Does anyone have any suggestions for really "out there" SF?
Things along the lines of Cordwainer Smith's Underpeople.
Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :
Cordwainer Smith was my first thought on seeing the topic title...for some other really outre stuff, I'd recommend the works of James Tiptree, Jr., if you can lay your hands on any of it.
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
How about Iain Banks and his "Culture" novels. The two I know best are EXCESSION and LOOK TO WINDWARD.
After more thought -- what about Karl Schroeder, especially his novel LADY OF MAZES.
[This message has been edited by arriki (edited November 01, 2007).]
Posted by sakubun (Member # 5719) on :
James Tiptree, Jr. (August 24, 1915 – May 19, 1987) was the pen name of American science fiction author Alice Bradley Sheldon, used from 1967 to her death. She also occasionally wrote under the pseudonym Raccoona Sheldon (1974–77). Tiptree/Sheldon was most notable for breaking down the barriers between writing perceived as inherently "male" or "female" — it was not publicly known until 1977 that James Tiptree, Jr. was a woman.
Posted by lehollis (Member # 2883) on :
quote:James Tiptree, Jr. (August 24, 1915 – May 19, 1987) was the pen name of....
Off topic, but yet another writer that shares a birthday with OSC (myself included.)
Too bad it really doesn't mean anything for literary success.
Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :
I remember Brian W. Aldiss wrote a novel about these aliens (at least I think they were aliens), who, essentially, live in, er, a certain word beginning with "S" that we agreed not to use here. I read it...but I can't remember the title...
Is that weird enough?
Posted by TaleSpinner (Member # 5638) on :
The Aldiss book was 'The Dark Lightyears'.
Pat
Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :
Yes, that's it. Probably blotted it out because the subject was so unpleasant...
For an odder turn of thought, and usually a funnier one, try the stories of Howard Waldrop. The ideas are so bizarre that the stories stay with you...