Best SF of the 1990s, revisited

[eldritchhobbit]

* Thanks to everyone who responded to my poll about the best SF of the 1990s. Great choices!

I think my short list - a hard thing to create! - would look something like this:
Connie Willis, Doomsday Book (1992)
Neal Stephenson, Snow Crash (1992)
Lois McMaster Bujold, Mirror Dance (1994) or Memory (1996)
Neil Gaiman, Neverwhere (1996)
Mary Doria Russell, The Sparrow (1997)

* Andrew Wheeler of the SF Book Club is still asking for suggestions here.


In other news, my Reason Magazine tribute piece entitled "The Parables of Octavia Butler: A science-fiction writer's rich libertarian legacy" is now up at Reason Online.


Some prices are just too high, no matter how much you may want the prize. The one thing you can't trade for your heart's desire is your heart.
Lois McMaster Bujold, Memory

Comments

[dodger-winslow.livejournal.com]

Ah, how did I know that Connie and Neil were both gonna make the final cut? :D

So, just 'cause I gotta ask (you know I do), you're not making a differentiation between SF and Fantasy? Cause, you know, Neverwhere ...?

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Ah, how did I know that Connie and Neil were both gonna make the final cut? :D

You know me so well! ;)

According to the SF Book Club, they were defining SF in this case as speculative fiction, including science fiction, fantasy, and horror, I think. Hence Neverwhere. They are tricksy hobbitses, aren't they?

[dodger-winslow.livejournal.com]

Indeed they are. Cause that line between horror and thriller is pretty vague, too. I hate it when they do that. SF is such a different animal from Fantasy for me; I don't like comparing unicorns to vulcans to vampires. I makes me not happy. ;)

[sneezythesquid.livejournal.com]

I so agree, especially with the line between thriller and horror. Drives me batty.

[dodger-winslow.livejournal.com]

This is the bane of my DVD collection. Thriller, horror, thriller, horror. What is Jaws? Oh, definately thriller cause, like, the villian isn't supernatural. Oh, okay, what about Chain Saw Massacre? Horror. But, but, but ...

;)

My husband and I have finally come up with a solution to the funny/not-funny comedy classification. Big Chill (Mine): Comedy. Scary Movie 23 (His): Stupid. :D

[sneezythesquid.livejournal.com]

LOL.

The one that drives me insane: The Silence of the Lambs. I say it's not horror, but a thriller. Just about everyone else disagrees with me. :)

[dodger-winslow.livejournal.com]

My hubs and I finally agreed that it was our DVD collection, so we could categorize as we saw fit. So our final determination was this: "Horror" is a supernatural category which requires the villian to have supernatural aspects to his characterization.

Therefore, Jaws, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Silence of the Lambs, Seven, The Hitcher, Wrong Turn, Scream and even House of Wax and Deep Blue See, both of which are almost supernatural in that it can't be done, but still supposed to be Human/animal in origin, are all Thrillers.

On the other hand: The Crow, In Dreams (because of the psychic element), From Hell (because of the "visions" involved), Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Unbreakable, Skeleton Key, Ghost Ship, Hollow Man and Night of the Living Dead are all Horror, as their villians are supernatural in at least one aspect, even if that aspect is a presumption of psi powers the ilk of which may or may not actually exist.

House of a Thousand Corpses we file under stupid. And his. :D

[sneezythesquid.livejournal.com]

I have to say, I like your system.

House of a Thousand Corpses we file under stupid. And his. :D

LOL...I kinda like HoaTC, as I could see what Rob was trying to do...but yea, it's sub-par. Still, it has some great moments. :)

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

PS. Love the icon. :)

[dodger-winslow.livejournal.com]

Ha! I knew you would. Made it just for you. :D

How very wilderness of me. ;)

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

How very wilderness of me. ;)

Indeed! And I'll bet Q's is not bigger. ;)

[dodger-winslow.livejournal.com]

Ha! You so bad. Have I mentioned recently how much I love that about you?

[dracschick.livejournal.com]

Congrats on your tribute piece:)

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much! :) I appreciate it.

[estellye.livejournal.com]

A lovely tribute to Octavia Butler. You have a way of pointing me in the direction of Very Cool People. I'm sorry she was lost so young.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Thank you SO much! That thrills me. And yes, it is a very sad loss.

[maidoforange.livejournal.com]

Ooooh, I LOVE The Doomsday Book and Neverwhere. I'm sorry I somehow missed the poll.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Excellent taste! LOL. :) And I love your icon.

[sneezythesquid.livejournal.com]

Whoo-hoo! Congrats on getting published again! You rock!

And that's a great quote.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Many thanks! :)

[fungus-files.livejournal.com]

Just skived over to read your Butler tribute. Gorgeous stuff. Your prose is so direct and evocative. I just packed my copies of her books at my Brisbane house, and remembered how affected I was when I first read them. Must re-visit!

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Thank you SO much! That means a tremendous amount to me, especially coming from you. Butler's a real loss, isn't she? Thanks again for the lovely feedback.