favorite science fiction/fantasy authors - what are yours?

[susanmcgee48176]

--- In HPFGU-OTChatter at yahoogroups.com, "dumbledore11214" <dumbledore11214 at ...> wrote:
>
> Carol]:
> | So let me turn the tables a bit and ask the rest of you: Why
> | read sci-fi or fantasy or both? What's the attraction of those
> | genres, and do you prefer one over the other?
> 
> 
> Alla:
> 
> Interesting question and the answer will be long. I am the person who will read practically any genre as long as it engages me. The only criteria is that I have to find it interesting, really; therefore I never read any particular genre for any particular purpose besides enjoying the book. Ah, I guess I would not read pure horror story. Note I do not mean *violent story*, I mean staff like Steven King's, that I would not read period, no matter how well it is written, simply because I know myself to be very very easily scared. I do not watch horror movies either.


I'm with you, Alla...I read one Stephen King novel and I vowed never to read another...I agree his is a highly skilled author (and he sounds like a really great guy) but I do not like fear! (One exception is Dracula by Bram Stoker....scary, but an incredibly well done novel that I have enjoyed)...


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My answer is similar to Alla's. I don't think science fiction/fantasy is about the future -- that's a limited vein of the genre...but I DO think it's about alternative realities...it IS a way to stretch our thinking and stereotypes and hidebound prejudices without as much risk...

So, I think, for example, that lots of progressive ideas have been put forward in science fiction/fantasy terms by such authors as Ursula LeGuin, Octovia Butler, James Tiptree, Jr., J.K. Rowling, John Varley, Marian Zimmer Bradley, etc... I was thrilled at age 20 to read The Shattered Chain with its "Oath of the Free Amazons..."

However, there are very conservative writers who I enjoy, too! -- how much more conservative could Falkenberg's Legions be? But of course, it's about right and fighting for justice, and I've always loved those kinds of novels.

I think it's about being fascinating by a different -- and perhaps better - world.

Susan