The best CLASSIC Sci-fi novel of all time!

Williamlk

Williamlk

WilliamLK
Joined
Sep 19, 2010
Messages
52
I thought this might be fun.
What is the BEST science fiction novel ever written?

I am going to go with DUNE by Frank Herbert
 
Yea there's like a million doors in the hall and each one leads to a room filled with sf books, and we have to pick our favourite!
So far for me its 2001 A Space Odyssey, but y'all knew that. Didn't like Dune at all, or Foundation (well maybe a little but its not great)
But I still have a lot of doors to open...
 
As people have said, you will never be able to answer this question because no one has or can read them all. A better question would be: "What is the Best Classic Science Fiction book you've ever read?"

For me the answer to that game is "Ender's Game."

Best series: David Weber's "Honor."
 
'Rendezvous with Rama' by Arthur C. Clarke is one of the best I've ever read, because it doesn't show the aliens, and doesn't even try to explain the alien technology (thus leaving it to the reader's imagination)

'Flow my tears the Policeman said' is one of my other favourites. I've found Dick's works hit and miss, but this one (in my opinion) stands out head and shoulders above the rest.
 
For big impression, cross over into mainstream consciousness, some interesting ideas, and capturing something of the zeitgeist, how about 'Stranger in a Strange Land'?
 
Jennifer Kirk said:
'Rendezvous with Rama' by Arthur C. Clarke is one of the best I've ever read, because it doesn't show the aliens, and doesn't even try to explain the alien technology (thus leaving it to the reader's imagination)

'Flow my tears the Policeman said' is one of my other favourites. I've found Dick's works hit and miss, but this one (in my opinion) stands out head and shoulders above the rest.
Click to expand...
2 excellent choices trhere Jennifer! (Welcome to the Chrons BTW!)
 
AE35Unit said:
2 excellent choices trhere Jennifer! (Welcome to the Chrons BTW!)
Click to expand...

Thank you!

My partner tells me that there are sequels to 'Rendezvous' where the aliens are revealed - she says they aren't so good. I don't have any copies of the sequels in the house, thus providing the conundrum of whether I should read the sequels, and maybe be disappointed, or just see for myself.
 
Jennifer Kirk said:
Thank you!

My partner tells me that there are sequels to 'Rendezvous' where the aliens are revealed - she says they aren't so good. I don't have any copies of the sequels in the house, thus providing the conundrum of whether I should read the sequels, and maybe be disappointed, or just see for myself.
Click to expand...

I wouldnt bother about the sequels, except maybe the first one, Rama II. Things get a bit silly after that, after all they were mostly written by Gentry Lee! And no, the aliens arent revealed!
 
gully_foyle said:
What can I say? Tiger! Tiger! is by far and away the Besterest of the golden age.
Click to expand...

I would expect no less from the honourable Mr Foyle! Wouldst it be a fairness to say you have a healthy obsession with said novel, as I do with 2001?
I must read Tiger Tiger again sometime-been ages since I read it!
 
Jennifer Kirk said:
'Rendezvous with Rama' by Arthur C. Clarke is one of the best I've ever read, because it doesn't show the aliens, and doesn't even try to explain the alien technology (thus leaving it to the reader's imagination)

'Flow my tears the Policeman said' is one of my other favourites. I've found Dick's works hit and miss, but this one (in my opinion) stands out head and shoulders above the rest.
Click to expand...

Good to see other people that rate PKD's best that highly and welcome to the forum by the way :)

How many novels of PKD have you read ? Flow My Tears is equally the best of the best of PKD i have read along with Now Wait For Last Year and The Three Stigmata Dr Palmer Elderitch so far.
 
Jennifer Kirk said:
'Flow my tears the Policeman said' is one of my other favourites. I've found Dick's works hit and miss, but this one (in my opinion) stands out head and shoulders above the rest.
Click to expand...

For me, this one stands out because it gives an actual ending. A lot of Dick's book's seem to just end after a sequence of event's have occurred, though never seem to give you an ending per-se.

As for all-time greatest SF novel... Not a chance! My personal favorites. Hmmm...

Flow My Tears
UBIK by PKD
Day of the Triffids
War of the Worlds
 
You dont read PKD for comfortable endings, he has great depressing endings mostly. They tend to stay with you for a while in the best books of his.

I can choose best alltime so far since the novel im putting forward might not even be the best of Vance writing when i read more.

The Killing Machine(Demon Princes #2) by Jack Vance

Funny The Stars My Destination by Bester who was another best ever candidate for me is also inspired by the Alexandre Dumas novel.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Thread starter Similar threads Forum Replies Date
B The Movie Blockbuster is the Best or Worst Thing Ever To Happen To Movies ? General Film Discussion 3
pogopossum Classic Anthologies and Collections of Bests. Classic SF&F 57
B What Classic writer(s) Do The Best Job of Portraying Space Travel ? Classic SF&F 43
B What do you think Are the Best Classic Fantasy And Science Fiction Books and Stories of All Time? Classic SF&F 346
Perpetual Man The Best Classic Doctor Who Story. Doctor Who 79

Similar threads


Back
Top