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30 Sci-Fi Books To Read Before You Die
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“It’s hard to believe this book was written in the mid-fifties for so many elements of the writing and the story feel so modern. That being said about half way through the book it struck me that it is most likely a science fiction retelling of the Count of Monte Cristo. Above all it is a tale of revenge, and like in Monte Cristo revenge is a hollow thing to live for, leaving one vacant as success become eminent. But revenge is not the only aspect of the book, it is a well-rounded story and even manages to tug on the heart strings a bit. Parts of the story were absurdist and decadent, bringing to mind Moorcock’s An Alien Heat. The book is obviously an SF classic but it is also hard to understate how much of an influence it became for so many writers, and now, myself included. Finally reading this book puts into perspective how it was influential to so many different camps of science fiction authors and will likely remain so. Fans of anti-hero stories will especially enjoy this tale. After reading this book I am greatly looking forward to reading more of Bester’s work, including but not limited to The Demolished Man. Highly recommended.”
Jean-Paul,
Space Cowboy Books
Marooned in outer space after an attack on his ship, Nomad, Gulliver Foyle lives to obsessively pursue the crew of a rescue vessel that had intended to leave him to die.
When it comes to pop culture, Alfred Bester (1913–1987) is something of an unsung hero. He wrote radio scripts, screenplays, and comic books (in which capacity he created the original Green Lantern Oath). But Bester is best known for his science fiction novels, and The Stars My Destination may be his finest creation. With its sly potshotting at corporate skullduggery, The Stars My Destination seems utterly contemporary, and has maintained its status as an underground classic for over fifty years.
Alfred Bester's passionate novels of worldly adventure, high intellect, and tremendous verve, The Stars My Destination and the Hugo Award-winning The Demolished Man, established Bester as a science fiction grandmaster, a reputation that was ratified by the Science Fiction Writers of America shortly before his death in 1987. Bester also was an acclaimed journalist for Holiday magazine, a reviewer for the Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, and even a writer for Superman.
Gerard Doyle records everything from adult, young adult, and children's books to literary fiction, mysteries, humor, adventure, and fantasy. He has won countless AudioFile Earphones Awards, including for A Star Called Henry by Roddy Doyle, and was named a Best Voice in Young Adult Fiction in 2008. His audiobook credits include Clubland by Frank Owen, And Thereby Hangs a Tale by Jeffrey Archer, The Distant Echo by Val McDermid, and A Risk Worth Taking by Robin Pilcher. His career in British repertory theater includes many productions, most notably The Crucible, The Tempest, The Importance of Being Earnest, and Fiddler on the Roof. He has also appeared on television, including New York Undercover and Law & Order.
