favorite science fiction/fantasy authors - what are yours?

[dumbledore11214]

--- In HPFGU-OTChatter at yahoogroups.com, "susanmcgee48176" <Schlobin at ...> wrote:
> 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...

Alla:

Right and What ifs do not have to be only the type of some key event at some point went differently than in our universe.

Guy Kay's novels for example all based on the cultures of different countries in different times (late, early medieval, etc) with very very recognizable patterns, but he adds some magic, adds some VERY interesting made up religions and here we go, new world arises, which is to me a joy to explore almost always.

Like for example Tigana is based on medieval Italy, if one is A LITTLE bit familiar with it, one would recognize it, but then we have IMO fascinating religion, interesting use of magic and the different world action takes place in.