12-12-2011, 04:41 AM | #106 |
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There is only one author whose complete works I have thoroughly enjoyed time and time again, and that is Robert A. Heinlein.
I'm not a big science fiction fan - I find much of it derivative and cold - but Heinlein's work (more accurately defined as "speculative fiction" by the man himself) contained at its core a deep understanding of humanity and the human condition, communicated by some of the most interesting, varied and convincing characters to ever come from fiction. As was often the case for sci-fi in Heinlein's day, the genre was mostly an allegory for modern life that allowed him to make bold social statements without fear of reprisal. This meant that the characters and dialog were always the focus of the story, and not the technology. However, Heinlein's deep passion and understanding of mathematics, physics and science, as well as the military, is very apparent in all his writing and incredibly infectious. It adds an air of credibility and authenticity to his stories. His earlier novels in particular are charming, often introducing young and naive protagonists who view the galaxy - including the races that populate it and the technology they utilise - with a child-like wonder, through which the reader can identify. Because the themes he presents are universal - crossing from childhood into adulthood, redemption, camaraderie, love, a strong sense of family, the struggle against oppression and good old fashioned exploration and adventure - his work appeals to all kinds of readers. A love of science fiction is certainly not a pre-requisite for enjoying the worlds of Robert A. Heinlein. |
12-12-2011, 10:20 AM | #107 |
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Tim Powers
John Irving Guy Gavriel Kay Nick Hornby Neal Stephenson Dennis Lehane James P. Blaylock Dan Simmons |
12-12-2011, 10:52 AM | #108 |
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Joe Abercrombie
Alastair Reynolds Kurt Vonnegut |
12-12-2011, 10:58 AM | #109 | |
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Quote:
Amazon also has this one, as well as The Tremor of Forgery, The Cry of the Owl, and Eleven. |
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12-12-2011, 11:20 AM | #110 |
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Current authors who are must-reads:
Anne Perry Victoria Thompson Megan Abbott Marian Babson Mary Stewart Deceased authors who are must-reads: Shirley Jackson Cornell Woolrich John Steinbeck Victoria Holt Phyllis A. Whitney |
12-14-2011, 03:51 AM | #111 |
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Alten, Steve
Arruda, Suzanne Berry, Steve Doetsch, Richard Evanovich, Janet Francis Dick Grafton, Sue Harper, Tom Howard, Linda Kearsley, Susanna Knox, Tom MacLeod, Charlotte Mariani, Scott Michaels, Barbara Paretsky, Sara Parnell, Hall Peters, Elizabeth Preston & Child Rollins, James Scott, Michael Stewart, Mary Sussman, Paul Twining, James |
02-11-2012, 05:21 AM | #112 |
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Mikhail Bulgakov
Knut Hamsun Fyodor Dostoyevsky Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa Alexander Trocchi Alan Sharp John Kennedy Toole Robert Pirsig Neil Gunn Joseph Conrad Milan Kundera |
02-13-2012, 05:56 AM | #113 |
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I would say, Tolkien, Herbert, King, Murakami and Grama ().
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02-13-2012, 11:23 AM | #114 |
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Chris Walley.
Michael Crichton. |
02-13-2012, 11:29 AM | #115 |
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Among authors still writing:
Peter F. Hamilton Iain M. Banks Neal Stephenson Dan Simmons Conn Iggulden |
02-13-2012, 05:59 PM | #116 |
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Alex Kava Jonathan Kellerman I do read authors whose surnames begin with letters other than K too! |
02-13-2012, 09:36 PM | #117 |
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I have recently added Max Allen Collins and Robert K. Tanenbaum to my very long list.
Helen |
02-14-2012, 09:28 AM | #118 |
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For me (in no particular order);
Living authors Christopher Brookmyre Carl Hiaasen Iain Banks (without the 'M') Jo Nesbo Lee Child Ben Elton Terry Pratchett Jim Butcher Rob Grant Those that are now sadly deceased and so won't be publishing any more books George MacDonald Fraser John Steinbeck Steig Larsson Douglas Adams Last edited by Bilbo1967; 02-14-2012 at 09:33 AM. |
02-14-2012, 09:53 AM | #119 |
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I grew up with Lucy Maud Montgomery and have not outgrown her. Her works are pretty much curriculum around Canadian schools and all of the LMM works in the public domain were the first to hit my calibre and E readers.
Margaret Atwood is a master author too, Canadian as well. I have read most of her novels and have bought and re-bought my favorites. She's weird, wonderful, diverse. "Cat's Eye" was the first full length novel I read and I have 2 paperback copies, plus, borrow it from the library from time to time. My life would not be complete without Farley Mowat. They just recently added his e-books to our library and I was thrilled. I started getting into Lee Child's reacher series. His scenarios are over the top unbelievable, but page turning, and I am suitably grossed out by the way he chooses to kill his victims. I've only read the first and second, but will eventually read the others as they become available. Every now and again, I like a little Nora Roberts. ETA: Only after I posted did I read the other posts, and the start date of this thread, but hey, still cool to hear about other authors and why they are liked. Last edited by spindlegirl; 02-14-2012 at 09:56 AM. |
02-14-2012, 02:37 PM | #120 | ||
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