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Science Fiction Masterworks


Michelle

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http://www.gollancz.co.uk/2013/02/the-sf-masterworks/

 

 

Launched in 1999 and described by none other than Iain M. Banks as ‘An amazing list, genuinely the best novels from sixty years of SF’, the Masterworks have grown to be a keynote collection for anyone with even the faintest interest in the genre. In the intervening years the list has changed its look, a few titles have gone, many, many have been added. Latterly there has been a concerted effort to introduce more female writers to the list as their works have become available. So the list has changed but the remit is the same – gather together in one place as many as possible of the books that have made SF what it is.
As someone who seems to enjoy the older SF, I've decided to look into this list. I'd appreciate any views on any of the books, and any you feel shouldn't be missed. :)
 
A CASE OF CONSCIENCE James Blish

A FALL OF MOONDUST Arthur C. Clarke
A MAZE OF DEATH Philip K. Dick
AMMONITE Nicola Griffith
ARSLAN M.J. Engh
A SCANNER DARKLY Philip K. Dick
BABEL – 17 Samuel R. Delany
BEHOLD THE MAN Michael Moorcock
BLOOD MUSIC Greg Bear
BRING THE JUBILEE Ward Moore
CAT’S CRADLE Kurt Vonnegut
CHILDHOOD’S END Arthur C. Clarke
CITIES IN FLIGHT James Blish
CITY Clifford D. Simak
DANCERS AT THE END OF TIME Michael Moorcock
DANGEROUS VISIONS Ed. by Harlan Ellison
DARK BENEDICTION Walter M. Miller
DHALGREN Samuel R. Delany
DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP Philip K. Dick
DOOMSDAY BOOK Connie Willis
DOWNWARD TO EARTH Robert Silverberg
DR. BLOODMONEY Philip K. Dick
DUNE Frank Herbert
DYING INSIDE Robert Silverberg
EARTH ABIDES George R. Stewart
EMPHYRIO Jack Vance
ENGINE SUMMER John Crowley
EON Greg Bear
FLOATING WORLDS Cecelia Holland
FLOW MY TEARS, THE POLICEMAN SAID Philip K. Dick
FLOWERS FOR ALGERNON Daniel Keyes
FRANKENSTEIN Mary Shelley
GATEWAY Frederik Pohl
GRASS Sheri S. Tepper
GREYBEARD Brian Aldiss
HELLICONIA Brian Aldiss
HELLSTROM’S HIVE Frank Herbert
HYPERION Dan Simmons
I AM LEGEND Richard Matheson
INVERTED WORLD Christopher Priest
JEM Frederik Pohl
LAST AND FIRST MEN Olaf Stapledon
LIFE DURING WARTIME Lucius Shepard
LORD OF LIGHT Roger Zelazny
MAN PLUS Frederik Pohl
MARTIAN TIME-SLIP Philip K. Dick
MISSION OF GRAVITY Hal Clement
MOCKINGBIRD Walter Tevis
MORE THAN HUMAN Theodore Sturgeon
NON-STOP Brian Aldiss
NOVA Samuel R. Delany
NOW WAIT FOR LAST YEAR** Philip K. Dick
ODD JOHN Olaf Stapledon
OF MEN AND MONSTERS William Tenn
PAVANE Keith Roberts
RENDEZVOUS WITH RAMA Arthur C. Clarke
RIDDLEY WALKER Russell Hoban
RINGWORLD Larry Niven
ROADSIDE PICNIC Boris Strugatsky, Arkady Strugatsky
ROGUE MOON Algis Budrys
R.U.R. AND WAR WITH THE NEWTS Karel Čapek
SARAH CANARY Karen Joy Fowler
SIRIUS Olaf Stapledon
SLOW RIVER Nicola Griffith
STAND ON ZANZIBAR John Brunner
STAR MAKER Olaf Stapledon
SYNNERS Pat Cadigan
TAKE BACK PLENTY Colin Greenland
TAU ZERO Poul Anderson
THE AFFIRMATION Christopher Priest
THE BODY SNATCHERS Jack Finney
THE BOOK OF SKULLS Robert Silverberg
THE CALTRAPS OF TIME David I. Masson
THE CENTAURI DEVICE M. John Harrison
THE CHILD GARDEN Geoff Ryman
THE CITY AND THE STARS Arthur C. Clarke
THE CONTINUOUS KATHERINE MORTENHOE D.G. Compton
THE COMPLETE RODERICK John Sladek
THE DEMOLISHED MAN Alfred Bester
THE DIFFERENCE ENGINE William Gibson and Bruce Sterling
THE DISPOSSESSED Ursula Le Guin
THE DROWNED WORLD** J. G. Ballard
THE FALL OF HYPERION Dan Simmons
THE FEMALE MAN Joanna Russ
THE FIFTH HEAD OF CERBERUS Gene Wolfe
THE FIRST MEN IN THE MOON H.G. Wells
THE FOOD OF THE GODS H.G. Wells
THE FOREVER WAR Joe Haldeman
THE FOUNTAINS OF PARADISE Arthur C. Clarke
THE GATE TO WOMEN’S COUNTRY Sheri S. Tepper
THE HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY Douglas Adams
THE INVISIBLE MAN H.G. Wells
THE ISLAND OF DOCTOR MOREAU H.G. Wells
THE LATHE OF HEAVEN Ursula le Guin
THE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE Philip K. Dick
THE MOON IS A HARSH MISTRESS Robert A. Heinlein
THE PENULTIMATE TRUTH Philip K. Dick
THE PRESTIGE Christopher Priest
THE REDISCOVERY OF MAN Cordwainer Smith
THE SEA AND SUMMER George Turner
THE SHRINKING MAN Richard Matheson
THE SIMULACRA Philip K. Dick
THE SIRENS OF TITAN Kurt Vonnegut
THE SPACE MERCHANTS Frederik Pohl and C.M.Kornbluth
THE STARS MY DESTINATION Alfred Bester
THE THREE STIGMATA OF PALMER ELDRITCH Philip K. Dick
THE TIME MACHINE H. G. Wells
THE TIME MACHINE/THE WAR OF THE WORLDS H. G. Wells
THE WAR OF THE WORLDS H.G. Wells
TIME OUT OF JOINT Philip K. Dick
TIMESCAPE Greg Benford
UBIK Philip K. Dick
UNQUENCHABLE FIRE Rachel Pollack
VALIS Philip K. Dick
WHERE LATE THE SWEET BIRDS SANG Kate Wilhelm

 

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I have read so far:

 

CHILDHOOD’S END Arthur C. Clarke (I think)
FRANKENSTEIN Mary Shelley
I AM LEGEND Richard Matheson
INVERTED WORLD Christopher Priest
RENDEZVOUS WITH RAMA Arthur C. Clarke
THE CITY AND THE STARS Arthur C. Clarke (I think)
THE ISLAND OF DOCTOR MOREAU H.G. Wells
THE SHRINKING MAN Richard Matheson
THE TIME MACHINE H. G. Wells
THE WAR OF THE WORLDS H.G. Wells

 

So there's lots more for me to try, but which ones....?
 

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Michelle, I'd definitely recommend:

 

Hyperion by Dan Simmons

Dune by Frank Herbert

The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester

The Forever War by Joe Haldeman

Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny

Mockingbird by Walter Tevis

The Lathe of Heaven by Ursula le Guin

 

 

I've read these ones from the list:

 

A SCANNER DARKLY Philip K. Dick
BEHOLD THE MAN Michael Moorcock
CHILDHOOD’S END Arthur C. Clarke
DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP Philip K. Dick
DOWNWARD TO EARTH Robert Silverberg
DUNE Frank Herbert
EARTH ABIDES George R. Stewart
EMPHYRIO Jack Vance
FLOWERS FOR ALGERNON Daniel Keyes
FRANKENSTEIN Mary Shelley
GATEWAY Frederik Pohl
GRASS Sheri S. Tepper
HYPERION Dan Simmons
I AM LEGEND Richard Matheson
INVERTED WORLD Christopher Priest
LORD OF LIGHT Roger Zelazny
MOCKINGBIRD Walter Tevis
NON-STOP Brian Aldiss
RENDEZVOUS WITH RAMA Arthur C. Clarke
ROADSIDE PICNIC Boris Strugatsky, Arkady Strugatsky
TAU ZERO Poul Anderson
THE BODY SNATCHERS Jack Finney
THE DEMOLISHED MAN Alfred Bester
THE FALL OF HYPERION Dan Simmons
THE FIRST MEN IN THE MOON H.G. Wells
THE FOREVER WAR Joe Haldeman
THE HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY Douglas Adams
THE INVISIBLE MAN H.G. Wells
THE ISLAND OF DOCTOR MOREAU H.G. Wells
THE LATHE OF HEAVEN Ursula le Guin
THE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE Philip K. Dick
THE SHRINKING MAN Richard Matheson
THE STARS MY DESTINATION Alfred Bester
THE TIME MACHINE H. G. Wells
THE WAR OF THE WORLDS H.G. Wells
 

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I'd definitely recommend

 

DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP Philip K. Dick

FLOWERS FOR ALGERNON Daniel Keyes

 

Flowers for Algernon is a must read. I read this recently and thought I was too old to be impressed by a book this much anymore.

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I've read the SF Masterworks versions of the following (I'd recommend the ones in bold):

 

BRING THE JUBILEE Ward Moore
DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP Philip K. Dick
FLOWERS FOR ALGERNON Daniel Keyes
I AM LEGEND Richard Matheson
PAVANE Keith Roberts
RENDEZVOUS WITH RAMA Arthur C. Clarke

THE DIFFERENCE ENGINE William Gibson and Bruce Sterling
THE DROWNED WORLD J. G. Ballard
UBIK Philip K. Dick

 

And I've read non-SF Masterworks versions of:

 

THE HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY Douglas Adams
THE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE Philip K. Dick
THE TIME MACHINE H. G. Wells
THE WAR OF THE WORLDS H.G. Wells

 

I have quite a number of the SF Masterworks books to read, mostly in the original black covers, that I picked up in a Waterstone's sale years ago.

 

(That doesn't appear to be the full list of titles they have published, by the way, as I have a hardback version of The Day of the Triffids that they did about 10/15 years ago).
 

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(That doesn't appear to be the full list of titles they have published, by the way, as I have a hardback version of The Day of the Triffids that they did about 10/15 years ago).

 

I thought it didn't seem comprehensive.  I was trying to think of books that are missing from it.  I also thought it's the first list I've seen on BCF where I've actually read a few of the books :lol::D

 

Also worth looking at is the Gollancz SF Gateway, for the ebook versions, because many of them may not be available in paperback anymore (A Fire Upon the Deep would be one I'd definitely recommend - amazing book) :smile:

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Thanks :)  There are also other lists, such as some hardbacks, an anniversary list etc, but I thought we could start here! ;)  If anyone wants to add and/or talk about the other lists, please feel free.

 

After dinner I shall look at the recommended ones, and make a wish list, thank you for mentioning ebooks, I didn't think about that.

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I've just counted up and I have 30 SF Masterwork paperbacks and 4 hardbacks.

 

Out of that 34 I have read 10 of them (the Triffids hardback I mentioned being the one I didn't list above).

 

As I already said I bought most of them in a Waterstone's sale a number of years ago and the intention was to kick-start my reading of some of the old science fiction masters.  Instead I've just picked away at them over the years and read them as they have taken my fancy or when they have come up in reading groups. 

 

One draw back is that since buying them I have worked out that Philip K. Dick and I don't really get on and seven of the books I have are his (although I have read two of them, that still leaves five I'm not too keen on!).

 

As for the others, I suspect it is time to get my wiggle on . . .

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I'd definitely recommend

 

DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP Philip K. Dick

FLOWERS FOR ALGERNON Daniel Keyes[/size]

 

Flowers for Algernon is a must read. I read this recently and thought I was too old to be impressed by a book this much anymore.

x

I believe these are the ones I've read, and I'd recommend them too. I have a few more books of the series but I haven't read them yet. I have read other books from the list but I have them in different editions (Dune, Hyperion, The Fall of Hyperion, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, The Time Machine)0. I would recommend all of them. I also have some books from the list on my TBR but in different editions. Some others are on my wishlist.

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I've not read many:

 


FLOWERS FOR ALGERNON Daniel Keyes
FRANKENSTEIN Mary Shelley
THE HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY Douglas Adams
THE INVISIBLE MAN H.G. Wells
THE ISLAND OF DOCTOR MOREAU H.G. Wells
THE PRESTIGE Christopher Priest
THE TIME MACHINE H. G. Wells
THE TIME MACHINE/THE WAR OF THE WORLDS H. G. Wells
THE WAR OF THE WORLDS H.G. Wells
 

What's going on with the last three here though? Two books both mentioned twice? And no John Wyndham anywhere on the list? Where's Day of the Triffids and The Midwich Cuckoos? Both of those, at the very least, deserve to be on a list of best sci-fi.

 

Out of the ones I've read, I highly recommend The Prestige - it's brilliant. Priest's style of writing is just wonderful. And Flowers For Algernon will make you cry. For definite.

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The SF Masterwoks range are a set of books published by Gollancz, I believe Penguin still own the publishing rights to Wyndham’s work (although they must have allowed them to reprint Triffids in the afore and oft-mentioned hardback).

As for Wells, they originally released The War of the Worlds and the Time Machine in one volume; I'm guessing they have released them again separately since then.

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Completely forgot about this site.  It's a list of all the SF Masterworks releases (including those announced but not yet published), and some good reviews.  There's also a list of the Fantasy Masterworks series.

 

http://sffmasterworks.blogspot.co.uk/p/sf-masterworks-index.html

Edited by Karsa Orlong
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I've read a few on the list that Michelle posted (often in non-SF Masterworks editions) and I have maybe half a dozen more on my TBR pile. I'll list them later. I always go for SF Masterworks when I see them; I don't have much of a clue when it comes to sci-fi (apart from the biggies like Arthur C Clarke etc.), so I like referring to this series because I figure these books are the cream of the crop. :)

 

From the link that Karsa posted, there's one called This is the Way the World Ends by James Morrow. It was released about 6 weeks ago and the synopsis sounds pretty good (below). Has anyone read it?

 

When tombstone engraver George Paxman is offered a bargain, he doesn't hesitate. His beloved daughter gets an otherwise unaffordable survival suit to protect her from radioactive fall-out and all George has to do is sign a document admitting that, as a passive citizen who did nothing to stop it, he has a degree of guilt for any nuclear war that breaks out. George signs on the dotted line. And then the unthinkable happens. The world and everyone in it (survival suit or not) is destroyed in a nuclear Armageddon - except for George and five others who must now face prosecution from the great mass of humanity who will now never be born. And George Paxman stands accused in the name of all the people who stood by and never raised a finger to stop the horror of nuclear war...

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  • 2 weeks later...

Here are the SF Masterworks I have. I have some of the others, but not in the SF Masterworks editions:

 

 

Brian Aldiss: Non-Stop    
Poul Anderson: Tau Zero (yellow cover)
Greg Bear: Eon    
Gregory Benford: Timescape    
Alfred Bester: The Stars My Destination    
James Blish: Cities in Flight    
John Brunner: Stand on Zanzibar    
Arthur C Clarke: The City and the Stars    
Philip K Dick: A Scanner Darkly    
Philip K Dick: Flow My Tears, the Policeman Said    
Philip K Dick: Ubik (yellow cover)
Joe Haldeman: The Forever War    
Daniel Keyes: Flowers for Algernon    
Ursula Le Guin: The Dispossessed    
Ursula Le Guin: The Lathe of Heaven    
Richard Matheson: The Shrinking Man    
Michael Moorcock: The Dancers at the End of Time    
Frederik Pohl: Jem    
Robert Silverberg: The Book of Skulls    
Dan Simmons: Hyperion (yellow cover)
Walter Tevis: Mockingbird    
Jack Vance: Emphyrio    
HG Wells: The Time Machine & The War of the Worlds    
Gene Wolfe: The Fifth Head of Cerberus    
Roger Zelazny: Lord of Light    
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Not telling. :P

 

However, I'll say that I bought The City and the Stars from Hay-on-Wye when I visited the UK back in 2004, so it's extra special to me. I've read it multiple times and I think it's one of Arthur C Clarke's best most under-rated works.

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  • 3 months later...

I can definitely recommend anything by Robert Silverberg.  Recently bought a bunch of his collections categorized by the decades in which he wrote them. 

 

Oddly enough, right now I'm reading one on the list, Inverted World by Christopher Priest.  Great beginning! 

 

I've read some of the list, but not as many as I'd like. :)

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