Author Topic: Science Fiction Novel Poll - Group E (Read 13636 times)

Ocicat · **on:** November 04, 2009, 06:55:39 PM

1984 won last week's group, proving that future dysopias set 25 years in the past still hold a lot of weight. Coming in second was Cat's Cradle, a personal favorite of mine and several other posters. And for those of you who haven't read it, there's still time to get to it before the playoffs start, which should be in January.

Three books tied for third place, thus not quite making the payoffs. Good showings by 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, and Snow Crash (which I was sure was going to make first or second place - but am gratified since I personally hated it).

This week we have another political dystopia, another Dune, another Asimov robot book, the funniest book on the SF shelves, and the actual first Science Fiction novel ever written. And lots more fantastic stuff besides, but only two can move on to the next round...

Swamp · **Reply #1 on:** November 04, 2009, 08:07:39 PM

I really hope Farenheit 451 takes this one. It's one of my all-time favorites. I though about not voting for anything else, but Hyperion and Frankenstein also got a vote from me.

DKT · **Reply #2 on:** November 04, 2009, 09:28:47 PM

Fahrenheit 451 is probably the book that made me fall in love with reading. I love it so

Wow, I was able to vote for quite a few this time around. And the ones I didn't vote for, it was mostly because I haven't read them, not because I don't like them. Glad to see Banks again. Hope he does better this time than last week, although I'm doubtful he'll be able to touch Bradbury or Frankenstein.

eytanz · **Reply #3 on:** November 04, 2009, 10:03:33 PM

Use of Weapons is by far Banks's best novel, but the competition is really tough this time.

I have to say I am finding myself less interested in these polls as time goes along, as it is very clear that a lot of great novels are losing out because they are not as well known. Which means two things:

A - The books that survive the rounds tend to be very famous, and I probably already have an opinion about them, so it's not that useful to me as a guide.
B - Among the books that have low scores that I have read, there are some I really love and others I can't stand. Therefore, I assume the same is true of the (many) books with low scores I haven't read. As a result, I can't use low scores as a guide for reading either.

So all that's left for me is the frustration of seeing the usual suspects (Orwell, Bradbury, Adams) beat out my favourites again and again. Not that the classic status of those authors isn't well earned, mind you - I have a huge amount of respect for most of the really big names on the list. But the thing about classics is that everyone already knows about them, and therefore the fact that they appear on lists is uninteresting.

Maybe, if I have time, and Ocicat's permission, I will try to run an ancilliary poll based on the books who get middle range scores in this poll. That might give rise to some interesting readings ideas...

DKT · **Reply #4 on:** November 04, 2009, 10:10:17 PM

Quote from: eytanz on November 04, 2009, 10:03:33 PM

Maybe, if I have time, and Ocicat's permission, I will try to run an ancilliary poll based on the books who get middle range scores in this poll. That might give rise to some interesting readings ideas...

I think that would be really cool, personally.

kibitzer · **Reply #5 on:** November 04, 2009, 10:18:12 PM

Wow, this is a tough one. And I haven't read a bunch of things I "should" have. Haven't read "Fahrenheit 451" or "Gateway". I might have read "Caves of Steel" but I can't remember. Haven't read "Use of Weapons".

I HAVE read Hyperion and make no bones about the whole Cantos being in my personal Top Ten. (One day I must write down my Top Ten; I'm sure there's more than 10 ;-) There were a couple of concepts in there that approached epiphanies for me -- you know that wonderful point when the thing you're reading opens up a new area of thought in your head? That "AHA!" moment? You know what I mean, right? The Cantos has several of those. It's what I love best about reading, and sci-fi is what gives me that most.

"Lord of Light" is possibly in my 10 as well.

"Frankenstein" is great and classic and all but it's so boring and long. It's that century's writing style, perhaps, but I find it tedious to read.

"The Doomsday Book" is a very clever and thoughtful work which I enjoyed but it didn't "wow" me.

As for "God Emperor of Dune", weeeell... I did read that one. Didn't read any others after that.

Ocicat · **Reply #6 on:** November 04, 2009, 10:19:04 PM

Quote from: eytanz on November 04, 2009, 10:03:33 PM

Maybe, if I have time, and Ocicat's permission, I will try to run an ancilliary poll based on the books who get middle range scores in this poll. That might give rise to some interesting readings ideas...

Ya, sure! I'd wait until January when the sixteen novels that are going to make it into the second round are finalized. The playoffs themselves will run several months, but only have those big name books (facing off 1-v-1) in them. But I'd love to see some more polls and more discussion of the under appreciated gems. Though personally I'm pleased that books like Cat's Cradle and Flowers for Algernon are getting the nod in these polls - those aren't what are usually considered among the SF greats.

Bdoomed · **Reply #7 on:** November 05, 2009, 12:59:45 AM

Some of you might know how much I love The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy... for those of you who dont...

I FRIGGIN LOVE THESE BOOKS!

All five (that's right you 4th and 5th book haters, ALL FIVE) are my top favorite book(s) of all time.
I count 'em all as one book really, more so because I own them all in one volume, but also because I don't think you get the full experience without reading all five. Screw you people who don't like the last ones. You all can just cease to exist like Dent for all I care! :O

Other than that, I liked Fahrenheit 451 a lot but didn't vote for it so my vote counts more for HHG.

Sorry Mr. Bradbury! I read that book, like 1984, in 8th grade as one of my first tastes of what I consider 'good' literature, the details of which I won't go into. Anyway those books were some of the first that I was forced to think more about than just a normal reading.

But again, sorry, but HHG takes my vote.

Heradel · **Reply #8 on:** November 05, 2009, 01:03:38 AM

Quote from: Bdoomed on November 05, 2009, 12:59:45 AM

Some of you might know how much I love The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy... for those of you who dont...

I FRIGGIN LOVE THESE BOOKS!

All five (that's right you 4th and 5th book haters, ALL FIVE)

There are six.

Bdoomed · **Reply #9 on:** November 05, 2009, 01:06:54 AM

Quote from: Heradel on November 05, 2009, 01:03:38 AM

Quote from: Bdoomed on November 05, 2009, 12:59:45 AM
Some of you might know how much I love The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy... for those of you who dont...

I FRIGGIN LOVE THESE BOOKS!

All five (that's right you 4th and 5th book haters, ALL FIVE)

There are six.

Young Zaphod Plays It Safe I consider a short story

but yes I guess I should have said 6.

Heradel · **Reply #10 on:** November 05, 2009, 01:18:23 AM

Quote from: Bdoomed on November 05, 2009, 01:06:54 AM

Quote from: Heradel on November 05, 2009, 01:03:38 AM
Quote from: Bdoomed on November 05, 2009, 12:59:45 AM
Some of you might know how much I love The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy... for those of you who dont...

I FRIGGIN LOVE THESE BOOKS!

All five (that's right you 4th and 5th book haters, ALL FIVE)

There are six.
Young Zaphod Plays It Safe I consider a short story but yes I guess I should have said 6.

There are six even without Young Zaphod.

lowky · **Reply #11 on:** November 05, 2009, 01:18:50 AM

I really should give Farenheit another try. Granted I was in fourth grade at the time and I could read and understand Frankenstein, but at the time I was bored by Farenheit. and I have to drop a vote in for HGttG.

Bdoomed · **Reply #12 on:** November 05, 2009, 01:30:02 AM

Quote from: Heradel on November 05, 2009, 01:18:23 AM

There are six even without Young Zaphod.

No.

Doesn't count.

of course now i have to read it.
http://www.amazon.com/Another-Thing-Eoin-Colfer/dp/1401323588/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_1/escapepod-20 in case anyone else wants to, I put this link here because it's been EP-ized and so EP will get some profit from me buying it from here

Anarkey · **Reply #13 on:** November 05, 2009, 12:48:28 PM

Wish I'd read the Connie Willis, because I bet I'd vote for it but alas, I can only vote for the usual suspects in this round.

Thereby compounding the problem eytanz described above. BTW, eytanz, one of the reasons I was all "Blindsight!" in an earlier iteration is because I knew not enough people would have read it for it to come out on top even though it's soooooo good. So the poll can still be useful if one culls the comments for people looking to promote their favorite underdog reads.

I'll jot down "Use of Weapons". Lots and lots of people have told me I need to read Banks but I confuse him with Ian McDonald all the time about whom I feel a little uneasy after reading a couple of short stories in year's bests. So I see Banks and think "oh he's the guy who writes that India stuff that makes me uneasy". Only he's not. I'll try harder to distinguish them!

kibitzer · **Reply #14 on:** November 06, 2009, 02:16:31 AM

Quote from: Anarkey on November 05, 2009, 12:48:28 PM

I'll jot down "Use of Weapons". Lots and lots of people have told me I need to read Banks but I confuse him with Ian McDonald all the time about whom I feel a little uneasy after reading a couple of short stories in year's bests. So I see Banks and think "oh he's the guy who writes that India stuff that makes me uneasy". Only he's not. I'll try harder to distinguish them!

It's worth noting that a lot of Banks' contemporary novels are quite outstanding. I'd recommend "The Crow Road" and "Espedair Street" (my two faves). But you can give "A Song of Stone" a miss.

kibitzer · **Reply #15 on:** November 06, 2009, 02:17:32 AM

Fascinating (to me) that Frankenstein is rating so high.

eytanz · **Reply #16 on:** November 06, 2009, 06:11:59 AM

Quote from: kibitzer on November 06, 2009, 02:16:31 AM

Quote from: Anarkey on November 05, 2009, 12:48:28 PM
I'll jot down "Use of Weapons". Lots and lots of people have told me I need to read Banks but I confuse him with Ian McDonald all the time about whom I feel a little uneasy after reading a couple of short stories in year's bests. So I see Banks and think "oh he's the guy who writes that India stuff that makes me uneasy". Only he's not. I'll try harder to distinguish them!

It's worth noting that a lot of Banks' contemporary novels are quite outstanding. I'd recommend "The Crow Road" and "Espedair Street" (my two faves). But you can give "A Song of Stone" a miss.

In his non-SF novels, I'd definitely recommend "Espedair Street", and also "The Wasp Factory" - it's a bit over the top at times but it certainly is well worth reading. I am less of a "Crow Road" fan than most who read it, though I do agree it's a good book. "The Bridge" - a book whose genre is hard to classify though it's certainly closer in style and tone to Banks's non-SF than to his SF - left me scratching my head, but in a good way.

"A Song of Stone" left me scratching my head, and not in a good way.

Oh, and back at the SF domain, "Feersum Endjinn" is gimmicky, difficult to read, but ultimately very rewarding.

Quote

Fascinating (to me) that Frankenstein is rating so high.

I think a lot of people are factoring in historical influence as a criteria. I know I am, though I use it more as a tie-breaker between books I like rather than as a main criterion.

Scattercat · **Reply #17 on:** November 06, 2009, 07:10:35 AM

FWIW, I legitimately enjoyed "Frankenstein" on its own merits. I liked the language and the story construction, even if I thought my classmates at the time were effing nuts. (I was in college. I'd signed up for a course on "The Grotesque in Gothic Literature." Sounds like a slam-dunk of a course, right? Turns out "grotesque" meant "six weeks on 'Lady Chatterly' and a professor who has no control over either his class or his vocal cords." I timed his "Ummmmm" once. FIVE MINUTES. And then the class discussion on "Frankenstein," dear sweet Lord. They all ended up coming to nodding consensus that "Frankenstein" was actually about how Dr. Frankenstein was secretly gay, and his need to create the Creature was his quest to create his perfect gay lover, whom he threw out upon finishing because he didn't want to realize his gay love for his creation. I don't know how the Creature's request for a bride figured into this.)

kibitzer · **Reply #18 on:** November 06, 2009, 07:46:59 AM

Quote from: eytanz on November 06, 2009, 06:11:59 AM

Oh, and back at the SF domain, "Feersum Endjinn" is gimmicky, difficult to read, but ultimately very rewarding.

That's a succinctly brilliant way to describe both Feersum Endjinn and The Bridge. Both I found difficult, yet both have stayed with me. Definitely ones to read again.

kibitzer · **Reply #19 on:** November 06, 2009, 07:48:55 AM

Quote from: Scattercat on November 06, 2009, 07:10:35 AM

They all ended up coming to nodding consensus that "Frankenstein" was actually about how Dr. Frankenstein was secretly gay, and his need to create the Creature was his quest to create his perfect gay lover, whom he threw out upon finishing because he didn't want to realize his gay love for his creation. I don't know how the Creature's request for a bride figured into this.)

You're joking, right? Please say you're joking! FFS!!

Sgarre1 · **Reply #20 on:** November 06, 2009, 01:46:54 PM

The homosexual interpretation of FRANKENSTEIN is not unknown or all that odd. Just as easy to interpret FRANKENSTEIN as masturbation analogue - Man makes child without woman and this leads to awfulness. Lots of people can think lots of things about lots of books.

Swamp · **Reply #21 on:** November 06, 2009, 04:45:31 PM

My wild interpretation of Frankenstein is that it is a story about a scientist who gets so caught up in his work that he created life without asking if he should, but just wanted to prove that he could. Then it's an examination of the consequences of such an act. I voted for it because I really enjoy it as a fantastic example of the essance of science fiction where the author asks "what if this were possible" and then explores the ramifications and scenarios that could develop as a result.

People can read into it whatever they want, but I would think the homosexual connection would be the way society reacts to the monster as an outcast without judging him based on his merits. I was at a party once where a gay couple were making fun of striat people who thought all historical and iconic figures were secretly gay. Every since then I've realized that it's true. I didn't forsee Frankenstein, but hey, here it is. I don't discourage it. It is fun to hear others' interpretations.

DKT · **Reply #22 on:** November 06, 2009, 05:29:28 PM

I didn't like Frankenstein when I read it in high school but I recently listened to it over at the Classic Tales Podcast and it blew my mind. My interpretation of it is more of a creation myth, but again, we read into it what we will

Quote from: Scattercat on November 06, 2009, 07:10:35 AM

(I was in college. I'd signed up for a course on "The Grotesque in Gothic Literature." Sounds like a slam-dunk of a course, right? Turns out "grotesque" meant "six weeks on 'Lady Chatterly' and a professor who has no control over either his class or his vocal cords." I timed his "Ummmmm" once. FIVE MINUTES.

It is amazing to me how people are trained to be teachers for grades K-12, but in college professors are trained to be experts. Which they should be, but for some that's all they care about, and it still makes for some incredibly boring lectures.

Scattercat · **Reply #23 on:** November 06, 2009, 07:05:55 PM

Quote from: Sgarre1 on November 06, 2009, 01:46:54 PM

The homosexual interpretation of FRANKENSTEIN is not unknown or all that odd. Just as easy to interpret FRANKENSTEIN as masturbation analogue - Man makes child without woman and this leads to awfulness. Lots of people can think lots of things about lots of books.

Masturbation is easier than "secret gay lover," since at least the "making a child alone" thing fits with the actual events of the book and isn't made up whole cloth. I could have taken that idea more or less seriously.

Sgarre1 · **Reply #24 on:** November 06, 2009, 08:16:17 PM

Quote

and isn't made up whole cloth.

others could argue...

http://paganpressbooks.com/SADOWNCK.HTM