Fantasy and Science Fiction Authors
In his comments on my last entry, Mason McElroy writes:
I would really like some recommendations for good Fantasy/Sci-Fi novels and short stories. I have read the obvious candidates: Tolkien, Lewis, and a little Gene Wolfe. Other than those I am not very familiar with good Fantasy or Sci-Fi authors. Thanks. (Especially to Mr. Barach since I kind of hijacked his Blog.)
Any suggestions for him?
Here are some of my suggestions: Jack Vance, Cordwainer Smith, Avram Davidson, Tim Powers, and James Blaylock. I’m a big fan of Gene Wolfe. I’ve liked some of Neil Gaiman’s work. I’m told that Orson Scott Card (or as Gene Wolfe parodied it once, Oar Scottson Curd) and Vernor Vinge are good, and some people I’ve seen have liked John C. Wright.
Most of that list, I realize, is recent. There are some very good science fiction and fantasy writers from the mid-20th century. I’ve enjoyed stories by C. M. Kornbluth, Henry Kuttner, Edmund Hamilton, L. Sprague DeCamp, and others. It would take a while, though, for me to put together a list of their really good material since all of those writers wrote some quick and sloppy stuff, too.
But I especially look forward to hearing what some other people recommend. Suggestions?