FAVOURITE SF AUTHORS

I consider JAMES MORROW to be possibly one of the most imaginative, satirical, witty and thought provoking authors of recent years.

Comparisons with Vonnegut, and others serve to maybe demonstrate the flavour, but maybe not the sheer heart stopping talent. His books move at a relentless pace.

I thought 'Only Begotten Daughter' could not be bettered, until I started to read the latest 'Blameless in Abaddon'. This is the second novel in his 'Godhead Trilogy,' which, (maybe to over simplify a complex theme) works on the premise that if God is Dead, what will they do with the body?

We are also privileged to have the first two chapters of the final part, 'The Eternal Footman' on this excellent site, although the publishers are holding us in suspense till later in 1999 for the full novel. Should leave us some with some highly entertaining concepts to ponder for the millenium. I can not recommend this author highly enough. He is the best there is.

There is the opportunity to HEAR THE AUTHOR reading the first few chapters of 'Blameless in Abaddon' with not inconsiderable gusto on the Sci-Fi Channel website. Well worth a listen.

One of the funniest authors to come out of the UK in a long time must be ROBERT RANKIN Hyper as hell, and the more he writes, the better it gets.

"Dog Called Demolition" was a really cute little yarn. And the wonderfully titled "Sprout Mask Replica" was wonderful, and of course a scientifically infallible, and extremely well thought out and considered analysis of the chaos theory.

The latest paperback (cheapskate that I am) is the 5th book in the notorious Brentford Trilogy, in which our favourite pub going heroes Pooley and Omally once more foil fiendish plots. The 'Brentford Chain Store Massacre' is a cracking read.

If you ever get a chance to see this bloke, at a signing or whatever, do it. He really is at least as entertaining in real life too..

(and a special and warm thanks to all at the Flying Pig Bookshop inDublin for their hospitality on the auspicious occasion of the recent launch of his latest novel, 'Apocalypso'.)

HARLAN ELLISON has, since my formative years been one of my all time favourite writers. His short stories simply ooze with charm, and his deep love for humankind shines through with every word of his gentle and delicate prose.
And if you believe that lot, you have certainly never read any of Harlan's works..

Start again.... His well observed, often caustic observations, which may be compared with compact bullets of pure vitriol, are wonderful commentaries on the darker side of the human condition. This is a superb site covering anything you would ever need to know about the bloke, and maybe a few you don't...

He also provides excellent value on terms of controversy, and good old fashioned abuse. There are proabably more sites devoted to reporting his various misdemeanours, than to praising the man. Which is a shame, and indicates so many miss the point. Having seen him in 1998 at the THE WRAP PARTY (Incidentally the ONLY con I have attended that was worth going to..) I can only confirm that the man is a complete and utter star!

Whimsical,amusing, barking bloody mad, bur always seemingly charming. Robert Sheckley was one of the finest. If you have 10 minutes, I would recommend a read of this little yarn to get the flavour. Highly under-rated, and sadly so very hard to get hold of his earlier books.

Last seen writing spin offs for Alien, DS9, and detective stories, (none of which I have read,) and Babylon 5 'A Call To Arms' (which I have read.) This maintains elements of Sheckleys gentle humour (such as describing the behaviour and lack of intellect of the arachnids of Chloris 5), but it is somewhat subdued by the elements which are required by the specialist market the book caters for.

Sadly Robert passed way in 2005. We shall not see his like again. Only pale imitations. :-(

A long time favourite of mine has always been THEODORE STURGEON He has written many haunting tales which remain in ones dreams long after the impact of the plot itself has diminished. He had a knack of dealing with alienation and taboos in a way which made the unacceptable often seem not only tolerable, but almost the norm.

What can one ever say about PHILIP K.DICK that has not already been said. Maybe it was left too late before the brilliance of the bloke could be appreciated. No one could trip those switches of the mind quite like PKD. Even without drugs, he is totally tripped out and surreal, although excessive intake is apparent in his last books. (Or was I the only person in the world who found Valis and the Divine Invasion incomprehensible?)

One of my main loves is OLD PULP MAGAZINES Eventually, I will have my entire collection uploaded, but here is a taste of what is to come.