What are 10 speculative fiction (the definition of which is left up to you, of course) would you say are among the best ever?
Here is my attempt in no particular order:
American Gods by Neil Gaiman
The Time Machine by H.G. Wells
Forever by Pete Hamill
Calculating God by Robert J. Sawyer
The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde
Fool on the Hill by Matt Ruff
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne
Lost Horizon by James Hilton
Please note Larry said "among the best ever" in his challenge not "the best" as this is more of an off the cuff list than anything else and is by no means comprehensive. I also do not define favorite as "best." If I did this list would be very different and would include the likes of Christopher Moore, Tom Robbins, and Walter Moers. Also, it was tough for me to leave out The Shadow of the Wind, but there is very little that ends up being speculative in the work. For me to be among the best there are a few qualifiers:
a: A work I have or would re-read. b. A work which is incredibly inventive. c. A work that is superbly plotted. d. A work I would highly recommend to anyone. e. A work with believable characters. f. A work that has made me think.
Awesome list. What's your definition of 'speculative fiction'? (I love that phrase - it always makes me picture a grumpy Harlan Ellison refusing to admit he writes science fiction)
ReplyDeleteI always thought of speculative fiction as a high-falutin way of saying Sci-fi/Fantasy/Horror. To me it just means the work contains things not thought of as possible or real. This may not be how everyone thinks of the term, but that is what it brings to mind when I see it. Incidentally my wife hates that term.
ReplyDeleteJust stumbled on your blog. Confirmed my belief I stumbled in the right direction when I saw 'Fool on a Hill' in the top 10 speculative fiction list. I knew that book was a short run at one time, and feared I may be one of the few people who had enjoyed the pleasure of being enveloped by it's beauty.
ReplyDelete@Danny Glad to have another Ruff fan in the fold. He is so under appreciated it is sick.
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