# Help me get back into sci-fi **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 10, 2010, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-back-into-sci-fi/538881 "2010-05-10T05:10:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2010, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-back-into-sci-fi/538881/1 "2010-05-10T05:10:49Z")
In my youth, I devoured sci-fi in great amounts. And another thread about sci-fi suggestions reminded me that I should dive back in to find some great ideas to think about. So… anthing or anyone that was well known in sci-fi up to the mid-80s, I’ve probably read it. About the only author I’ve followed consistantly past that time is CJ Cherryh, who remains my favorite author. Some of my other favorites – Larry Niven, Roger Zelazny, David Brin, Clarke, Asimov, Pohl, Dick, etc. I’m defintiely not looking for an indroduction to the field. Not interested in swords and sorcery, or dragons, or any other kinds of mystic or magic writing. I’m a pretty hard-sciency kind of guy, though I don’t especially care if the author dwells on explaining it all in detail. I’m especially interested in interactions with alien society, which probably explains why I like Cherryh so much. OTOH, I’m NOT a fan of Most of _Star Trek_ and clones, in which aliens are by and large treated as humans with anger issues and skin conditions. I’m fond of speculations about genuinely alien societies whose motives and actions are incomprehensible to us. Can anyone suggest some authors/titles to me? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2010, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-back-into-sci-fi/538881/2 "2010-05-10T05:30:48Z")
[Robert L. Forward](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_L._Forward) – very hard-sciencey, he was a physicist, and lots of very original ET races: Giant ever-flying “rukhs” in the upper atmosphere of Saturn, sentient hive insects on Pluto, and a race of sluglike sophonts made of neutronium who live speeded-up lives on the surface of a neutron star. But much of the best recent SF is near-future SF, set within the Solar System and featuring no ETs, or at least no living, intelligent ETs. Check out [Allen Steele,](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allen_Steele) [Neal Stephenson,](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neal_Stephenson) and Ben Bova’s [Grand Tour](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Tour_%28novel_series%29) series. Stephenson’s best stuff does not even leave Earth; but, in [_Anathem,_](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anathem) we do get a sort of alternate Earth. I notice you do not even mention any authors of the [Cyberpunk](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyberpunk) genre. [William Gibson](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_gibson) is classic there, but I prefer [Bruce Sterling.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_sterling) (They collaborated on a rambling [Steampunk](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steampunk) epic, [_The Difference Engine._](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Difference_Engine))\ [Robert J. Sawyer](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_J._Sawyer) won a Hugo in 2003 for his “Neanderthal Parallax” series, about an alternate Earth where _Homo sapiens_ went extinct early and left the world to _Homo neanderthalensis._ A very ingeniously thought-out civilization based on what very little we know of Neanderthal society. ---
**Author:** ![Todderbob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@Todderbob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Todderbob)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2010, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-back-into-sci-fi/538881/3 "2010-05-10T05:37:41Z")
Im going to second Neanderthal Parallax, it’s pretty awesome (until the last bit of the last book, where it kind of starts being a bash men bit… ). I’m also going to recommend the uplift series. Donno if you’ve read it or not, but its pretty alright. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2010, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-back-into-sci-fi/538881/4 "2010-05-10T05:51:59Z")
Yes, I’ve read some Gibson – _The Difference Engine_ and _Mona Lisa Overdrive_, both of which I quite liked (and th latter is one of my all time favorite titles). I’ve heard of Sterling, but I didn’t think I’d read anything by him – I guess I didn’t realize he co-wrote with Gibson. Sawyer’s completely new to me. I will take a look. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2010, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-back-into-sci-fi/538881/5 "2010-05-10T05:56:40Z")
Recently I’ve been sidelined into George R R Martin’s _Song of Ice & Fire_ series. Really excellent, but swords abound & dragons have been sighted. Once I’ve torn through the four books published so far, I won’t join his fans yearning for the long-promised #5. I’ll get back into some harder SF. Which means I’ll continue reading up on The Culture–in the works of Iain M Banks. The first book, _Consider Phlebas_, blew my mind. You want some _alien_ aliens? You want a ripping yarn with derring do on the spaceway? Check this guy out. A bit lighter is S M Stirling’s Lords of Creation series, set in an alternate solar system where our astronauts discovered civilizations on Venus & Mars. There’s a bit of swashbuckling, but also a scientific basis for the weirdness encountered on steamy Venus (_The Sky People_) & ancient Mars (_In the Courts of the Crimson Kings_). Great fun–especially for those with a background in early SF. One old master you didn’t mention is Cordwainer Smith. All his short fiction is available in [one volume](http://www.amazon.com/Rediscovery-Man-Complete-Science-Cordwainer/dp/0915368560). His tales of humanity in the very far future are quite distinctive. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2010, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-back-into-sci-fi/538881/6 "2010-05-10T05:57:33Z")
I just finished the first book of the series - [Genesis by Paul Chafe](http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/c/paul-chafe/genesis.htm) and I’m currently reading the second book, “Exodus: The Ark.” It’s set in the not-so-distant future on a world where resources are running out and there are too many people, so they build a humongous generation ship to go to a neighbouring galaxy. The first book is the struggle to get the ark built and a while in the ship; the second book is thousands of years into the journey. The interactions are in a society that becomes alien, and the science is nice and science-y (there’s quite a bit of description of building the huge spaceship). What really struck me about the books, though, is that Paul Chafe is a really good writer - he sets a good pace, keeps it interesting, develops characters, all that good stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2010, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-back-into-sci-fi/538881/7 "2010-05-10T05:58:16Z")
I never heard of Steampunk, but I’ve apparently read some of it. The Wiki page mentions some of Keith Laumer’s work as being part of it. I’d read his _Worlds of the Imperium_. It look like the genre name was coined later. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2010, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-back-into-sci-fi/538881/8 "2010-05-10T06:01:00Z")
> [@Bridget\_Burke](#): > > … > One old master you didn’t mention is Cordwainer Smith. All his short fiction is available in [one volume](http://www.amazon.com/Rediscovery-Man-Complete-Science-Cordwainer/dp/0915368560). His tales of humanity in the very far future are quite distinctive. LOVE Cordwainer Smith, and would do C’mell in a hot second, and I do mean HOT! ---
**Author:** ![Aspidistra](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspidistra/32/3894_2.png) [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2010, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-back-into-sci-fi/538881/9 "2010-05-10T06:03:21Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > I’m especially interested in interactions with alien society, which probably explains why I like Cherryh so much. OTOH, I’m NOT a fan of Most of _Star Trek_ and clones, in which aliens are by and large treated as humans with anger issues and skin conditions. I’m fond of speculations about genuinely alien societies whose motives and actions are incomprehensible to us. Vernor Vinge’s _A Fire Upon the Deep_ is a great book, containing multiple different alien povs, from semi-humanoid, through to hive mind, through to semi-godlike entities whose motivations none of the main characters have any capacity to predict. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2010, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-back-into-sci-fi/538881/10 "2010-05-10T06:06:31Z")
You folks are gettn’ me excited. I’ll be in my bunk. ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2010, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-back-into-sci-fi/538881/11 "2010-05-10T08:01:31Z")
I recommend The Algebraist, by Iain M. Banks for alien cultures that are almost incomprehensible. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2010, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-back-into-sci-fi/538881/12 "2010-05-10T08:04:37Z")
> [@Aspidistra](#): > > Vernor Vinge’s _A Fire Upon the Deep_ is a great book, containing multiple different alien povs, from semi-humanoid, through to hive mind, through to semi-godlike entities whose motivations none of the main characters have any capacity to predict. And then read _A Deepness in the Sky_ for more aliens. Also, John Scalzi. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2010, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-back-into-sci-fi/538881/13 "2010-05-10T12:46:17Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > LOVE Cordwainer Smith, and would do C’mell in a hot second, and I do mean HOT! On the really off chance that somebody decided to film Smith’s stories, I could see Christina Hendricks as [C’mell](http://www.efanzines.com/EK/eI18/GY_6210.jpg). If you like densely written far-future stories, what about [Gene Wolfe](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_Wolfe)? He’s not an Old Master, even if he’s not exactly Brand New. _The Book of the New Sun_ should get you started. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2010, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-back-into-sci-fi/538881/14 "2010-05-10T12:51:16Z")
I’m old school, and prefer the older stuff, myself. But here are some newer writers: **John Scalzi** – as meantioned above. I learned about him on these Boards. Very good stuff, and his _Old Man’s War_ has been compared to Heinlein’s _Starship Troopers_ and Haldeman’s _Forever War_. **Walter Hunt**. If you like interactions with Alien Societies, you’ll like his _Dark Wing_ series. But start with the first one – one problem is that Hunt doesn’t even describe his aliens in the later books, which will leave you thoroughly confused if you don’t start there. I’m surprised to find Forward mentioned here. If you read SF in the 1980s, then you’ve read his stuff. And, sadly, he’s dead now. ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2010, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-back-into-sci-fi/538881/15 "2010-05-10T13:07:06Z")
> [@Aspidistra](#): > > Vernor Vinge’s _A Fire Upon the Deep_ is a great book, containing multiple different alien povs, from semi-humanoid, through to hive mind, through to semi-godlike entities whose motivations none of the main characters have any capacity to predict. I’ll second (or third) this. Excellent grand scale SF. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2010, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-back-into-sci-fi/538881/16 "2010-05-10T13:38:26Z")
And just because I re-read the whole thing, try Jack Chalker’s _Well of Souls_ series. Or maybe Eric Flint and David Freer’s _Slow Train To Arcturus_. ---
**Author:** ![One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/838e76/32.png) [@One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/One_And_Only_Wanderers)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2010, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-back-into-sci-fi/538881/17 "2010-05-10T13:41:40Z")
Iain M Banks Culture books? The Culture are a civilisation comprised of humanoids and Minds (AIs) who benignly interfere in the development of lesser civilizations as well as competing with equally advanced civilisations. I would recommend 'em. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2010, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-back-into-sci-fi/538881/18 "2010-05-10T13:53:45Z")
How about Vinge–he reads sorta like Niven (if I had to compare him with someone) but better characterization. His _A Fire Upon The Deep_ is possibly the single best SF novel of the '90s. ---
**Author:** ![Baboonanza](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f475e1/32.png) [@Baboonanza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baboonanza)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2010, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-back-into-sci-fi/538881/19 "2010-05-10T14:23:47Z")
Definitely read all of Iain M. Banks works. Feersum Engine is the only one that didn’t click with me (though my dad thought it very good), and Matter is a bit weak but the others are phenomenal. I’d suggest Andrew Reynolds to those who haven’t heard of him. He tends towards hardish science New Space Opera, and his Revelation Space books are some of my favourites. Living alien cultures don’t feature _much_, but he often deals with far-future almost alien human cultures. John Scalzi’s Android’s Dream is a fun book. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2010, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-back-into-sci-fi/538881/20 "2010-05-10T14:59:03Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > And just because I re-read the whole thing, try Jack Chalker’s _Well of Souls_ series. Note that there were only _FIVE_ books in the _Well of Souls_ series. Any books published after _Twilight At The Well Of Souls_ were mass hallucinations caused by bad mushrooms. (Seriously, the post _Twilight at the WoS_ books are so very bad that they actually retroactively damage the earlier books) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-back-into-sci-fi/538881.md?page=2)