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