My Problem With SF

[poliphilo]

Once again I pick up an SF novel (in this case Ian M Banks' Excession) only to be reminded that I don't like SF novels because everyone in them is so boring.  I don't think it can be an inflexible rule of the genre that real people and space ships don't mix because Wells breaks it- but where are  the other SF writers who give you characters you can care about?

Comments

[puddleshark.livejournal.com]

I'm not really into hard sci-fi, but I like political and social sci-fi - Kristine Smith and Lois McMaster Bujold in particular. Though they're probably not the sort of authors you would come across in the local library...

The best new novel I've read so far this year just happens to be SF - Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie - very strong characterisation, and thoroughly involving.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I get most of my books from charity shops these days. You never know what you're going to come across.

Thanks for the suggestions.

[davesmusictank.livejournal.com]

Likewise!