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/lit/ - Literature

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3819832 No.3819832 [Reply] [Original]

I like science fiction, but when it comes to literature, I've never really gone into anything beyond the early 20th century. I'm thinking of getting into Arthur C. Clarke, since 2001 is one of my favorite science fiction movies, but I'm not sure if I should start with that or not. Is there another Clarke novel lit might recommend for me? Or is there a different science fiction author you'd recommend over Clarke for my first foray into modern science fiction?

>> No.3819853

I don't understand, do you want literature or science fiction?

>> No.3819861

>>3819853
Don't start this shit again.

>> No.3819866

>>3819853
Call it whatever you want, just point me in a direction.

>> No.3819869

>>3819866
Proper literature and science fiction are mutually exclusive.

>> No.3819870

A real auteur would investigate Scientology materials, the most influential science fiction of modern times.

>> No.3819876

Have you read 1984? Brave New World? Fahrenheit 451? Slaughterhouse 5?

>> No.3819877

I think Clarke is a good place to start, try Rendezvous with Rama.

Someone will recommend you read Asimovs Foundation but it's dry as hell if you're looking for an adventure novel or whatever

>> No.3819885

Alastair Reynolds
Iain M Banks
Peter F Hamilton
Vernor Vinge
Greg Bear
Charles Stross

>> No.3819892

Gene Wolfe

>> No.3819898

>>3819877
Adventure isn't that important. I own The Foundation trilogy. It had been recommended to me a few years ago, but what I've heard about it never peaked my interest all that much.

>> No.3819902

William Gibson
Joe Haldeman
Philip K. Dick

>> No.3819905

>>3819885
>>3819892
I've only heard of a couple of these. I'll look into the names I recognize.

>> No.3819911

Brave New World (shit tbh)
1984 (good)
Vonnegut (read one book by him before and thought it was decent but it was so long ago)
Lucian's True History (hilarious)

>>3819877
Asimov writes great stories, in my opinion. They are not all quality, though. I'm In Marsport Without Hilda (or something along those lines) is a hilarious short story and well-written.

Most of the above were very enjoyable but I'm not going to imply they're one of my favorites and least of all ~fine literature~. >>3819869 is a bit right, literature to me is about coming to terms with the world and scifi/fantasy is about escapism/realising an unlikely or impossible scenario.

>> No.3819923

>>3819911
I have to disagree. Perhaps because I've only really read science fiction from authors like H.G. Wells and Jules Verne, but good science fiction is always about coming to terms with the world. It tricks the reader into dealing with actual issues by placing the topic in a fantastical context.

>> No.3819947

>>3819877
i read rama, and it was a cool story and clarke has a great imagination, but i didnt care about any of his characters, i wasnt very emotionally invested, and i didnt learn anything profound. i have to agree with >>3819869 here.

asimov does, indeed, write great stories. "last question" and "last answer" showcase his unparalleled imagination and intelligence. theyre very provocative stories, but again, its not "proper literature." still worth the read. fascinating man.

my high school english teacher started teaching "ender's game" after i graduated. i havent read it and dont know to what extent it is proper literature, but my teacher has pretty high taste and can be quite the elitist, so its possible there's something to be found in it.

>> No.3819953

also, someone was telling me about ray bradbury arguing that science fiction is the truest literature for some reason. cant tell you where to find it, but you can probably internet it

>> No.3819957

Margaret Atwood

>> No.3819977

>>3819832
Childhood's End is my favorite Arthur C Clarke book.

There's no real reason to read 2001: A Space Odyssey. The movie is the superior version.

>> No.3819998

>>3819977
I just read about Childhood's End. It sounds interesting. Thanks.

>> No.3821907

I would highly recommend Dune by Frank Herbert, The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin, The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury, and The Long Walk and The Running Man by Richard Bachman (Stephen King)