What do you think Are the Best Classic Fantasy And Science Fiction Books and Stories of All Time?

[Amberlen]

Quite a good list .

Thanks @BAYLOR

 

[BAYLOR]

I wish I had thought to say that, but I didn't, so I'll just agree enthusiastically.

Apologies for my very late on my reply , I missed your comment . But, I found Time and Again is one the finest novels ive ever read. Im surprised that it's never been adapted for film or television.

 

[BAYLOR]

Deathbird Stories by Harlan Ellison A great collection of stories by one of the greatest writers of all time.

 

[ZlodeyVolk]

The Word For World Is Forest by Ursula K Leguin.

Eye in the Sky, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? and VALIS by Philip K Dick.

We Who Are About To... by Joanna Russ

All are books I've read in the last few years, and which stuck with me. I think it's something about their unflinching way of looking at humanity with a wry, dark humour that doesn't omit the capacity for a person to be 'bad' or make mistakes. Great reads.

I'm adding my vote for Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep; I've read my first copy to pieces!

 

[Artoriarius]

The Once and Future King is definitely my favourite fantasy novel, and my biggest influence when it comes to writing Arthurian fiction.

As for science fiction? I'm actually torn between the Retief stories of Keith Laumer and the Telzey Amberdon stories of James H. Schmitz (which are, technically, both a series of short stories rather than a stand-alone book, but I was introduced to them as a collection from Baen, so I figure they count.) Both series are absolutely enthralling; Retief's always funny, especially when it comes to Retief's... less-than-brilliant superiors (let's just say they have a tendency to resemble a certain pointy-haired boss) and the Telzey stories are worth reading for how awesome Telzey is (one of the stories involves a loony director cloning Telzey. It wasn't even an evil clone, which might be excused - just an exact duplicate of the telepathic, badass heroine. Cue one definite nomination for the Space Darwin Awards...)

 

[BAYLOR]

The High Crsade by Poul Anderson

 

[Guillermo Stitch]

On the science fiction side, whenever this question comes up, I usually at least mention Theodore Sturgeon's More Than Human.

There are science fictin books I coud give a much more detailed response to (it's many years since I read Mre Than Human) but I'm not sure any book in the genre ever got under my skin in the same way. It's creepy in the best possible sense.

 

[BAYLOR]

On the science fiction side, whenever this question comes up, I usually at least mention Theodore Sturgeon's More Than Human.

There are science fictin books I coud give a much more detailed response to (it's many years since I read Mre Than Human) but I'm not sure any book in the genre ever got under my skin in the same way. It's creepy in the best possible sense.

Its a great book and wit the right director , it. could be a great film too.

 

[logan_run]

H.g. wells war of the worlds
Issac Asimov I robot
Martian chronicles Ray bradbury

 

[BAYLOR]

H.g. wells war of the worlds
Issac Asimov I robot
Martian chronicles Ray bradbury

All great choices.

 

[Al Jackson]

The Broken Sword Poul Anderson . Superb novel one of his best.

I remember , back the 1960s, when I read Lord of the Rings , and was impressed, I asked a knowable friend if there was any more fantasy like Tolkien , he said The Broken Sword. I was impressed , a much more adult sword and sorcery than LToR. Very clever use of Norse mythology as world building. Kind of wish when Anderson wrote more fantasy he had used this 'word' more.

 

[Al Jackson]

And what is it about them that makes them great or memorable? What new ground if any did they break ?

This topic covers every era.

Thoughts?
.

Uh... for science fiction can be no better list than the HUGO winners!

Hugo Award for Best Novel - Wikipedia

 

[Cathbad]

Uh... for science fiction can be no better list than the HUGO winners!

Hugo Award for Best Novel - Wikipedia

Although there's only a handful of those I wouldn't agree with, I rarely rely on awards/critics to tell me what to read. Often, works that win awards or that critics love, I rather hate.

 

[Al Jackson]

Although there's only a handful of those I wouldn't agree with, I rarely rely on awards/critics to tell me what to read. Often, works that win awards or that critics love, I rather hate.

I always check it out , but I voted for the HUGO winners from 1960 to 1980 and mostly found I agreed with the consensus. (I have been too busy since 1980 to really read much fiction of any kind.)
When it comes to critics I find those who defend their opinion with a good arguments well put , then I follow them, if they are good, I generally agree with them. I don't like critics who can't give me good reasons for liking or not liking something. (Or no reasons at all!) ( I love a good analysis.)

 

[BAYLOR]

I remember , back the 1960s, when I read Lord of the Rings , and was impressed, I asked a knowable friend if there was any more fantasy like Tolkien , he said The Broken Sword. I was impressed , a much more adult sword and sorcery than LToR. Very clever use of Norse mythology as world building. Kind of wish when Anderson wrote more fantasy he had used this 'word' more.

The High Crusade in which Aliens invade medieval England with the mistaken belief that they'll have no problem conquering a bunch of primitives . This book is a joy to read. .

My favorite short sorties by him

The Star Plunderers

Lord of a Thousand Suns

Conan the Liberator This novel is a prequel to Robert E Howard's story Queen of the Black Coast . Its a pretty good Conan pastiche I wish he'd written one or two more.

 

[Al Jackson]

The High Crusade in which Aliens invade medieval England with the mistaken belief that they'll have no problem conquering a bunch of primitives . This book is a joy to read. .

My favorite short sorties by him

The Star Plunderers

Lord of a Thousand Suns

Conan the Liberator This novel is a prequel to Robert E Howard's story Queen of the Black Coast . Its a pretty good Conan pastiche I wish he'd written one or two more.

The High Crusade is a unique novel, I don't really know of anything like it. There is a 1995 movie version, I have never seen it, from the reviews it was not a very good adaptation.
You know with everybody from HBO to Netflix looking for source material that is good but off center High Crusade sure would be that, if done right.

Another off and totally surprising novel that would make a good visual drama is L. Sprague de Camp's Lest Darkness Fall , a unique time travel story that is way more than a rework of A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court. A smart and funny novel.

 

[BAYLOR]

The High Crusade is a unique novel, I don't really know of anything like it. There is a 1995 movie version, I have never seen it, from the reviews it was not a very good adaptation.
You know with everybody from HBO to Netflix looking for source material that is good but off center High Crusade sure would be that, if done right.

Another off and totally surprising novel that would make a good visual drama is L. Sprague de Camp's Lest Darkness Fall , a unique time travel story that is way more than a rework of A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court. A smart and funny novel.

Ive read Lest Darkness Fall some 30 years ago and enjoyed it . I recall reading ther is sequel short story to it but have never read it.

 

[Al Jackson]

Ive read Lest Darkness Fall some 30 years ago and enjoyed it . I recall reading ther is sequel short story to it but have never read it.

Another from left field fantasy is The Incomplete Enchanter by L. Sprague de Camp and Fletcher Pratt. Parallel universe travel but into realms of mythology the first being Norse. Here is another fantasy the likes of which I know no other. Another clever, smart and funny story, alas I don't know if many know of it these days.

 

[BAYLOR]

Another from left field fantasy is The Incomplete Enchanter by L. Sprague de Camp and Fletcher Pratt. Parallel universe travel but into realms of mythology the first being Norse. Here is another fantasy the likes of which I know no other. Another clever, smart and funny story, alas I don't know if many know of it these days.

View attachment 46036

Ive that one as well. Incredible stuff ! I think the was a sequel to it The Enchanter Reborn

By Chance you ever read Jurgen a Comedy of Justice by James Branch Cabell. or Silvrlock by John Myer Myers? both are wonderful comic novels. Cabell's novel Jurgen was one widely read and had alot admirers Including Robert A Heinlein.

 

[Al Jackson]

Ive that one as well. Incredible stuff ! I think the was a sequel to it The Enchanter Reborn

By Chance you ever read Jurgen a Comedy of Justice by James Branch Cabell. or Silvrlock by John Myer Myers? both are wonderful comic novels. Cabell's novel Jurgen was one widely read and had alot admirers Including Robert A Heinlein.

The Harold Shea series was
The Incomplete Enchanter (1941),
The Castle of Iron (1950)
Wall of Serpents (1960)

Castle of Iron and Wall of Serpents don't have quite the same magic as Incomplete Enchanter.

I do know of Cabell's work just never got around to reading it.