favorite science fiction/fantasy authors - what are yours?

[Carol]

Alla:
> 
> Interesting question and the answer will be long. <snip>
> I guess escapism definitely explains part of the reason of why I got interested in fantasy. <snip> There is a famous saying that the History does not like the word IF. Well, I always had been interested in that and fantasy is a good genre to see it. <snip>
> Does it answer your question?

Yes. Thank you. I snipped most of your response because these two are the reasons that most appeal to me--escapism and "what if?" Futuristic societies, OTOH, don't interest me at all. We're too dependent on technology already.

Anyone else want to explore the topic?

Carol, wishing everyone a happy first day of Spring tomorrow (it's like May in Tucson already)