I've been trying to convince some people to read some books by Greg Egan, but it has been difficult as most people are not into the idea of basically reading a math, computer science, physics and biology textbook that also happens to have characters and a story. Although the story that is there does a great job at threading the interesting ideas and concepts together. Even with a tiny bit less of a story and it would be dreadfully dull even to me.
this post was submitted on 29 Aug 2023
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but it has been difficult as most people are not into the idea of basically reading a math, computer science, physics and biology textbook that also happens to have characters and a story
Hmm, you might have sold it to me.
Edit: already had diaspora queued up on kindle, will push it to the top
Thanks for the reminder. I really liked diaspora and permutation city, but I haven’t kept up with his work since!
And, again, ignore this comment because it’s just here to force federation.
And also, Saga is really good.
Saga is great! I like the story, but the drawings really bring it home for me.
I allways promote Stanisław Lem, mainly Solaris.
Quick explanation: small group of scientists trying to study a possibly-intelligent ocean (called Solaris).
Why I like it: the worldbuilding is done by providing basic facts about Solaris, plus a lot of Solaristic theories, which creates space for your imagination and new theories. The interactions between humans are realistic and have meaningful dynamics. Every character has their unique perspective and I find it worthy of re-reading from that perspective. And it's also quite short.
I've also read some other Lem's books, but while they aren't bad, I don't find them as excellent as Solaris, maybe with exception of Fables for Robots, The Cyberiad and Memairs found in a Bathtub.
I love Cyberiad, but it’s written in a totally different register from Solaris. Both are amazing works, but it boggles my mind that they were written by the same person.
I enjoy old timey golden age hard scifi series. They are a fascinating time capsule set in the future.
The following two are examples I enjoyed reading, even if they aren’t exactly excellent literature by modern (or really any) standards.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starwolf_(novel_series) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seetee_series
Despite the first book winning the 2021 SPSFC (admittedly, a much less well-known competition than the SPFBO), I almost never see the Primaterre series by S.A. Tholin mentioned. They are doorstoppers, but very well paced, imo: I inhaled the first two books. If you like space opera that manages to avoid a lot of plot tropes, give the series a try!
(Sidenote: if you're put off by the "cosmic horror" label on the first book, I recall there being a couple of mildly gory scenes, but it's mostly in the realm of "unfathomably alien" rather than trying to scare.)
Heinlein. He far from unknown, but he should get even more recognition. Stranger in a strange Land is a deeply philosophical book wrapped in a scifi page turner.
Philip K. Dick is also not as famous as he should be. In particular with The Man in the high Castle, pure poetry!
I just read that Stranger In A Strange Land's original 800 page version was recovered by Mrs. Heinlein and published in 1991 - I'll have to go find a copy! It's one of my top books.
Wow, that’s great news! Thanks for sharing! I read my father’s version, so definitely older than 1991.
I just started reading The Moon is a harsh Mistress, I’m hope it keeps up with the hype.
I was a bit disappointed by Saga, OP. Much preferred Y the Last Man!
There's a first for everything.
Y was pretty fun. Good characters, in particular.
Stop trying to make fanpush happen. It's not going to happen.
No 😁
For real though, Saga is goddamned incredible.
I dread them ever finishing it, because that will inevitably mean an adaptation attempt. There's not exactly a great track record of adapting Vaughan's work, with the notable exception of Ex Machina.
I don't hear about "The Vorkosigan Saga" anywhere near enough for how good it is.
A scientist gets trapped on a planet with only a barbarian idiot warmonger to help her survive.
Eight or so books later and we get to read about the not quite scandal across her space empire when she takes a new lover and her star romping space knight sons can't quite figure out how to handle their new stepdad.
And a lot of star empire drama, ego, heroism, and compassion in between. It's so fun, y'all.