Subj : Re: Good Older Fantasy &
To : Boraxman
From : Gamgee
Date : Fri May 09 2025 07:59 am
-=> Boraxman wrote to Gamgee <=-
-=> Gamgee wrote to Foriest Jan Smith <=-
FJS> I've been getting into lots of older sci-fi stuff as of late (the old X
FJS> Minus One serials, Jules Verne, some older sci-fi anthologies I own
FJS> from the 70s and 80s (Machines That Think, edited by Isaac Asimov is
FJS> what got me into sci-fi!), but I'm itching for more good stuff. I do
FJS> have an older copy of the Foundation Trilogy I've been meaning to try
FJS> but I'm wondering if there's any other good sci-fi of the 50s-60s I
FJS> should keep an eye out for (I have half a mind to look for more sci-fi
FJS> pulp magazines, lol).
Ga> I have always considered the Foundation Trilogy to be the "gold
Ga> standard" of science fiction. Doesn't get any better. Read that
Ga> first. Be advised that there are 3-4 "sequel" books to that trilogy,
Ga> that are pretty much garbage. Stick with the original three.
Bo> I only know of two sequel books, and a prequel or two. I've read two
Bo> of the sequels, Foundations Edge and Foundation and Earth. There is a
Bo> distinctly different tone and atmosphere, and both follow a different
Bo> story arc, with the second continuing from the first. I think pretty
Bo> much every other Asimov book or story I've read, I rate higher than
Bo> these two. I have one of the prequels which I found at a second hand
Bo> bookstore and got out of curiosity, but my expectations are low.
Yes, that is correct now that I think about it. I grouped the
additional books all as "sequels", but you're right - some were
"prequels". All of them were disappointing, at least to me.
FJS> On the same note, I've completely neglected Fantasy. I have yet to find
FJS> ANY fantasy novels I like. A penpal sent me some ebooks of authors like
FJS> Anne McCaffery, Brandon Sanderson, E.E. Knight, etc. I had already had
FJS> some interest--having read some older short stories by Robert E. Howard
FJS> (I'd love some recommendationso f those if you have any). But I'm
FJS> mainly interested getting my hands on anything decent fantasy wise that
FJS> isn't anime or Skyrim, lol.
FJS> If anyone has any recommendations of either, I'm dying to know!
Ga> Well, again the "gold standard" (IMHO) of this genre is The Lord of the
Ga> Rings. Three books, doesn't get any better. Oh - there is a "prequel"
Ga> to these three called "The Hobbit", which should DEFINITELY be read
Ga> first.
Ga> That should keep you busy for a little while. ;-)
Bo> My uncle lent me Lord of the Rings when I was 9 or so. He was quite
Bo> the Tolkein
Bo> fan, but as far as I know, not into fantasy, just Tolkein. I had
Bo> already read the Hobbit by then, and quite enjoyed it, but the size of
Bo> Lord of the Rings was daunting and the pace slower. It sat on the back
Bo> burner and I didn't read it until much later in life.
You're not the only person who has done those books in that way. ;-)
Bo> It IS the gold
Bo> standard of fantasy, and set the template for many other fantasy works
Bo> later. Tolkein was to fantasy what iD Software was to First Person
Bo> Shooters, but to be honest, that may be UNDER stating it.
As a former ID Software addict, I am 100% in agreement; and great
analogy! ;-)
