celestina: (see, I answered you first!
):
Maybe on Elliott. I’m seriously considering pulling the “self-indugent choices” ones out and sticking them on as an addendum. If so, it’ll go there. I’m not sure she’s “important” enough yet.
Schmitz, wonderful though he is, he just isn’t quite influential enough. (<sob>Neither’s Laumer. I really, REALLY wanted Laumer). When Flint did his reissue, the biggest flame-war I’ve ever seen erupted on rec.arts.sf.written over his edits (which, while mostly harmless, I still don’t agree with).
Maybe I’ll swap Eyes of Amber for Snow Queen. Whatdaya think? For Butler, I think one of her books is enough for the list (but if I add the “self-indulgent”/extra-credit section, I’ll toss a couple more of your Butler suggestions in, and I like the story collection idea.
Steve: Collected Stories of AC Clarke may be in. I’m having some minor second thoughts about ALL omnibus editions though. (I love 'em too, but if we’re honest, you don’t have to read ALL of an author’s short stories to be familiar with the author.)
People Trap is a good choice.
And, all kidding aside, Pringle has the one important mark of a good reviewer: he’s consistant.
don Jaimie: I’ll reconsider Clockwork Orange. I think you’re right about Verne over Doyle. And I hadn’t thought of Jurassic Park. I’ll probably include it.
ENugent: I ended up with Nothing of the Dog because I did about half the list from memory and I knew that Willis had to be included, and I loved Nothing. Nothing stands out in one way: It’s the first intentionally funny novel to win the Hugo. (the unfortunate The Wanderer by the usually magnificent Fritz Leiber with it’s “interracial weedbrothers” is the first unintentionally funny Hugo-winner). But your reasoning for Impossible Things is impeccable. I dunno.
Tamerlane: Babel 17 it is, then. Like I said to Steve above, I’m having some second thoughts about Omnibus editions. If I choose no, what about…ohhh…Deathbird Stories?
Hometownboy: There’s a wonderful series listed on that page of hardcovers reprinting ALL of Sturgeon’s short stories, in order, with historical notes. They’re up to Vol. 7. Beautiful packages and great stories!. That said, I’m not going to put a (10?) multi-volume set on the list, so I think that your Selected Stories is a great choice (Even if it leaves out “Microcosmic God” and one of my favorites, silly though it is: “Ether Breather”).
Borders is a great choice and I’ll put it in.
Vonnegut? <sigh> Yeah. I think we need one by him. He was too important for a while to ignore.
You have the Binary Stars edition of “True Names” (backed with “Nightflyers” by Martin)!!! Do you know how much that thing is wor…um…<nonchalantly> soooo, would you be interested in selling that paperback?
(Kidding aside, it’s probably worth about $60.00)
Hyperion is included because A) A lot of people loved it, B) It won the Hugo, C) the “Canterbury Tales” format was unusual and D) I loved the Scholar’s Tale. I hated the non-ending though, enough that I’ve never made it to the sequel.
Shockwave Rider is in, then.
With the Van Rijn stuff: I’ve got 'em all, but I’ve never gotten around to them somehow.
I’m leaning towards Brainwave as the Anderson pick though.
Fenris