Jack McDevitt-like sci-fi

[Mouseferatu]

After years of almost nothing but fantasy and the occasional horror, I've recently read an actual science-fiction novel. It was called Polaris, by Jack McDevitt, and was one of several books he's written about an antiquities dealer named Alex Benedict. And I found that I really, really enjoyed the novel.

So I'm wondering, for those of you familiar with his work, are there any other authors, of similar style* that I should be looking at? (I say "other writers" because I've already ordered the other Alex Benedict novels.)

*Said style being that the "sci" in the sci-fi is slightly on the "hard" end of the continuum, as opposed to space opera or complete technobabble like Star Trek, but where it's still primarily a background element to a well-written, fast-paced story and clever dialogue.

 

[Crothian]

You mean Jack McDevitt I think

I have read and enjoyed all of his novels. I haven't found anyone else that writes quite like him yet. But I keep looking.

 

[Mouseferatu]

You mean Jack McDevitt I think

Oh, sure, if you want to muddy the waters with facts.

Oh, uh, oops.

 

[Pbartender]

After years of almost nothing but fantasy and the occasional horror, I've recently read an actual science-fiction novel. It was called Polaris, by Jack McKevitt, and was one of several books he's written about an antiquities dealer named Alex Benedict. And I found that I really, really enjoyed the novel.

So I'm wondering, for those of you familiar with his work, are there any other authors, of similar style* that I should be looking at? (I say "other writers" because I've already ordered the other Alex Benedict novels.)

I'm also very fond of McDevitt.

Also check out his "Academy" series, based around the character Priscilla Hutchins.

I read a lot of authors... I'll have to think for a bit to come up with others with similar styles.

In the meantime, what other sci-fi authors have you read?

 

[Mouseferatu]

In the meantime, what other sci-fi authors have you read?

Honestly, it's been so long since I read any "pure" sci-fi, it's hard to remember.

Let's see... I read, and really enjoyed, Diane Duane and Peter Morwood's "Space Cops" series. It was pretty light and fluffy, but it was fun. Of course there were the occasional Star Trek or Babylon 5 novels, but those aren't what I'm looking for. And there were a few others, but I honestly can't recall the names right now.

And now, for the part that's going to get me beat up. I have no interest in Asimov or Frank Herbert. I've tried both, and the writing from both was so dull that it didn't matter to me how cool the ideas might've been; I couldn't get into them. Just IMO, of course, but it gives you a hint of what not to recommend.

 

[Pbartender]

Also, what sorts of sub-genres do you enjoy... action, mystery, suspense, military, comedy, etc.?

And now, for the part that's going to get me beat up. I have no interest in Asimov or Frank Herbert. I've tried both, and the writing from both was so dull that it didn't matter to me how cool the ideas might've been; I couldn't get into them. Just IMO, of course, but it gives you a hint of what not to recommend.

No problem... I love Asimov, and like much (but not all) of Herbert's stuff, but I understand where you're coming from. Asimov can be pretty dry.

I will recommend some Asimov, however, that's a little different than his usual stuff... Hoping that you will give it a try, but fully expecting that you probably won't.

I'll post a list later tonight, after I consult our extensive library at home.

 

[Mouseferatu]

Also, what sorts of sub-genres do you enjoy... action, mystery, suspense, military, comedy, etc.?

I'm a fan of a number of sub-genres, but action, mystery, and horror would come toward the top of the list. (The fact that I'm posting about McDevitt probably confirms the first two.)

I have no particular affinity for military material, but so long as it's a good read, I'm not opposed to it. I like humor, but I prefer that it come from the characters and the description, as opposed to it being the point of the book. (For instance, I love the dialogue in Joss Whedon's shows, but I like it because it's a counterpoint to the serious aspects of the show. I love movies with funny lines/scenes, but I dislike movies that actually fall into the comedy genre.)

I will recommend some Asimov, however, that's a little different than his usual stuff... Hoping that you will give it a try, but fully expecting that you probably won't.

Feel free to suggest. I'll at least give it some thought.

I'll post a list later tonight, after I consult our extensive library at home.

Cool. Thanks.

 

[Pbartender]

Alright...

First, take a look at Issac Asimov's "Lucky Starr, Space Ranger" series, which he wrote under the pseudonym Paul French. It's a bit more pulp-action than his usual stuff, and the plots are heavily into the sort of action-mystery-suspense that you'll see from McDevitt's Benedict books. Part of the reason behind that is that the series was intended for a young adult audience and written with the intent of possibly turning it into a television series.

Also take a look at Ursula LeGuin's "Solar Queen" series, which she wrote under the name Andrew North. It follows the career of a young man who joins the interstellar equivalent of the merchant marine, and misadventures of the crew of the tramp freighter he's assigned to. She's got a lot of other titles, but honestly most them get pretty weird.

Check out Harry Harrison, especially the "Stainless Steel Rat" series about a future criminal who gets caught and effectively recruited to be a future cop. The third book in the series, The Stainless Steel Rat Saves the World is perhaps one best time travel stories I've ever read. Also read his book Make Room! Make Room!, which is the novel that the movie Soylent Green is based on... Spoiler:

Spoiler

Soylent isn't green, and it isn't made of people.

Take a look at Philip K. Dick. He's considered by many to be the forefather of the cyberpunk genre. His writing is rather dystopian and may be just a bit slow for what you're looking for, but several of his novels were turned into classic sci-fi movies: Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? became the movie Bladerunner, "We Can Remember It for You Wholesale" was made into Total Recall, Minority Report and A Scanner Darkly are both movies made from stories of the same names. Aside from being very good reads, they may be worth reading just to compare with the movies.

David Gerrold wrote a lot of scripts for Star Trek, both the original series and The Next Generation. He's the man responsible for "The Trouble With Tribbles". He also wrote several sci-fi novels. The "Star Wolf" series is fun, but very reminiscent of Trek. The "Dingilliad" is another fun series directed toward a young-adult audience.

You might also like Richard K. Morgan. Start with Altered Carbon.

Phew. That's a good start. Let me know if you need more suggestions... I'm a prolific reader of a wide variety of fiction, but sci-fi and historical fiction have long been my favorites.

 

[Jack7]

Larry Niven. Yeah his books are kinda crazy sometimes but he has an extremely well developed mythos, such as Known Space, and Ringworld, and his stories are extremely interesting. I also like McDevitt though. Not many really consistently great sci-fi writers anymore though. Not in my opinion.

But you might also try Frederik Pohl and Ben Bova.

 

[Pbartender]

Larry Niven.

Gah! I knew I had one more author to suggest, and then the name slipped my mind... Thanks, Jack.