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comment by user-inactivated
user-inactivated  ·  3124 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Let's create a list of essential scifi books

    In my opinion, people could go their entire lifetimes without reading any Frank Herbert, 99% of Asimov, 99% of Heinlein, 95% of Clarke, any Ian Banks, any Neal Stephenson or any Philip K Dick. These are the books that make people who don't like sci fi hate sci fi.

These are also the most famous names in science fiction, so I think what you're saying isn't fair. Tautology -- people who don't really like scifi also don't like the most famous scifi authors. Unsurprising, but not what you should use to guide a list of recommendations to someone who's going in blind.





kleinbl00  ·  3124 days ago  ·  link  ·  

I've got a Heinlein, a Clarke and an Asimov in my list.

Dune? Dune is the least shit book of a shit series. Stephenson? Yeah, Snow Crash is Neuromancer with puns. Stick to William Gibson.

Sorry about your cat, but "essential" sci fi doesn't have to include stuff that only nerds like.

jleopold  ·  3124 days ago  ·  link  ·  

I think non-nerds would enjoy Dune more than Ringworld, for instance. Yeah, it's a shit series, and by far not the best written sci-fi book ever, but it is a purely enjoyable and epic story. I think a large part of it's value is that the sci-fi components tend to act more as an accompaniment to the plot rather than as major devices themselves.

kleinbl00  ·  3124 days ago  ·  link  ·  

You might be right. I'll admit that I enjoyed reading Dune but was so soured on my experience by Dune Messiah that the book has been tarnished ever since.

The plot is basically The Once and Future King without Merlin.

ilikeballoons  ·  3116 days ago  ·  link  ·  

I finished Dune a while back, but I just started reading Dune Messiah. I'm about 2 or 3 chapters in... should I stop now?

kleinbl00  ·  3116 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Millions of people love Dune. Dune Messiah was the book that changed my mind. Your mileage may vary.

ooli  ·  3124 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Indeed. I would recommend Ringworld. but as a curiosity. The story is far shitier than dune once they reach the ring. It become a listing of every weird climate, and anecdotal nonsensical monster. Dune is coherent bottom to finish. Not a freak-show.

OftenBen  ·  3124 days ago  ·  link  ·  

    Dune

    Not a freak-show

PIck one lol.