Sci-Fi Geeks Vs. Lit. Geeks - Page 4

lumberjim · 03-25-2009, 08:18 PM

but don't listen because that doesn't count

Cloud · 03-25-2009, 08:20 PM

DanaC · 03-26-2009, 08:27 AM

Just to throw it out there: anyone who hasn't yet read Vernon Godlittle, probably oughtta.

DanaC · 03-26-2009, 09:54 AM

Shawnee, if you really do want to play with SF or fantasy and you want something interesting, engaging and also intellectually stimulating, read pretty much any Sheri S Tepper: Either the True Game series (particulaly the adventures of Mavin Manyshaped, though True Game stuff was very early Tepper) or Grass, Sideshow, or Raising the Stones. there are some very good ones. She writes intelligent, challenging stories, which usually have compelling themes (feminism, love and betrayal, human sacrifice and selfishness, imperialism and the dangers of religious zeal etc).

As an adolescent I went to Marion Zimmer Bradley for my feminist fiction, as a grownup I go for Tepper.

Shawnee123 · 03-26-2009, 11:20 AM

Thanks DanaC. I have to work Saturday morning, cutting into my Day of Sloth, so I think I'll hit the library on the way home. There's another book I have to read soon, so I'll also look for Tepper while I'm there.

DanaC · 03-26-2009, 12:33 PM

Some books are very difficult to categorise. Vurt and Pollen (by Jeff Noon) are a case in point. I'm not sure whether they're sci-fi, fantasy, magical realism or just contemporary fiction. I know they are lyrical and beautiful with an edge liike a samurai blade. That's all I need to know.

Cicero · 03-26-2009, 01:54 PM

If you haven't read E.M. Cioran "temptation to exist"......Better have a look. It's a french philosopher/poet that rips everything to shreds. The best part? His word usage. I really only care for what he says some days. Mostly, I like the words. He's more prose than philosophy.

richlevy · 03-26-2009, 03:18 PM

I think you should read C.J. Cherryh's "Foreigner" series. The premise is that human refugees from a mutinied lost starship fall on a foreign planet. The aliens, who are tall humanoids, have a feudal system (similar to ancient Japan) and, while having human appearance, are 'wired' differently towards association groups requiring 'man-chi', which goes beyond 'love' or 'loyalty'.

After the humans anthropomorphise themselves into a war with the natives, a treaty is reached where the humans resettle to a big island/continent and only one human paidhi (ambassador) is allowed on the mainland in the emperors court. Bren is only the latest in a series of paidhi, but he is the one who will make history.

While there are similarities to James Clavell's 'Shogun', Cherryh really works in the concept of aliens whose mentality is not just shaped by societal differences, like those between fuedal Japan and England, but actually hard-wired.

Personally, I think anyone going into the diplomatic service should read these books.

DanaC · 03-26-2009, 03:38 PM

I'd forgotten about Cherryh. Brilliant writer.

Shawnee123 · 03-26-2009, 03:40 PM

I'm making a list...

Cloud · 03-26-2009, 04:30 PM

blecch. Can't stand anything that Cherryh wrote.

For my pic of grand, witty, and fun SF, try any of the Vorkosigan books by Lois McMaster Bujold.

DanaC · 03-26-2009, 04:36 PM

Anyone ever read The Gap series by Stephen Donaldson?

ZenGum · 03-26-2009, 08:12 PM

http://xkcd.com/483/
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03-25-2009, 08:18 PM	#1
lumberjim I can hear my ears Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 25,571	but don't listen because that doesn't count __________________ This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality Embrace this moment, remember We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion ~MJKeenan

03-25-2009, 08:20 PM	#2
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	__________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

03-26-2009, 11:20 AM	#5
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	Thanks DanaC. I have to work Saturday morning, cutting into my Day of Sloth, so I think I'll hit the library on the way home. There's another book I have to read soon, so I'll also look for Tepper while I'm there. __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

03-26-2009, 01:54 PM	#7
Cicero Looking forward to open mic night. Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: New Mexico Posts: 5,148	If you haven't read E.M. Cioran "temptation to exist"......Better have a look. It's a french philosopher/poet that rips everything to shreds. The best part? His word usage. I really only care for what he says some days. Mostly, I like the words. He's more prose than philosophy. __________________ Show me a sane man, and I will cure him for you.- Carl Jung

03-26-2009, 03:18 PM	#8
richlevy King Of Wishful Thinking Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Philadelphia Suburbs Posts: 6,669	I think you should read C.J. Cherryh's "Foreigner" series. The premise is that human refugees from a mutinied lost starship fall on a foreign planet. The aliens, who are tall humanoids, have a feudal system (similar to ancient Japan) and, while having human appearance, are 'wired' differently towards association groups requiring 'man-chi', which goes beyond 'love' or 'loyalty'. After the humans anthropomorphise themselves into a war with the natives, a treaty is reached where the humans resettle to a big island/continent and only one human paidhi (ambassador) is allowed on the mainland in the emperors court. Bren is only the latest in a series of paidhi, but he is the one who will make history. While there are similarities to James Clavell's 'Shogun', Cherryh really works in the concept of aliens whose mentality is not just shaped by societal differences, like those between fuedal Japan and England, but actually hard-wired. Personally, I think anyone going into the diplomatic service should read these books. __________________ Exercise your rights and remember your obligations - VOTE! I have always believed that hope is that stubborn thing inside us that insists, despite all the evidence to the contrary, that something better awaits us so long as we have the courage to keep reaching, to keep working, to keep fighting. -- Barack Hussein Obama

03-26-2009, 08:27 AM	#3
DanaC We have to go back, Kate! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 25,964	Just to throw it out there: anyone who hasn't yet read Vernon Godlittle, probably oughtta.

03-26-2009, 09:54 AM	#4
DanaC We have to go back, Kate! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 25,964	Shawnee, if you really do want to play with SF or fantasy and you want something interesting, engaging and also intellectually stimulating, read pretty much any Sheri S Tepper: Either the True Game series (particulaly the adventures of Mavin Manyshaped, though True Game stuff was very early Tepper) or Grass, Sideshow, or Raising the Stones. there are some very good ones. She writes intelligent, challenging stories, which usually have compelling themes (feminism, love and betrayal, human sacrifice and selfishness, imperialism and the dangers of religious zeal etc). As an adolescent I went to Marion Zimmer Bradley for my feminist fiction, as a grownup I go for Tepper.

03-26-2009, 12:33 PM	#6
DanaC We have to go back, Kate! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 25,964	Some books are very difficult to categorise. Vurt and Pollen (by Jeff Noon) are a case in point. I'm not sure whether they're sci-fi, fantasy, magical realism or just contemporary fiction. I know they are lyrical and beautiful with an edge liike a samurai blade. That's all I need to know.

03-26-2009, 03:38 PM	#9
DanaC We have to go back, Kate! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 25,964	I'd forgotten about Cherryh. Brilliant writer.

03-26-2009, 03:40 PM	#10
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	I'm making a list... __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

03-26-2009, 04:30 PM	#11
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	blecch. Can't stand anything that Cherryh wrote. For my pic of grand, witty, and fun SF, try any of the Vorkosigan books by Lois McMaster Bujold. __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

03-26-2009, 04:36 PM	#12
DanaC We have to go back, Kate! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 25,964	Anyone ever read The Gap series by Stephen Donaldson?

03-26-2009, 08:12 PM	#13
ZenGum Doctor Wtf Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Badelaide, Baustralia Posts: 12,861	http://xkcd.com/483/ __________________ Shut up and hug. MoreThanPretty, Nov 5, 2008. Just because I'm nominally polite, does not make me a pussy. Sundae Girl.

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