Literature Suggestions

Excession The Player of Games Feersum Endjinn

Iain M. Banks

It doesn't get any better than this, kids. Know up front that it's science fiction. So what's wrong with that? His writing is so good that it more than stands on its own. "The Player of Games" is part of a series written about a futuristic society that I don't think anyone could better. It's wonderful and still believable.

The prose is a little dense, these are not books that you can skim or speed read. The point is that you don't want to. I can't recommend this author too highly.

A caveat is necessary, however. (Would you except anything less?) "Feersum Endjinn" (which is Fearsome Engine in English) is just one of the examples of Banks at his worst. He can be willful and "cute". This is only one of his books that are almost an extended practical joke. "The Bridge" is another. Still, the writing will hold you and it's not until you're finished that you realize that you've been had.

Some Other Suggestions

This list could go on forever. Maybe I'll extend it in the future. For now:

Science Fiction

Robert A Heinlein - You do know about him, don't you. I don't care that it's old. "Stranger in a Strange Land" is absolutely required.

David Brin - The Uplift War is now 6 books. You haven't read them yet? The other stuff is good too and it's not his fault that they made such a lousy movie from "Postman".

Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle - OK, there is some junk here, so be careful. "Footfall", though, will change how you feel about rocks and the "Star Wars" defense shield together. "The Mote in God's Eye" may be the best "first contact" (us contacting them) novel written.

John Brunner - I can't leave him out. "The Sheep Look Up" and "Stand on Zanzibar" are both excellent. "Shockwave Rider" was decades ahead of its time. It contains the first use of a computer "worm" that I ever read. All 3 are coming true and it isn't pleasant. These are all old and probably out of print but get them if you can.

Other Stuff

Come on, you can't read JUST science fiction. For the sake of brevity, here's two other suggestions.

John Updike - The master. He has influenced modern fiction more than anyone else. As a bonus, he writes the best sex scenes that you will ever read.

Sue Grafton - Who isn't in love with Kinsey Millhone? Yes, these are extremely light and not very mysterious but somehow addictive. Grafton is through "O" in her quest to write 26 novels before her brain fries. Maybe she'll make it.