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I've made an honest effort to read the literary classics. I even made it a third of the way through Ulysses. But the genre I always end up coming back to is science fiction. Especially "hard sf"; science fiction that allows any leap of the authors imagination within the boundaries of plausible science. What great fun to read about distant corners of the universe, the far future or explorations of the here and now that are not just flights of fancy. They could in some way really happen.
Here are some writers who do it particularly well:
- Larry Niven (Mote in God's Eye is a must)
- Greg Bear ( The Forge of God and especially it's sequel Anvil of Stars are excellent)
- David Brin
- Gregory Benford
- Dave Wolverton (I can hardly believe that On My Way to Paradise was the first novel he wrote)
- Orson Scott Card (not necessarily "hard" but you'll never hear me complain)
- Stanislaw Lem ( you may have read Solaris, but try Fiasco)
- John Brunner ( A Maze of Stars takes an interesting look at where we are and what we're up to a hundred thousand years in the future)
- Vernor Vinge ( A Fire Upon the Deep may be the best space opera you'll ever read)
- Michael Swanwick (Stations of the Tide)
.
I get a kick out of reading some such then splashing some paint around to make a scene inspired by what I read. The above are a few examples.
30 comments:
Personally, I'm a big fan of C. J. Cherryh and John Scalzi - Scalzi's aliens in particular are a trip.
As a kid in the 70s, I read a lot of Arthur Clarke and Asimov. I LOVED Asimov - especially the short stories, which I preferred over the novels. Then in the 80s I read Neuromancer and Burning Chrome by William Gibson and became obsessed with his stuff. I actually haven't read a lot of sf since then, but just talking about it now makes me want to...I'm really behind the times.
Beautiful paintings by the way!
The sci fi paintings are awesome and artistically creative. I really like stars and study info about them, like that they actually make music in the galaxies. I like the book Contact by Carl Sagan . I also like any books by H.G. Wells about the moon.I also love the scientific nebulas ( clusters of stars and cosmic matter that form wonderful shapes like the Fairy of of Eagle Nebula.)
Hi Nathan, I'm not a SF fan myself, but my husband is hardcore. Here's the list of authors, and all of their books are worth investigating:
Alastair Reynolds, Iain Banks, Peter F. Hamilton (these three are high SF and epic), David Webber (military action and politics, especially the honor series), Richard Morgan (gritty noir), Charles Sheffield (forgot), and Michael Flynn (near future).
Just wanted to say how much I love your work and always look forward to your posts.
My two cents for scifi: Neil Asher's "Agent Cormac" series, Richard Morgan, and Iain M Banks' "Culture" series. For fantasy: "The Ramayana" by Ashok K Banker and David Eddings' "Belgarion/Mallorean" and "Elenium/Tamuli" series.
I'm surprised no one has mentioned the Dune chronicles. Frank Herbert is my hero! Also very fond of Robert Heinlein.
If you get a chance to read anything by China Mieville (steampunk type stuff) or Naomi Novik (alternate histoy/fantasy). I'm a sci-fi person myself but these two authors really caught my eye and their books were not only great but they were full of rich descriptions a details.
Enjoy,
K
I don't usually read sci-fi, but Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson is one of my favourite books.
There's a playful edge to it which I miss in most sci-fi.
Much appreciated comments, I'm looking forward to checking out your recommendations.
Nicole I've seen C J's books around for years and must pick one up.
Steve, Last year I read Clarke's entire collected short stories. The guy was frighteningly ahead of the curve. And Gibson. His last 2 novels were fascinating.
Rose, I appreciate all your comments. I wish Sagan was still around for more fiction.
Kate, tell your husband thanks. I keep hearing about Reynolds, I think it's time to pick something up by him. I did read Altered Carbon (R. Morgan). It was so good and so depressing and bleak I'm still shaking my head.
Thanks for your comment Paul. Sounds like you're good for Morgan too so maybe I should pick up another one.
Wi, you're absolutely right about Herbert but I think it's complimentary that he hasn't been mentioned. It's as if he's so good we all assume everyone's already read all the Dune books twice. Maybe three times.
Kyle, Perdido Street Station is on my shelf and calling to me.
Irma, Snow Crash definitely. You probably read Diamond Age too. That one deserved a second reading.
And we must not forget Dan Simmons and the Hyperion epics.
Darn! I just went to the library yesterday and had I seen this before I went....Anyway, I tend to bounce in and out of the sci-fi genre quite a bit though I have loyally read anything I have found from Frank Herbert, Robert Heinlein and Michael Crichton. I have read the Ender series from Orson Scott Card and a few by David Brin including "The Postman" and "Kiln People". I did read the quite a few books out of the Dune series as well.
As for something no one is likely to mention...One of my favorite series of novels were the pulpy, adventurous stories about the Grey Lensmen written by E.E. Doc Smith back in the 1920's. I found them highly entertaining. They are hard to find but I think they are well worth the effort.
I Love Sci-fi writing, but my well has run dry recently. I wrote all these names down, and I plan to check them out soon! Thanks! The stuff that I have read that really got me going were the short stories by Ray Bradbury. Particularly "Kaleidescope", and "The Veldt". Both are a quick read, and worth it If your not already familiar with them. Your paintings are a constant inspiration of mine as well. Great stuff
-Tamte
Nathan, Awesome work! Thankyou for sharing both through your class and your blog.
My favorite Sci-Fi:
Joe Haldeman, The Forever War
Alfred Bester, The Computer Connection (also titled Indian Giver)
Arthur C. Clarke, Childhood's End and Cities in the Sky
And almost anything by Usula Le Guin, Robert Silverburg, Damon Knight, Ray Bradbury, James Blish, Cordwainer Smith, Philip K. Dick... to name just a few
Hey! They've both been brought up but I still have to say Dune by Herbert and Neuromancer by Gibson.
That stuff obsesses me, even after the 4th, 5th and 6th reading. ^_^
Luv it, these are excellent suggestions. And yes, we can't forget Ursula Le Guin, especially The Left Hand of Darkness.
Also, Kate Wilhelm who won the Hugo in '77 for Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang. And Vonda McIntyre who won the Hugo in '78 for Dreamsnake.
I'm glad to see Phillip K. Dick mentioned at least once. Call me paranoid but in my opinion another guy that was way ahead of the curve.Amazing work by the way. Love the spontaneity!
hey, awesome stuff! thanks for sharing.
I would recommend 'The Martian Chronicles' by Ray Bradbury.
wildly imaginative and funny short stories.
C.S. Lewis' Space Trilogy. I hope they make it into a series of films someday.
I'm a lot like you in that while I stray into other genres and authors I truly love sci-fi. Larry Niven and Frank Herbert are my faves though. Even the audio version of Dune: Children of Dune is fantastic...Scott Brick is a great orator.
My buddy and I were lucky enough to produce a hard sci-fi comic through Image:
http://www.theovermancomic.com/
It's hard to compare to anything specific as it has a culmination of most of the things we enjoy.
=shane=
P.S. Love your work man...always inspiring.
I have to admit I’m a recovering book addict, and I have read more than my fair share of Sci-Fi. I’m a huge Orson Scott Card fan (I own almost every book he’s written), the Ender’s game trilogy and The Worthing Saga being m favorites. As for others I’m a fan of the classics in Sci-Fi: H.G. Wells, Ray Bradbury, and C.S. Lewis’s Space Trilogy. I appreciate these three as well as Card mostly because their books always have a wider breadth of meaning than merely seeking to entertain.
Amazing work as always Nathan!!....would love to see more of these.
A lot of great names here from the classic authors like Clarke, Asimov, Bradbury, Herbert, Heinlein. I will throw in a couple that I haven't seen posted yet.
L.E. Modesitt -- Writes a lot of stuff from fantasy (Recluce Series recommend) to sci-fi(Ethos Effect, Flash), both of which he commands with masters touch
Poul Anderson (Dominic Flandry series) and lots of other sci-fi work.
Thanks Guys! I think I need to be extra healthy from now on to gain the extra years of life to accommodate my expanded reading list.
Gene Wolfe is the James Joyce of SCi Fi... If you haven't already,
good gosh....
i lean towards the bleak dystopian stuff.
i liked richard morgans books, but the sequels to "altered carbon" didn't hold up in some ways. on the other hand, there are some interesting ideas in them--alien archaeology has that kind of old orientalist flavor to it.
orwell wasn't sci fi, more like socio-political and liguistic sci-fi,... "1984" anybody?
the classics--brave new world, fahrenheit 451, stranger in a strange land.
i also read orson scott card's Ender-series. good stuff.
philip k. dick and william gibson too.
mary shelley for frankenstein?
do you have any recommendations for short sf stories or anthologies?
Hey fowkes great stuff here!
some of my favourite:
j.g.Ballard,gibson too,robert seckley,Richard matheson,fredric brown...
I'm glad people are still posting here. You're welcome to continue posting your sci fi favorites and I'll check back from time to time.
Thanks!
Nathan,
The Dune series are my personal favorite! But, I have enjoyed all of Herbert's books.
BTW, I also love the Dr. Who series... but then that is a different genre!
I am enjoying seeing your blog!
Claudia
Theodore Sturgeon - More than Human
Hey Nathan! Long time no see. I just rediscovered your blog, always inspiring.
I'll second the recommendations for Richard K Morgan - I actually prefer the sequel to Altered Carbon. It veers away from Blade Runner-esque cyberpunk noir into more space opera. He really opens up the scope, so worth giving him another shot. I also just discovered Alastair Reynolds and having a great time with him. And John Scalzi is definitely a strong up and comer. The latest great discovery is the Hugo-award winning "Spin." Can't remember the name of the author, but a very literary novel for a Sci-Fi, very deep character work coupled with visionary SF ideas.
For the serious romantic classics, I always go back to Jack Vance. If you haven't read him, there's a wealth of imagination waiting for you. Talk about subject matter to paint! The most lush language and description of alien worlds and characters. He writes some fantasy as well (the seminal "Lyonesse") but try out his SF, like the "Tschai, Planet of Adventure series" or the Durdane Trilogy. And his Hugo-winning Dying Earth series.
Anyway, always great to see your new work, & hope to catch up with you again sometime soon.
All the best,
Phil
First off...you are so freaking good, it makes me want to give up painting and drawing! Geez, man, slow down! Anyway, you asked for books...I have never read much 'hard' sf, mostly heroic fiction like Howard, Burroughs, etc...but maybe Herbert would qualify? Funny, I see a fellow comic artist to my left as I write this, Steve Epting.
Again, stop depressing me! I wish I still lived in California and had some money to burn...your classes would be eye opening, I am sure. Feel free to see my stuff and tell me how many decades I have to go to get even somewhat good (www.kenmeyerjr.com/port). On second thought...
Ken Meyer Jr.
Hey Nathan,
awesome. About the sci-fi recommendations: I would say
Illium
&
Illiad by Dan Simmons. He took the whole trojan war, Achilles, and all the greek mythology, and spun it into the far future. A concept i'd NEVER thought of, where gods are actually power crazed super humans
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