Recommendations wanted - space opera/ big idea sci-fi

Ah now that's the big danger with the chrons; you'll end up with a TBR list long enough to keep you going for a couple of lifetimes :)
 
Vertigo said:
Ah now that's the big danger with the chrons; you'll end up with a TBR list long enough to keep you going for a couple of lifetimes :)
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What are you talking about? I had one of those *before* getting on here. And I think my TBW list is almost as long. :)
 
Finished 'The Quantum Thief' and enjoyed it. I didn't 'love' it and probably won't read the inevitable sequel, but it was fun and contrary to many of the criticisms I had heard, it was not impenetrable nor too hard to follow. Granted, there are some sticky spots that I wasn't sure about, but that can happen a lot in make-believe worlds - as long as they are not big enough holes that prevent you from going forward.
At any rate, I'm on to Hamilton's "Dreaming Void" and right off the bat I feel like I am with a writer closer to my heart. We'll see how it goes.
 
Update:
To add a cyclical nature to this thread, I have just finished reading Hamilton's "The Dreaming Void" based on an earlier recommendation here.
I completely loved this book and am utterly delighted to have found this author. Everything that I love about fiction and sci-fi is here: interesting and thought provoking ideas, intelligent style, fantastic writing and plotting technique and that mysterious quality that makes me care what is going to happen next.
It is always a tremendous gift to find an author/artist that you enjoy so thoroughly and am very grateful to this forum for tipping me on this point.
Going to pick up 'The Temporal Void' today....
 
I would highly recommend the Hyperion Cantos. It is a story that deals with humanity's reliance on religion and technology. It is very interesting to see what Dan Simmons comes up with for perspectives on religion and humanity's future all the while telling an engaging story.
 
Big and Amazing Ideas:
Cordwainer Smith. All of 'em.

Philip Jose Farmer Night of Light in particular. Most of his stuff is even weirder than the RiverWorld series. (which is also big and great.)

Clifford D Simak had a sneaky style of luring the reader into commonplace situations, then throwing weirdness into the mix; then, then when the reader gets complacent again; weirdness piles upon weirdnerness. The Big Front Yard, Way Station of course. Destiny Doll floats a ridiculous bestiary. Enchanted Pilgrimage is
a basic Hero's Quest which progressively grows Bigger and weirder.
 
Thought I'd already recommended this here, but I guess not.

Stephen Donaldson's "Gap" series.
Michael Flynn's Firestar series.

Both very good reads, Donaldson's definitely being the 'darker' of the pair.
 
Well, after many months of reading, I have finally finished Peter Hamilton’s Void trilogy. And after 2000+ pages, it is remarkable to say that I was still interested and still enjoying it right up to the end. I wanted to post this here, since this is where I was told about his books originally, and I really thank the person who got me started on him. The books were effing incredible – some of the best sci-fi I have ever read. If you haven’t already, you really must try the first of the series (The Dreaming Void). It is the best of the best.
Now, that said, I must point out without spoiling anything, that I was not entirely pleased with the ending. I found it a bit rushed (after 2000 pages why not have a proper denouement?) and though it tied up all the strings he had left dangling, it did not feel as natural nor as tidy as the rest of the writing. Also, there was a heap of unnecessary references to characters way, waaaay back in time that obviously wanted to tie up but felt utterly out of place. Really, that’s my only criticism. I’m astonished that I read the whole darn thing. But it has been good company as I trudge through the more academic reading the rest of my life is filled with.
I will really miss Edeard and Araminta. Fabulous characters!
(sigh)

So, what’s next guys?
 
If you are looking for epic sci fi.... I really enjoyed the Saga of Seven Suns by Kevin J. Anderson. Huge cast, lots of interwoven plots and twists.. its not perfect as over the course of 7 books he repeats himself a little too much (trying to hard to keep people up to date with what all the characters are doing). But an entertaining read.
 
Hi all,

I'm a newbie here - hello! :)

I'd definitely second Alex's recommendation of Cordwainer Smith - absolutely awesome sf, big mindblowing ideas and wonderful artistry.

Also Olaf Stapledon - although he's a bit inaccessible, his ideas are *enormous*, specially in Starmaker.

More recently, I've loved Stephen Baxter's Manifold series (particularly "Time" and "Space"), and his "Time Ships" - his characterisation can sometimes be a bit "broad brush", but his technical expertise and bold big ideas more than compensate. Definitely worth a look.

Hamilton's great, too. Haven't got the Great North Road (is that the name?) yet, but his Reality Dysfunction and Commonwealth stories are something to get your teeth into.

Reading Ian Sales' "Adrift on the Sea of Rains" atm too - there's a very nice big idea in there, too. ;-)

Cheers,

Sarah
 
Iain M Banks' Consider Phlebas is a good un- the only Banks Ive read so far.

Ringworld by Larry Niven

Arthur C Clarke's Fountains of Paradise- cutting edge tech there!

Bob Shaw's Palace of Eternity.

Poul Anderson's Tau Zero

Greg Bear's Blod Music
 
Grimward said:
Thought I'd already recommended this here, but I guess not.

Stephen Donaldson's "Gap" series.
Michael Flynn's Firestar series.

Both very good reads, Donaldson's definitely being the 'darker' of the pair.
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I will second the Gap recommendation with the caveat that it is certainly not what one would call "optimistic" for the few books or so. Donaldson is definitely of the "light comes from darkness" philosophy. I should also note that it will also have an ick factor for some as there is some pretty brutal violence, though it relates to the plot and character development. On the other hand, it is one of the most impressive things I've ever read, had me reading through it continuously for several hours a day from book one to book five and has inspired me to (eventually) attempt a space opera of my own even though I was previously terrified of writing fiction. I can give no higher recommendation than that.
 
emptyman said:
Hi all. I'm new here, but a long time sci-fi fan. One thing though - I am pretty picky. I am looking for some recommendations because on Amazon and Goodreads there is just far too much info and I don't know where to start.
So - what am I looking for? I want and tend to like fiction where there are big, new ideas that inspire my imagination in a creative way. I prefer optimistic approaches, and huge expanses of time and perspective. I like 'big picture' motifs. I'm not into fantasy or plot-driven novels - I read sci-fi to feed that part of me that needs creativity and newness.
Ok - some favourites to give you a sense:
-John c. Wright and his "Golden Age' books (tremendously packed with great, stimulating ideas. my favourite sci-fi in years).
- Douglas Adams HGTTG
- Kurt Vonnegut (yes, he IS sci-fi, sometimes)
- Philip K Dick (short stories are so awesome, super-cool)
- Hyperion books by Simmons (didn't love them, but liked them enough to finish.)

I didn't like Asimov's foundation series that much (sorry).
So, given this, does anyone have any good ideas for me?
The next book I'm going to try is "The Quantum Thief". Thanks so much!
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You'd need a vast story arc. With rise and fall and rise again of groups etc. Time is a waveform, same as everything really. Even financial analysts noticed the same with the stock-market. Also soap opera plots use this etc.
Within the great time cycles are many smaller ones also.

I'm doing one myself right now. You have a beginning where the worlds are getting started, maybe some complications or wars etc, then move it to the developing point. Finally you can have the end-times or great-clash where things hit a turning point.

I am setting my story mostly on one world but to do the same on many others would be challenging, unless you have many many books planned within it?
 
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