The SFBC’s list of significant sf and fantasy of the 1953-2003 period, previously blogged by
Of course!
The Foundation Trilogy, Isaac Asimov
Fair enough.
Dune, Frank Herbert
Also fair enough.
Stranger in a Strange Land, Robert A. Heinlein
Influential, yet strangely crap.
A Wizard of Earthsea, Ursula K. Le Guin
Superb.
Neuromancer, William Gibson
Unmemorable.
Childhood’s End, Arthur C. Clarke
I did like this, though my favourite Clarke novel is, unfashionably, Imperial Earth. However it is probably fair to characterise this as the most influential “future of mankind” novel of its day.
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, Philip K. Dick
I was one of those who saw Blade Runner before I read the book and so was unprepared for how much more content the book has. I also read the unmemorable sequel by K.W. Jeter.
The Mists of Avalon, Marion Zimmer Bradley
Must surely be one of the biggest factors behind the recent revival in paganism, and also clearly influential in the fantasy genre.
Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury
Yes.
The Book of the New Sun, Gene Wolfe
Enjoyed it but didn’t quite see what the fuss was about.
A Canticle for Leibowitz, Walter M. Miller, Jr.
Yes, a truly great book.
The Caves of Steel, Isaac Asimov
As with most Asimov, I am not overwhelmed.
Children of the Atom, Wilmar Shiras
I don’t think I’ve ever heard of either the book or the author.
Cities in Flight, James Blish
Enjoyed it.
The Colour of Magic, Terry Pratchett
A hilarious beginning to a classic series, though my favourite is still Small Gods and perhaps also Thud!
Dangerous Visions, edited by Harlan Ellison
Great collection.
Deathbird Stories, Harlan Ellison
Haven’t read it.
The Demolished Man, Alfred Bester
Won the first ever Hugo award in 1953. Excellent stuff.
Dhalgren, Samuel R. Delany
Started it earlier this year; got stuck halfway through.
Dragonflight, Anne McCaffrey
Hmm. Enjoyed it a lot when I was very young. Not sure if it would stand the test of time, and I found the later books formulaic.
Ender’s Game, Orson Scott Card
Good stuff, though Card seems to be trying to rewrite it with his later novels.
The First Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever, Stephen R. Donaldson
Ah, yes. The basis of the famous practice
The Forever War, Joe Haldeman
Certainly influential as a military sf novel. I have my doubts about the ending.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, J.K. Rowling
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams
I Am Legend, Richard Matheson
Never heard of the book, and I don’t think I’ve heard of the author either.
Interview with the Vampire, Anne Rice
Have no intention of reading it. Persuade me otherwise, if you like.
The Left Hand of Darkness, Ursula K. Le Guin
Little, Big, John Crowley
This is the only one on the list I haven’t read which I feel somewhat ashamed about.
Lord of Light, Roger Zelazny
The Man in the High Castle, Philip K. Dick
Mission of Gravity, Hal Clement
More Than Human, Theodore Sturgeon
The Rediscovery of Man, Cordwainer Smith
Haven’t read much Smith, and certainly haven’t read this.
On the Beach, Nevil Shute
Rendezvous with Rama, Arthur C. Clarke
Ringworld, Larry Niven
Rogue Moon, Algis Budrys
The Silmarillion, J.R.R. Tolkien
Slaughterhouse-5, Kurt Vonnegut
Snow Crash, Neal Stephenson
Stand on Zanzibar, John Brunner
The Stars My Destination, Alfred Bester
Starship Troopers, Robert A. Heinlein
Stormbringer, Michael Moorcock
The Sword of Shannara, Terry Brooks
Timescape, Gregory Benford
To Your Scattered Bodies Go, Philip Jose Farmer
Do you have info on this Nick, or a good link that I could follow?