Reading List 01.11.2001

This is a reading list of what I consider as essentials. Some prominent authors are missing from this list. My perspective has disregarded works important in the history of SF and their impact. I think that too many lists have dwelled on the history of science fiction and fantasy, ultimately presenting a rather myopic and fandom-influenced list.

Classifications can be abstract distinctions to some and meaningful differentiating boundaries to others. Here, I have made no attempt to justify what SF or fantasy is. I have simply put the works in broad categories.

In terms of 'essentials', I would not attempt to qualify them as a definitive list in any way as the list somewhat reflect some of my preoccupations, interests and mindset.

Science Fiction

Stanislaw Lem

The Cyberiad
The Futurological Congress
Solaris

Ian Watson

Inquisitor
 

Iain Banks

Use of Weapons
The Player of Games

Robert Heinlein

Starship Troopers

Philip K. Dick

The

William Gibson

Neuromancer

Bruce Sterling

Schismatrix
Islands in the Net

Thomas Disch

Camp Concentration

J.G. Ballard

David Platt

The Silicon Man

Frank Herbert

Dune

Fantasy

In this section, the inclusion of heroic fantasy and its tendency for novels to appear in sequences have bloated this list. Where necessary, there will be an indication of a sequence of works. I have also included horror in this category.

Michael Shea

Nifft the Lean
A Quest for Simibilis
 

Fritz Leiber

Swords against Deviltry

Michael Moorcock

Elric of Melibone
Sailor on the Seas of Fate

The Warhound and the Earth's Pain

Tim Powers

The Anubis Gates

Robert Holdstock

Mythago Wood
Lavondyss

Jack Vance

The Dying Earth
The Eyes of the Overworld
Cugel the Clever
Rhialto the Marvellos

J.R.R.Tolkien

The Hobbit
The Lord of the Rings

Ursula LeGuin

A Wizard of Earthsea
The Tombs of Atuan
The Farthest Shore

Robin Bailey

Swords against the Deadlands

H.P.Lovecraft

Call of Cthulhu

Robert E. Howard

Conan

David Ambrose

The Man who turned into Himself

Terry Brooks

The Sword of Shanara

Magic realism and other works of the fantastic

The following works are normally classified in bookstores and libraries as 'serious, literary works'. Again, I would think that the distinctions are very arbitrary. Some of the works in this section are metaphysical in nature and would examine ontological concerns.

Italo Calvino

Angela Carter

Jorge Luis Borges

John Fowles

Brian Moore

Iain Banks