What are your thoughts on science fiction?

Question

I've met several people who absolutely despise science fiction writing, but never really say exactly why. I think that some books, like the Foundation trilogy by Asimov and 1984 by George Orwell are absolute works of art. I'm just trying to get some opinions. Whether you do or don't like it, why? If you do, what's your favorite book?

Answer 1

I have been a fan of Science Fiction, and Fantasy since I was a child. I have never understood why so many people refuse to read any book considered to be SciFi, and/or look down upon the genres as inferior to other fiction.

People seem to get fixated on a book being scifi, as opposed to focusing on the elements of the story, which are the same as all fiction, in general. People confuse the setting with the actual message of the story, and assume that using a scifi setting will result in poor character development, plot lines, and such, which is totally untrue. There is plenty of poorly written, scifi, but no more than any other genre. There are also many true literary masterpieces that are scifi, and if more people actually read them, before judging, they would find them, and be glad for having done so.

I have to disagree strongly with the earlier answer claiming it is easy to write scifi comparatively. In my experience, which is having read literally thousands of books, it is much harder to write a good science fiction, compared to most other types of fiction. To do so requires all of the standard musts, good characters, plot lines, and development, plus having to create a consistent, and plausible world for the setting. If hard science scifi, then the science must also be right, adding even more challenge.

Answer 2

I think SF still gets a bad name from those old fifties pulps that were plot-driven monstrosities. But there really are genuine masters in the genre. You mentioned Asimov and Orwell, and I would add Philip K. Dick, Arthur Clark, Ray Bradbury, and Jules Verne to the list. Dick in particular was a genuine philosopher with deep insights into the nature of humanity and reality. He constantly questioned religion, addiction, perception, and more. Over seas, his work is actually listed in the Literature section at bookstores and he's considered a true American visionary. But in his own country, few people have even heard of him, let alone read his material. I took a Literature course that covered many classics of all genres, and also read Dick's Do Androids Dream of Electronic Sheep. Most of the other students were shocked and amazed by the deep insights and literary quality to the book. I agree that it's a shame so many people are prejudiced against the genre. And that's what it is, prejudice. Most people have never read quality SF but assume it's trash nonetheless. Too bad, they're missing out one some truly great novels and short fiction.

As you might have guessed, Dick is one of my favorite authors. Of all his books, I absolutely adore A Scanner Darkly. Dick proves that no matter what technological advances may occur, humans at their core remain basically the same. Addiction is still prevalent. His novel features a protagonist acting as a narc in a drug ring, a cop trying to bust the trade of a new hallucinogen, slowly losing his mind to the drug he must take to keep his cover. It's one of the darkest, grittiest, and most poignant novels I've ever read. I also like Karin Lowachee and her novel, Warchild. It's one of those books with a horrible summary on the book jacket. I kept picking it up, reading the back cover, and setting down. But something about the cover kept attracting me, so I bought it after maybe the fourth time I picked up and absolutely loved it. Her characters are dark and realistic, and her story absolutely relevant to today's political climate. She handles very heavy issues with tact, though she pulls no punches. Lowachee's definitely a talent to watch in the future.

Answer 3

I love science fiction. It is very easy to write Science Fiction - you can make up whatever you want - as long as it is consist-ant and can cross into virtually any other genre at the same time. As a result many people do tend to look down on it. Like the horror and fantasy market - it's not helped by the number of almost illiterate authors who churn out numerous pulp serials. There are however as you said a number of classics within the genre which are as good as anything created in any other.

Answer 4

I read approximately a book a day ... and at least half of the books I read are 'science fiction' ... and I LOVE IT because it's 'the future imagined' and I know that things like the 'waldo' that is now a 'real scientific instument' was first 'thought of' by Robert Heinlein ... and the 'laws of robotics' were thought up by Asimov ... and they were 'god' before they died, but there are 'new gods of SF coming up and writing now ... so my 'favorite book' is 'the next one I read' ... whatever one that is.

Answer 5

Like any genre there are some brilliant authors and some really poor writers.

Personally I love Sci-Fi. It' great escapism and a lot of it is intelligent and innovative. I love the fact that Arthur C Clarke invented satellites - he said that it was possible before they started working on it.

Favourites? Too many to name.

Answer 6

Science Fictions are always worth to be admired since they too give an insight to the future of scientific evolutions

Answer 7

I'm a big fan of sci-fi (and plain ol' fiction) by Philip K. Dick, and also enjoyed the six-part Dune series by Frank Herbert.

Answer 8

it depends. there's really bad sci-fi and really good sci-fi. I prefer it when it seems very feasible, or something we can relate to. I like something in which there's more to the story than aliens planning some take over or a huge conspiracy. I'm sick of that ****.

Answer 9

I like it. That's why I write it.

Some people--I guess--just aren't able to use their imagination effectively. That's why they hate it so much.