Michelle Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 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. ClarkeA MAZE OF DEATH Philip K. DickAMMONITE Nicola GriffithARSLAN M.J. EnghA SCANNER DARKLY Philip K. DickBABEL – 17 Samuel R. DelanyBEHOLD THE MAN Michael MoorcockBLOOD MUSIC Greg BearBRING THE JUBILEE Ward MooreCAT’S CRADLE Kurt VonnegutCHILDHOOD’S END Arthur C. ClarkeCITIES IN FLIGHT James BlishCITY Clifford D. SimakDANCERS AT THE END OF TIME Michael MoorcockDANGEROUS VISIONS Ed. by Harlan EllisonDARK BENEDICTION Walter M. MillerDHALGREN Samuel R. DelanyDO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP Philip K. DickDOOMSDAY BOOK Connie WillisDOWNWARD TO EARTH Robert SilverbergDR. BLOODMONEY Philip K. DickDUNE Frank HerbertDYING INSIDE Robert SilverbergEARTH ABIDES George R. StewartEMPHYRIO Jack VanceENGINE SUMMER John CrowleyEON Greg BearFLOATING WORLDS Cecelia HollandFLOW MY TEARS, THE POLICEMAN SAID Philip K. DickFLOWERS FOR ALGERNON Daniel KeyesFRANKENSTEIN Mary ShelleyGATEWAY Frederik PohlGRASS Sheri S. TepperGREYBEARD Brian AldissHELLICONIA Brian AldissHELLSTROM’S HIVE Frank HerbertHYPERION Dan SimmonsI AM LEGEND Richard MathesonINVERTED WORLD Christopher PriestJEM Frederik PohlLAST AND FIRST MEN Olaf StapledonLIFE DURING WARTIME Lucius ShepardLORD OF LIGHT Roger ZelaznyMAN PLUS Frederik PohlMARTIAN TIME-SLIP Philip K. DickMISSION OF GRAVITY Hal ClementMOCKINGBIRD Walter TevisMORE THAN HUMAN Theodore SturgeonNON-STOP Brian AldissNOVA Samuel R. DelanyNOW WAIT FOR LAST YEAR** Philip K. DickODD JOHN Olaf StapledonOF MEN AND MONSTERS William TennPAVANE Keith RobertsRENDEZVOUS WITH RAMA Arthur C. ClarkeRIDDLEY WALKER Russell HobanRINGWORLD Larry NivenROADSIDE PICNIC Boris Strugatsky, Arkady StrugatskyROGUE MOON Algis BudrysR.U.R. AND WAR WITH THE NEWTS Karel ČapekSARAH CANARY Karen Joy FowlerSIRIUS Olaf StapledonSLOW RIVER Nicola GriffithSTAND ON ZANZIBAR John BrunnerSTAR MAKER Olaf StapledonSYNNERS Pat CadiganTAKE BACK PLENTY Colin GreenlandTAU ZERO Poul AndersonTHE AFFIRMATION Christopher PriestTHE BODY SNATCHERS Jack FinneyTHE BOOK OF SKULLS Robert SilverbergTHE CALTRAPS OF TIME David I. MassonTHE CENTAURI DEVICE M. John HarrisonTHE CHILD GARDEN Geoff RymanTHE CITY AND THE STARS Arthur C. ClarkeTHE CONTINUOUS KATHERINE MORTENHOE D.G. ComptonTHE COMPLETE RODERICK John SladekTHE DEMOLISHED MAN Alfred BesterTHE DIFFERENCE ENGINE William Gibson and Bruce SterlingTHE DISPOSSESSED Ursula Le GuinTHE DROWNED WORLD** J. G. BallardTHE FALL OF HYPERION Dan SimmonsTHE FEMALE MAN Joanna RussTHE FIFTH HEAD OF CERBERUS Gene WolfeTHE FIRST MEN IN THE MOON H.G. WellsTHE FOOD OF THE GODS H.G. WellsTHE FOREVER WAR Joe HaldemanTHE FOUNTAINS OF PARADISE Arthur C. ClarkeTHE GATE TO WOMEN’S COUNTRY Sheri S. TepperTHE HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY Douglas AdamsTHE INVISIBLE MAN H.G. WellsTHE ISLAND OF DOCTOR MOREAU H.G. WellsTHE LATHE OF HEAVEN Ursula le GuinTHE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE Philip K. DickTHE MOON IS A HARSH MISTRESS Robert A. HeinleinTHE PENULTIMATE TRUTH Philip K. DickTHE PRESTIGE Christopher PriestTHE REDISCOVERY OF MAN Cordwainer SmithTHE SEA AND SUMMER George TurnerTHE SHRINKING MAN Richard MathesonTHE SIMULACRA Philip K. DickTHE SIRENS OF TITAN Kurt VonnegutTHE SPACE MERCHANTS Frederik Pohl and C.M.KornbluthTHE STARS MY DESTINATION Alfred BesterTHE THREE STIGMATA OF PALMER ELDRITCH Philip K. DickTHE TIME MACHINE H. G. WellsTHE TIME MACHINE/THE WAR OF THE WORLDS H. G. WellsTHE WAR OF THE WORLDS H.G. WellsTIME OUT OF JOINT Philip K. DickTIMESCAPE Greg BenfordUBIK Philip K. DickUNQUENCHABLE FIRE Rachel PollackVALIS Philip K. DickWHERE LATE THE SWEET BIRDS SANG Kate Wilhelm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted July 30, 2013 Author Share Posted July 30, 2013 I have read so far: CHILDHOOD’S END Arthur C. Clarke (I think)FRANKENSTEIN Mary ShelleyI AM LEGEND Richard MathesonINVERTED WORLD Christopher PriestRENDEZVOUS WITH RAMA Arthur C. ClarkeTHE CITY AND THE STARS Arthur C. Clarke (I think)THE ISLAND OF DOCTOR MOREAU H.G. WellsTHE SHRINKING MAN Richard MathesonTHE TIME MACHINE H. G. WellsTHE WAR OF THE WORLDS H.G. Wells So there's lots more for me to try, but which ones....? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsa Orlong Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 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. DickBEHOLD THE MAN Michael MoorcockCHILDHOOD’S END Arthur C. ClarkeDO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP Philip K. DickDOWNWARD TO EARTH Robert SilverbergDUNE Frank HerbertEARTH ABIDES George R. StewartEMPHYRIO Jack VanceFLOWERS FOR ALGERNON Daniel KeyesFRANKENSTEIN Mary ShelleyGATEWAY Frederik PohlGRASS Sheri S. TepperHYPERION Dan SimmonsI AM LEGEND Richard MathesonINVERTED WORLD Christopher PriestLORD OF LIGHT Roger ZelaznyMOCKINGBIRD Walter TevisNON-STOP Brian AldissRENDEZVOUS WITH RAMA Arthur C. ClarkeROADSIDE PICNIC Boris Strugatsky, Arkady StrugatskyTAU ZERO Poul AndersonTHE BODY SNATCHERS Jack FinneyTHE DEMOLISHED MAN Alfred BesterTHE FALL OF HYPERION Dan SimmonsTHE FIRST MEN IN THE MOON H.G. WellsTHE FOREVER WAR Joe HaldemanTHE HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY Douglas AdamsTHE INVISIBLE MAN H.G. WellsTHE ISLAND OF DOCTOR MOREAU H.G. WellsTHE LATHE OF HEAVEN Ursula le GuinTHE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE Philip K. DickTHE SHRINKING MAN Richard MathesonTHE STARS MY DESTINATION Alfred BesterTHE TIME MACHINE H. G. WellsTHE WAR OF THE WORLDS H.G. Wells Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Andrea~ Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raven Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 I've read the SF Masterworks versions of the following (I'd recommend the ones in bold): BRING THE JUBILEE Ward MooreDO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP Philip K. DickFLOWERS FOR ALGERNON Daniel KeyesI AM LEGEND Richard MathesonPAVANE Keith RobertsRENDEZVOUS WITH RAMA Arthur C. ClarkeTHE DIFFERENCE ENGINE William Gibson and Bruce SterlingTHE DROWNED WORLD J. G. BallardUBIK Philip K. Dick And I've read non-SF Masterworks versions of: THE HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY Douglas AdamsTHE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE Philip K. DickTHE TIME MACHINE H. G. WellsTHE 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). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raven Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 I used to find this site pretty useful as well: SF Site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsa Orlong Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 (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 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) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raven Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 I also thought it's the first list I've seen on BCF where I've actually read a few of the books Same here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted July 30, 2013 Author Share Posted July 30, 2013 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raven Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 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 . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athena Posted July 31, 2013 Share Posted July 31, 2013 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kell Posted July 31, 2013 Share Posted July 31, 2013 I've not read many: FLOWERS FOR ALGERNON Daniel KeyesFRANKENSTEIN Mary ShelleyTHE HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY Douglas AdamsTHE INVISIBLE MAN H.G. WellsTHE ISLAND OF DOCTOR MOREAU H.G. WellsTHE PRESTIGE Christopher PriestTHE TIME MACHINE H. G. WellsTHE TIME MACHINE/THE WAR OF THE WORLDS H. G. WellsTHE 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raven Posted July 31, 2013 Share Posted July 31, 2013 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timstar Posted August 1, 2013 Share Posted August 1, 2013 I've only read a few but I do have quite a few of them in the old style Masterworks, some of which are high up on my TBR pile Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsa Orlong Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 (edited) 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 August 5, 2013 by Karsa Orlong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 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... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsa Orlong Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 Funnily enough, I wishlisted that one a few days ago Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raven Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 I always go for SF Masterworks books when I see them Fixed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 Fixed! I set that one up pretty nicely for you, didn't I? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie Posted August 16, 2013 Share Posted August 16, 2013 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raven Posted August 17, 2013 Share Posted August 17, 2013 How many of them have you read? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie Posted August 17, 2013 Share Posted August 17, 2013 Not telling. 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raven Posted August 17, 2013 Share Posted August 17, 2013 So that will be "one" then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie Posted August 17, 2013 Share Posted August 17, 2013 No, I've read more than one*, you troublemaker! *Three, to be exact. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontalba Posted November 28, 2013 Share Posted November 28, 2013 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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