "Operation Chaos"
David Brin - "Sundiver" and "Star Tide Rising"
C. J. Cherryh - Faded Sun trilogy ("Kutath," "Shon'Jir," and "Kesrith")
also "Pride of Chanur"
Jack Chalker - 'Well World' series, especially the first book, "Midnight
at the Well of Souls"
Gordon R. Dickson - Dorsai series (actually part of Childe Cycle series, I
believe)
Robert (?) Forward - "Dragon's Egg"
Joe Haldeman - "Mindbridge" and "The Forever War"
Zenna Henderson - Series about 'The People', starting with "No Different
Flesh" or "The Anything Box"
James Hogan - numerous works, highly recommended
Annes McCaffrey - "Dragonflight," "Dragonquest," and other books about the
Dragonriders of Pern (I've just finished "Dragonflight" - enjoyed
it much)
Alexei Panshin - "Star Well"/"The Thurb Revolution"/"Masque World"
(series) and "Rite of Passage"
H. Beam Piper - mixed reviews (one good, one fair)
Spider Robinson - "Stardance," "Telempath," and "Mind Killer"
Clifford Simak
E. E. 'Doc' Smith - Lensman series - old-fashioned, but good
A. E. Van Vogt - "The Weapon Shops of Isher"/"The Weapon Makers" and "The
World of Null-A"/"The Pawns (Players) of Null-A", plus others -
"Mission to the Stars" specifically NOT recommended
John Varley - especially "Titan," "Wizard," and "The Ophiuchi Hotline"
Roger Zelazny - "Lord of Light" and others
Closing note: if anyone out there has any further recommendations, I'd
love to hear 'em. And if one of the above is on your ten most hated list,
remember - I'm not recommending them from experience, 'cause for the most
part I haven't read them yet!!
HAPPY READING TO ALL!!!!
--
Jim
..!houxm!hou2b!sims