Fantasy or science fiction?

[Sirtel]

Poll coming.

I've noticed some people read either fantasy or science fiction, but not both. What do you prefer? For myself, I've always happily read both.

[John F]

I voted for both. I jumped the gun and should have voted for other as I read science fiction and fantasy and other speculative fiction, although mainly sf&f.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by John F

I voted for both. I jumped the gun and should have voted for other as I read science fiction and fantasy and other speculative fiction, although mainly sf&f.

Voting for both doesn't mean you read no other genres. I also read other things besides F&SF.

[Apache]

I voted both, although I do read more Science Fiction than Fantasy.
Apache

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

Voting for both doesn't mean you read no other genres. I also read other things besides F&SF.

Yes, like comments here

But in a sense all fiction is Fantasy and sometimes SF. Also people "smuggle" spies, detective/mystery, romance, Westerns, adventure, coming of age, family sagas etc into both.

So I read both kinds of fiction, like the bar that plays all kinds of music, Country and Western.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

Poll coming.

I've noticed some people read either fantasy or science fiction, but not both. What do you prefer? For myself, I've always happily read both.

Given the question, what's the purpose of the last three answers?

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Given the question, what's the purpose of the last three answers?

Some folks might not read either fantasy or science fiction in the general sense, but only a subgenre, like paranormal romance, urban fantasy or litrpg. Others might read horror, superhero fiction, post-apocalyptic tales and so on, that don't fit neatly in either category. And still others may have read SF&F earlier, but stopped. There are many possible answers the first four options wouldn't cover.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

Some folks might not read either fantasy or science fiction in the general sense, but only a subgenre, like paranormal romance, urban fantasy or litrpg. Others might read horror, superhero fiction, post-apocalyptic tales and so on, that don't fit neatly in either category. And still others may have read SF&F earlier, but stopped. There are many possible answers the first four options wouldn't cover.

Neither covers everything not fantasy or science fiction.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Neither covers everything not fantasy or science fiction.

Look, you can make your own poll if you don't like mine. No one is stopping you.

[DJUNGELSKOG]

Both. Sometimes both at the same time.

[hobnail]

In my youth I read a lot of classic science fiction. But I stopped reading science fiction at some point in my 20s. I had thought it was because I wasn't so enthralled by their technological or whatever ideas. Years later I decided it was because science fiction stories were more about developing some idea and less about developing the character. I find that fantasy is often more about the characters. If the book doesn't make me care about the characters I get bored.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by hobnail

If the book doesn't make me care about the characters I get bored.

I'm the same, but fortunately there is a lot of science fiction with characters I'm able to care about.

[Uncle Robin]

Fantasy bores me, so I never read it. In my teens, the classic SF was enthralling and I devoured it. AS I've aged, the "gee whiz!" aspect of SF has also lost its magnetic appeal thanks to reality (and in part because of finding out what despicable human beings many of the "classic" authors were). So I don't read much SF now eith, but there are a few authors I keep an eye on for their ideas. Peter Hamilton, Arian Tchaikovsky and Kim Stanley Robinson will always at least get me considering their works.

Then are authors lkike China Miéville, Aliette de Bodard and Arkady Martine, who work a lot of focus on linstics and culture into their specualtive fiction and thus again ensure that I give serious thought to reading their works when released.

[nana77]

I did had read Fatasy in my twenties, specifically Tolkien' writtens (Tom Bombadill and Beowulf was my preferred characters, and lol off course Mr. Bliss too ).
Some years ago I went to read Robert E. Howard, for his saga of Conan the Barbarian (didn't read all of it); also it was published the comic's Marvell collection that monthly sold a volume in newsstands, bought it all but having read only half at the moment, and it's some years I don't read it.

So now it's only SF for me, like posted in other threads.

@Uncle Robin: imho you could try Ruby Rucker , it was in the Urania's edition of past month (loved his characters of Miss Max and companion): Gee Winklers was that kind of a character if you look for someone who's very "Gee Whiz".
Peter Hamilton was in this month's publishing (Judas Unchained) and as the italian version is spit in two parts, the second is next month.
Really didn't found a-page that would felt annoying or boring.

I don't know what you mean about the life of the authors, in SF, as I'd never invetigated ... I recall the synopsis of Howard's bewildered me, really.

[Uncle Robin]

Originally Posted by nana77

@Uncle Robin: imho you could try Ruby Rucker , it was in the Urania's edition of past month (loved his characters of Miss Max and companion): Gee Winklers was that kind of a character if you look for someone who's very "Gee Whiz".
Peter Hamilton was in this month's publishing (Judas Unchained) and as the italian version is spit in two parts, the second is next month.
Really didn't found a-page that would felt annoying or boring.

I don't know what you mean about the life of the authors, in SF, as I'd never invetigated ... I recall the synopsis of Howard's bewildered me, really.

Thanks for the rec! I did enjoy Judas Unchained very, very much, but was also very glad that I could read both parts back to back with no delay between