A Question for the 25 and under crowd - What have you read?

[JRRNeiklot]

I'm too old for this poll, but I've read almost every single book published by every one of those authors and probably all the short stories as well, with the exception of one: Miéville. I would think anyone who considers themselves a fan of fantasy fiction would have a similar experience.

 

[Hussar]

I'm too old for this poll, but I've read almost every single book published by every one of those authors and probably all the short stories as well, with the exception of one: Miéville. I would think anyone who considers themselves a fan of fantasy fiction would have a similar experience.

Why?

Why do I have to read dead authors in order to consider myself a fan?

Do all mystery fans have to read A.C. Doyle and Agatha Christie before they can gain "fan cred"? Do all history fans have to read James Clavell before they can be considered fans?

In 2007 alone, there have been almost THREE HUNDRED fantasy novels published, and that does not count media tie ins or reprints. (you can find the stats here if you wish). Why in Hell do I have to read Fritz Leiber to consider myself a fantasy fan?

Hey, I like Leiber, I love Howard. But, I also realize that these writers are a very, very niche love of a very large genre.

 

[mmadsen]

Why do I have to read dead authors in order to consider myself a fan?

You don't have to read dead authors to be a fan. The issue is not whether they're dead or alive. You should, on the other hand, read the acknowledged masters of the genre.

Do all mystery fans have to read A.C. Doyle and Agatha Christie before they can gain "fan cred"?

I would think so. A mystery fan who had never read any Sherlock Holmes story would be... odd.

In 2007 alone, there have been almost THREE HUNDRED fantasy novels published, and that does not count media tie ins or reprints. (you can find the stats here if you wish). Why in Hell do I have to read Fritz Leiber to consider myself a fantasy fan?

Most fantasy novels are crap. (90 percent of everything is crud, of course.) You should try reading the best works by the masters of the genre before reading whatever happens to be new right now.

 

[Cadfan]

I would dispute many of these author's status as "masters of the genre." "Guys who came first in history and to whom we owe a lot," I'll give them. "Dudes who got copied and improved on," definitely. "Masters of the genre..." no. If I want to read Vancian fiction, I'll read Matthew Hughes.

The only "master of the genre" I'll concede is Tolkien, because he's so good at worldbuilding. Worldbuilding ruins far more books than it ever helps, so the fact that he managed to pull it off so incredibly well is a genuine accomplishment for the ages.

 

[Gentlegamer]

One of my fondest wishes is to be wealthy enough to send every player of D&D a copy of Jack Vance's Dying Earth stories (The Dying Earth, Eyes of the Overworld, Cugel's Saga, and Rhialto the Marvelous).

 

[Gentlegamer]

By the way Hussar, you have the large omission of E. R. Burroughs from your list.

 

[Gentlegamer]

(Sorry for the multiple posts)

It warms my heart to see mention of Lloyd Alexander in this thread. My own campaign is a general synthesis of Prydain, Middle-Earth, and the Hyborean Age.

 

[Nellisir]

• William Gibson (The Difference Engine)

Here's your generation gap, right here. If I had to pick one book to list with Gibson, it'd always be Neuromancer.

 

[Mercutio01]

Here's your generation gap, right here. If I had to pick one book to list with Gibson, it'd always be Neuromancer.

Oh, absolutely. If anything, "The Difference Engine" made me want to burn every Gibson novel ever written. I haven't detested a work of fiction with that level of vehemence since the last "literature" book I had to read in grad school.

 

[JRRNeiklot]

You don't have to read dead authors to be a fan. The issue is not whether they're dead or alive. You should, on the other hand, read the acknowledged masters of the genre.
I would think so. A mystery fan who had never read any Sherlock Holmes story would be... odd.
Most fantasy novels are crap. (90 percent of everything is crud, of course.) You should try reading the best works by the masters of the genre before reading whatever happens to be new right now.

Exactly.