i like george orwell, william gibson some books that are weird but interested. plz help
2006-08-09 07:44:17 · 16 answers · asked by dn_reen 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
1984 and Animal Farm by Orwell are near the top of my list too. As for other authors you might be interested, that depends on what area of science fiction you're interested in.
Crossing the border into fantasy is Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy. Besides taking the characters on journeys between our world and others, the three books of the trilogy delve deeply into philosophy and religion, giving them a heft most fantasy doesn't. The three books are The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, and the Amber Spyglass.
For alternate history (what if?) Harry Turtledove is the acknowledged master of the sub-genre, but it's hard to get into if you're not familiar with the plot beforehand. Try Robert Silverberg's Roma Eterna in which the Roman Empire survived into the present, impacting history left and right due to the failure of the Exodus.
An author from Australia, Marianne de Pierres, has two books avaiable in the U.S. so far centering on the character of Parrish Plessis, a bounty hunter and courier working in the coast of Australia after a great cataclysm -- sort of Mad Max with attitude, but it's reminiscent of William Gibson's work too. The books are "Nylon Angel" and "Code Noir".
If graphic novels and heroes with flaws are more your speed, I cannot recommend enough Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' Watchmen -- it's got more heft than most novels, and it's something you will not get entirely the first time. As a matter of fact, this was one of the inspirations for MY first novel, "Progeny" set in the near future when heroes failed before, and a new generation is rising to beat who they couldn't. It's a great quest story too.
These should all be available or be able to be ordered at your local library. You can check out Progeny below; I hope I've given you some good choices. Have a great day, and enjoy reading!
2006-08-09 08:00:17 · answer #1 · answered by ensign183 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I absolutely love Scifi and I'm one of the resident scifi/fantasy advisor at Borders so here's what I found most customers enjoyed the most:
Neil Gaiman (he's also author of the Sandman comis which you should find are awesome. His novels are excellent, start with Neverwhere and move to American Gods and Anansi Boys.)
Nick Sagan (Idlewild is amazing)
Frank Herbert (Dune series is a masterpiece)
Philip K. Dick (I personally like the Man in the High Castle the best, it's very alternative history-related, like orwell. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? and A Scanner Darkly are also good)
Isaac Asimov (The Foundation Novels are his best)
Roger Zelazny (Lord of Light is like a shorter but just as good version of LOTR)
Neal Stephenson (Snow Crash is arguably the best scifi book every written)
John Twelve Hawkes (The Traveler)
Vernor Vinge (Rainbows End is amazing, takes place in San Diego Future)
Charles Stross (Accelerando is his newest)
Orson Scott Card (has won 2 back to back Hugos and wrote the Ender Saga, a must read)
Ray Bradbury (Fahrenheit 451, The Martian Chronicles)
CS Lewis (The Space Trilogy is often overshadowed by Narnia but is an amazing scifi trilogy, loved it)
Larry Niven (Ringworld)
Kurt Vonnegut (wrote a lot of dystopian literature like Orwell, he's amazing)
Carl Sagan (also very good)
Cory Doctorow (Someone Comes to town, Someone leaves town--i loved this book)
contact me if you need more recommendations!
2006-08-09 18:37:37 · answer #2 · answered by greenlady16 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Whatever you do, DON'T MISS THESE!
"Enders Game" by Orson Scott Card.
"The Mote in Gods Eye," and "Ringworld," both by Larry Niven.
The "Foundation," books (especially the original three,) by Issac Asimov.
"Dune," by Frank Herbert, (Forget about the movie! Read the book.)
"Dune " prequels by Kevin J Anderson and Brian Herbert, (Frank Herbert's son working from his fathers notes.) (Actually very good!)
"Dragons Egg," by Robert L Forward. (Life ON a neutron star. SF not fantasy as the title may suggest.)
"The Integral Trees," by Larry Niven.
Anything by Robert Heinlein, Issac Asimov, Larry Niven or Orson Scott Card.
All of the books listed above have sequels, (one even has a "parallel," novel. "Enders Shadow.") You may look them up after you find out how awesome these books are.
Guaranteed Fine Reading!!!
As you mentioned William Gibson was very good. Neuromancer. Burning Chrome, The Difference Engine...
Do you like alternate history? Because Harry Turtledove is the absolute master there. I especially loved his World War 2 series. "In The Balance," and his follow up series "Tilting The Balance,"
Awesome!!!
I love good SF and sharing good books with someone.
Just lately I read the first 4 "Saga of Seven Suns," books by Kevin J Anderson and anxiously await number 5.
And let's not forget Ben Bova or Gregory Benford, Verner Vinge, Charles Sheffeld and... man, there's just so many really good authors and books! It's too bad you often have to read several mediocre books in order to find one good one.
2006-08-09 16:56:11 · answer #3 · answered by joubaur 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can never go wrong with one of the big three: Arthur C. Clarke, Isaac Asimov and Robert A. Heinlein. Heinlein (or at least late Heinlein) is considered to be the one who produced the 'weirdest' assortment of works from among the big three -- but some of which are literary classics, such as Stranger In A Stranger Land.
Mind you, there are plenty of other science fiction authors out there that deserve your time and money. Frank Herber of 'Dune' fame. Philip K. Dick of 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep' (Bladerunner) and A Scanner Darkly fame. Michael Moorcock of the Elric (Eternal Champion) series. Larry Niven of 'Ringworld' fame. One of the early greats Alfred van Vogt. Ray Bradbury. Jack Vance.
The list could go on and on, but this should keep you busy for years. Enjoy yourself. :)
2006-08-09 14:58:50 · answer #4 · answered by burnthehive 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Grass, or Sideshow by Sherri S Tepper, anything by Sara Douglass, David and Leigh Eddings are good too, right now I'm reading Kushiels Dart by Jaqueline Carey, but most of those are sci-fi/ fantasy. I don't read as much hard core sci-fi. Oh yeah also try Anne McCaffery she's great. Hope this helps.
2006-08-09 14:53:41 · answer #5 · answered by Jasunni 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Enders Game by Orson Scott Card is good
I also liked 1984 by Orwell, but you probably already read it.
You could also read any of the star trek or star wars books, I know that these are not considered to be classic sci-fi books, but they are enjoyable and are easy reads. (I like Timothy Zahn's star wars books and Susan Wright's star trek books).
2006-08-09 15:16:33 · answer #6 · answered by raz 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I like books by Ursula Le Guin, and Charles Sheffield. Also Mike Resnick. I like time-travel stories, and alternative future stories. Also hard science fiction, too. I just browse the shelves at the library and pick something out. I have read very few books that I didn't like to some degree.
2006-08-09 14:51:22 · answer #7 · answered by correrafan 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Robert A Heinlein
2006-08-09 20:26:09 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Robert Rankin is a great sci-fi writer. He is very funny. Try Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next series too or the Nursery Crimes series.
2006-08-09 15:11:14 · answer #9 · answered by violet_vomit 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
K.A. Applegate writes great sci-fi books. Her series Remnants and Animorphs are great. You might want to try House of the Scorpion. It's awesome! I couldn't stop reading it.
2006-08-09 15:47:52 · answer #10 · answered by aximili12hp 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋