The Apolyton Science Fiction Book Club: May Nominations

[Wraith]

--"Lord of Light is a valid nomination though."

That would work. Or Doorways in the Sand.

--"I'd have to say Amber is more sf than fantasy since it is fundamentally metaphysical and not fantastical."

What did I say about the genre flame wars?

In any case, I don't see it. For one, metaphysical is the same thing as fantasy to me. For another, I don't remember them getting all quantum about things, they pretty much just accepted that the shadow worlds existed and that they could manipulate them. It was definitely treated more as magic than technology (even extremely advanced technology).

In fact, the only real tech aspect I can recal is what Merlin was trying to put together in the second half of the series.

Wraith
"If a man understands the priorities of his fellows, he can lead them. If he fails in this, all the good intentions in the world won't buy him loyalty."
-- Harkur ("In Conquest Born")

[Darsnan]

I'll second Tuberski's nomination of "Armour" by Steakley: IMO it definately beat out Heinlen's "Starship Troopers" as well as Haldeman's "The Forever War" as far as combat sci-fi of this nature, and I really loved the ending.

D

[Static Universe]

Originally posted by randomturn
It anticipated chaos theory and complexity theory and alludes strongly to the scientific/philosophical debate on human free will versus determinism. It takes place in a quantum-mechanical infinite-universes multiverse. So while it may not be technological, it is deeply grounded in science theory.

While I am prepared to accept the Amber novels as a form of Sci-Fi Fantasy, in no way will I agree that it "anticipated chaos theory and complexity theory" or that it's "deeply grounded in science theory".

Zelazny is a fine and intelligent writer, but his primary sources are Joseph Campbell, and the bits of Jungian psychology that haven't been glossed over by the psyhological community in the last 75 years. IMO, this stuff more mysticism than metaphysics.

[JohnT]

It is likely that the Amber books are of those novels that can be argued for both sides. So, the question now becomes 'how is the book sold'?

According to the publisher, the book(s) are a "fantasy" and are sold as such.

Another site confirms:

It may be for this reason that RZ's sf was language-driven, irony-choked, corrosively playful, and -- after the early years of his career -- intermittent; and that he is now best known for his works of fantasy, in particular the 2 linked sequences making up the ongoing Amber series.

Therefore, the Amber books are not science fiction and thus aren't eligible for voting. But Lord of Light is science fiction and will be randomturns nominee, unless he states otherwise by Monday morning.

[Eli]

Amber is definetely not SF. There arent any scientific/technological aspects involved at all.

If we had a vote for fantasy books though, Amber would've been my first choice. It's way above all the LoTR crap.
*ducks*

[JohnT]

Any other nominations? I'm going to start the voting Monday morning (EST, -5GMT).

[St Leo]

What's wrong with the 10-Book Volume?

There arent any scientific/technological aspects involved at all.

What about gunpowder?

[Eli]

They could be riding from world to world(I forgot the terminology) on starships instead of horses and it still would be fantasy.

It all boils down to the discussion couple months ago on what is sci-fi and what is not. As long as there is no scientific explanation, even as crappy as in Star Trek, it's not sci-fi.
My opinion of course.

[JohnT]

Well, the publisher markets it as fantasy, and they should know, so... :shrugs:

[GePap]

The Uplift War by David Brin; part of his first Uplift trilogy. Of course, it does mention other books, even if it is somewhat self-contained....

Well, perhaps Brightness Reef by Brin. Different set of dieas, but brin has some very interesting ones.

[JohnT]

Which, GePap? Is Brightness Reef self-contained ala Uplift War?

[Clear Skies]

I dug out my copy of Empyrion - here's the blurb from the back of it.

Traveller, debt-dodger, itinerant critic and writer of history books nobody buys, Orion Treet is astounded to be invited to accompany top-secret mission: to observe and document an extraterrestrial colony on a newly-discovered planet.

But the paradise planet Treet and his companions are promised is a nightmare world locked in a spiral of hate, fear and death. The Earthlings' arrival rekindles an impossibly ancient feud - a deadly conflict between two highly evolved civilisations. It is a struggle for the future of a world, a battle where there can be no spectators and everyone must choose a side.

It's a great book, weaving science, sociology, politics, morality and many other strands into a cohesive whole. The characterisations, while sometimes bizarre, are very well moulded, and the two opposing socities are well fleshed out.

[GePap]

Originally posted by JohnT
Which, GePap? Is Brightness Reef self-contained ala Uplift War?

Sorry JohnT, but just after I got ofline I realized my mistake. NO, Brigthness Reef is not at all self-contained, unlike The Uplift War, but the book I was thinking of at the time was not even part of the whole Uplift universe by Brin's Glory Season, which is another thing all together.

[JohnT]

Well, unless otherwise notified, I will consider "The Uplift War" to be your nomination as it was the first book mentioned.

Also, I added your selection to my list on page 2 (I have 20-posts per page). We now have 17!

I start the voting thread tomorrow morning, meaning that no more nominations after that time.

So, if you haven't nominated,

[JohnT]

All right, this one is closed. Voting thread upcoming...