The years of Rice and Salt

[gurey25]

This is a remarkable book by one of my favorite Science fiction writers.
The best Science fiction writers are also good historians.
Kim Stanley Robinson is both.

The book is a look at alternative history and asks one outragous question.
What if the Black Plaque kill 90% of Europes population instead of 30% in the 1300's.

This would leave a World where Islam, India and China compete for world Dominance.
Kim stanley Robinson is one of the few writers out there with a deep understanding of Islamic history, and one of the first to use Muslim charecters in books, most notably his many Sufi immigrants in the Mars Trilogy.

Loved the book back in 2002 when it was first released, and i recomend it for its fresh insight.



http://www.npr.org/programs/wesun/featu ... /robinson/

[B-MAX]

"This is a remarkable book by one of my favorite Science fiction writers. "

You must be the biggest fan of Sci-Fic channel. A channel that i begged my Cable-Carrier to Exclude it from my Channel-package if possible.
I'd rather watch/pay for Nascar channel than a Sci-Fic!

[gurey25]

Sci -Fi refers to mostly whats on televions and its sucks big time.
Star Trek and Star Wars are not real science fiction, and any true lover of science fiction finds Star Wars deeply insulting.

I loathe that bastard George Lucas for creating that trash.
9 out of 10 science fiction on TV is utter crap

[B-MAX]

What's the Difference then! They're all called Science fiction, right?

[QansaGabeyle]

[gurey25]

One is meant for the average audience and attracts them by showing
big special effects, and big green aliens.
No story or substance.


Most of the best science fiction is very rich, has intricate plots and deep charecters. It also contains another genre as well, for example you could find a good murder mytery, advanced technology, political intrigue, Romance and for some allot of provocative erotica.

Thats why more and more women are getting into science fiction,
already some of the bestselling are women.

[Niya]

Brother Gurey, you are one of the coolest guys on this site, always posting interesting posts. I will check out the link.

[muslim-man]

^^^why not be straightforward with guy the and say to him ""aboowe gurey waa kaahelay" instead of beating aorund the bush by hiding behind some article you haven't even taken time to read

[PragmaticGal]

Gurey,

Frank Herbert's "Dune" stories (5 or 6 books) have characters who are descendants of Muslims. Since the story is set millenia into the future in distant planets (humanity has largely forgotten their ancestral solar system), the beliefs of these "Muslims" are very unusual to say the least. Nevertheless, Dune was a huge best seller when it was written in the 70's.

On the topic of good science fiction, I tend to prefer the ones with a biological bent, like Robert Charles Wilson, Robert Sawyer (hmmm,I don't know, maybe science education in Canada is superior), and/or hard science fiction a la Robert L. Forward. But I have been on a binge with the classics lately, like Asimov, Heinlein, Clarke, and Herbert.

By the way, women sci-fi writers aren't in it for the romance: Ursula K. LeGuin ("The Left Hand of Darkness" is a classic), Sheri S. Tepper, Octavia Butler etc were writing thoughtful novels long before either of us was born.

[gurey25]

Frank Herbert based is Fremen charecters in the Dune saga on the Tuareg Berber tribes. He copied the culture of the Tuareg along with thier semi- matriarchal society and their female priesthood within an islamic society, and thier aggressive warlike nature. He just added a ting of Budhism to their religion.


Robert charles wilson and Robert sawyer ?
Not bad but i didnt know they were both Canadians.
I prefer british authors like Peter F Hamilton, Stephen Baxter and Alaister Reynolds , more towards cyberpunk and space opera than biological.
David brin is my favorite american author.

You cant go wrong with the classics, i fell in love with Science Fiction reading Asimov, and Arthur C Clark, Robert Hienlien and ofcourse
how can i forget the late Frank Herbert.

You should check out Kim Stanley Robinson work as they lean more towards Religion and environmentalism all within a hard science fiction environment, and also charecter driven.


I know women authors are mainstream and have been since the 70's
but for some reason only Ursula k le guin had some appeal to me,
maybe i should look up more female authors.


What ive recently read was Illium by Dan simmons.
Where else but in Science fiction do you get a story that links
Shakespears "the tempest", Homers Illiad along with the whole trojan war, with Meddling Gods and sentient robotic life forms.

[simplicity-]

just book marking

[PragmaticGal]

Thanks gurey, I'll check out Robinson, and you definitely made Simmons' book sound intriguing.

For space opera, try Lois McMaster Bujold, I really enjoyed her works. Mystery sci fi, military sci fi, romance sci fi, she does it all, sometimes in the same book. Stephen R. Donaldson writes mostly fantasy (the seminal Thomas Covenant series), but there's a sci fi series of his I really liked.

Speaking of fantasy, ever read George R. R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series? They are exceptionally good, not like the sword-and-sorcery crap Robert Jordan et al indulge in.

Le Guin is in a league of her own, but Octavia Butler is probably the only black sci fi author I ever read, and I really like some of her books. Read Kindred at least. Don't waste your time with Sheri S. Tepper, except for her early work. She's gotten awfully preachy and unoriginal lately. And she has no faith in humanity whatsoever.

[gurey25]

Thanks Pragmaticgirl ill check out Butler and Lois Mcmaster Bujold, shes seems to write similiar to Peter F.Hamilton one of my favorite who specialises in Mystery and Millitary scifi.

I was surprised that there were quite a few women writers in military scifi.
Elizabeth moon and sometimes Anne Macafery comes to mind.
I would say Anne macafery is in the same league as Le guin.

As for fantasy im not much of a fan, i like my stories to have even a tiny amount of plausibility.
Some Science fiction writers write both, Orson Scott Card is a good example.Infact i used one of his bools "Enders Game" to coonvert my sister to Science fiction. Shes a voracious reader but hated Sciencefiction.
Orson Scott Card also has his own Forum where he actively engages with his fans, and uses thier input in his works.
Too bad he's a republican, but its fun debating with him.