Where are the SF classics?
By Brian Clegg
I was wandering around a bookshop the other day (after the obligatory check to see if they had my latest in stock), and was struck by a significant difference between the general fiction books and the science fiction section*.
In the general fiction, there were plenty of classics. Books that we may now feel are a little dated in some ways, but nonetheless are great works of fiction and deserve to be read still. But amongst the science fiction, apart from a few Asimovs and the inevitable Dune (for obvious movie reasons), most of the great names of the past were simply missing. This feels wrong.
I don’t think my reaction is pure nostalgia. Admittedly, not every past SF title has aged well. But, for instance, the last two SF books I’ve read were by Pohl & Kornbluth and Bester respectively, and both were still far more engaging than whatever this week’s Brandon Sanderson title is. For that matter, many of the classics aren’t good pieces of writing when measured by some modern metrics, but that’s not the point – they stand the test of time despite this. And that’s the case with the SF greats too.
Gollancz (or, rather, its parent company), one of the big names of science fiction publishing, has at least helped by resurrecting many old SF titles with their impressive SF Masterworks and SF Gateway series – and the bookshop did have a couple of books from these ranges. But even so, it’s such a shame that younger readers are not getting the same opportunity to be confronted with the classics in this genre as they are in the general fiction section.
* Actually it wasn’t a science fiction section, it was science fiction and fantasy, which I find distinctly irritating. I do read both, but I prefer my browsing more clearly defined. (I also hate, incidentally, the way Waterstones has merged popular science into a vague smart thinking topic, and has lost its crime section entirely.)
See all of Brian's online articles or subscribe to a weekly digest for free here
Now Appearing is the blog of science writer Brian Clegg (www.brianclegg.net), author of Inflight Science, Before the Big Bang and The God Effect.
Source: http://brianclegg.blogspot.com/2023/11/where-are-sf-classics.html
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Lion’s Mane Mushroom
Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, But it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.
Our Formula includes:
Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity.
Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins.
Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system.
Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome.
Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function.
Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules. Today Be 100% Satisfied Or Receive A Full Money Back Guarantee Order Yours Today By Following This Link.
| Online: | |
| Visits: | 1,609,861,920 |
| Stories: | 8,168,846 |
Whistler Blowers, Insiders
Don’t worry about it. Information going digital, shoddy materials, made to fail products et. etc. all point to one thing. An erasure of history.
Best start chipping away on a few clay tablets in a language that the next lot won’t understand, so use pictures.
Or build a few structures so large they have some sort of chance of making it through.
Then it will all happen again, as those in charge pretend a history is unveiling naturally whilst hoarding the entire knowledge and technology for themselves.