British Science Fiction

[antiloquax]

I've been spending a bit of time looking at lists of science fiction. I feel that British writers tend to be a bit under-represented.

One of the writers who got me into SF was Nicholas Fisk. I realy enjoyed his books (which are for younger readers) especially "Space Hostages", "Trillions" and "Antigrav".

Another writer I admire is Jeff Noon.
Also I loved "The Furies" by Keith Roberts.
John Wyndham, of course, does usually get onto the lists. I devoured his books as a teenager.

Anyone else have favourite British writers in this genre?
Has anyone read C. S. Lewis' "cosmic trilogy"? I haven't yet, but I plan to.
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[iansales]

See this list of British SF Masterworks.

 

[antiloquax]

Thanks!

 

[The Ace]

Yup, I found, 'That Hideous Strength,' hard going but loved the other two.

 

[Stephen Palmer]

Where is Jeff Noon these days?

 

[HareBrain]

Anyone else have favourite British writers in this genre?
Has anyone read C. S. Lewis' "cosmic trilogy"? I haven't yet, but I plan to.

I can't remember that much about the first two of the trilogy, but worth a read. I thought "That Hideous Strength" had most interesting ideas of the three.

If you enjoy the feel of the trilogy, you should definitely try the book that inspired it, David Lindsay's A Voyage to Arcturus. It's not the easiest read, but totally unique, and maybe a work of genius.

 

[Dave]

Where is Jeff Noon these days?

I wondered the same thing a few weeks ago (I was sneezing snot everywhere due to hayfever.)

 

[D_Davis]

Personally, I don't care where my authors are from, so long as they write good fiction. I don't really pay a lot of attention to where authors are from, so long as their works are in English. If they've been translated (like Lem) then I tend to pay more attention. I guess the only reason I bring that up is that I could be reading some British authors and not even really know that they're British.

One of my top 5 authors happens to be British - J.G. Ballard. It really doesn't get any better. The Best Short Stories of J.G. Ballard is the best collection of SF I've ever read. Absolutely genius. As is Kingdom Come, Concrete Island, Running Wild, and many others/

A newer discovery for my was Philip Palmer, a British author. His book Version 43 is one of the very best books I've read this year, still in my top 10 out of about 40. Highly recommended. I also read Red Claw, but I didn't think much of that.

C.S. Lewis is a favorite of mine, as is George MacDonald, Lewis's greatest inspiration - he's Scottish.

Of course you can't pass up Michael Moorcock. The Elric Saga will always be a favorite of mine.

And H.G. Wells First Men in the Moon is amazing. Love that one to death.

 

[iansales]

The point of the British SF Masterworks was to re-introduce people to forgotten sf writers of the UK, such as DG Compton, Richard Cowper, Christopher Hodder-Williams, Rex Gordon, DF Jones, or Keith Roberts.

 

[D_Davis]

I have a few books by Kieth Roberts. Didn't know he was British. The only one I've read is The Chalk Giants. Didn't care for that one, but I'm interested in reading the others that I have.

 

[blacknorth]

The point of the British SF Masterworks was to re-introduce people to forgotten sf writers of the UK, such as DG Compton, Richard Cowper, Christopher Hodder-Williams, Rex Gordon, DF Jones, or Keith Roberts.

Those writers are responsible for some of the best British sf of the past 40 years and it's a pity they don't get rather more attention. I'd also add L.P. Davies, J.T. McIntosh, Charles Eric Maine, Michael G Coney and Barrington Bayley to the list.

I'm not sure Keith Roberts has been entirely forgotten - I've been trying to buy some of 1st editions at ebay for a while now, and I always get outbid, usually at the last minute.

Arthur Sellings was great too. It's a pity he died so young. Junk Day really showed him coming into possession of his talents. And The Silent Speakers is a beautiful book.

 

[blacknorth]

Looking at the list of British sf Masterworks I see Eric Frank Russell's name on there. I had always thought he was an American, just goes to show; but it gives me the pleasure of recommending Sinister Barrier, Three to Conquer and WASP as wonderful British novels, yay!

 

[dask]

I only read one EFR book, DREADFUL SANCTUARY. Had a real forties feel as I recall. Really enjoyed it. Must read more.

 

[blacknorth]

I only read one EFR book, DREADFUL SANCTUARY. Had a real forties feel as I recall. Really enjoyed it. Must read more.

Ha, you're a mindreader, dask - I have that one sitting in front of me to be read hopefully in the very near future.

Mine's an old Four Square Pb with a cool cover.

 

[dask]

Ha, you're a mindreader, dask - I have that one sitting in front of me to be read hopefully in the very near future.

Mine's an old Four Square Pb with a cool cover.

Mine's a Lancer with a great Freas cover. It was the cover that made me read it. If I ever get the chance I'll go hunt it up and post it.

 

[nickpeirson]

Personally, I don't care where my authors are from, so long as they write good fiction.

I agree with this sentiment. Unless I'm reading everything put out by an author, I don't usually notice where they're from. A couple of authors where I have noticed are Ian M Banks and Alastair Reynolds, however I don't think they'll come as a surprise to anyone here, but I may be wrong. I'm not sure if I can read anything from the fact that two of my favourite authors are from the UK?

On a side note, I have Alastair Reynolds 'Terminal World' sat on my bedside table waiting for me to finish my current reading. In my youth I regularly had a couple of good books on the go, these days I'm more of a one book man. I'm not sure why or when this changed, I think it's possibly due to knowing where I've left the current book I'm reading

 

[Vertigo]

I don't really care where authors are from however I have taken more note of it in the last few years. Again it doesn't affect my choice of book but I have noticed that most of my favourite contemporary authors seem to be British: Peter Hamilton, Alastair Reynolds, Iain Banks, Justina Robson, Richard Mogan, Terry Pratchett. I also enjoy military SF and there I have found American authors seem to do that better, actually I think most military SF (though not all) seems to come from American authors.

 

[Connavar]

My fav contemporary SF writer is Richard Morgan and his hardcore,noir like SF is what you would expect from american thriller writers. Not like there is much difference between American and Brit SF today in language,style. Its not HG Wells days.

The only time i think i should read British SF is when i realize my classic,old writer list is mostly american. I would like to known more important brit SF names. I mean other than ACC and mean more modern greats.

 

[chrispenycate]

Actually, considering the difference in populations (and even more the difference in surface areas) I reckon Great Britain doesn't do too badly, either numerically or quality wise. I started an alphabetic list, just off the top of my head: Adams, Aldiss, Ballard. Banks, Baxter, Brunner, Burgess, Christopher, Clarke…

When you compare that with a Germany, or France…

 

[JagLover]

Peter Hamilton has been a new discovery for me and I have been very impressed by his Commonwealth and Void series.