Frederik Pohl

[Ric]

SFWA grandmaster passed away recently as reported on Locus:

http://www.locusmag.com/News/2013/09/...

His Gateway series, Jem and Man Plus are among my all-time favorites. He wrote with a distinctive voice that was remarkably contemporary, eluding dating. His style was very accessible. Today's SF owes a lot to Mr. Pohl's body of work.

[Ric]

Starting a poll on favorite Pohl book, hence the Pohl Poll.

[Ann]

Hmmmm I've actually never read Pohl, not sure how I missed him! Our library has The Space Merchants, is that an okay place to start?? Thanks. :)

[Henry]

It's been a bad year, for science- fiction writers.Jack Vance,Richard Matheson and now Frederick Pohl,gone....

[Ric]

Ann wrote: "Hmmmm I've actually never read Pohl, not sure how I missed him! Our library has The Space Merchants, is that an okay place to start?? Thanks. :)"
Pohl is one of those writers who had several careers, each time re-inventing himself. The Space Merchants is from vintage Pohl of the 50s. Here's a review that hopefully convince you about this book.

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[Ann]

Gulp. Errr prophetic much, lol? Downloading it from the library now, thank you! I love the oldies and this one looks like it's right up my alley. :)

[Ric]

Henry wrote: "Its been a bad year, for science- fiction writers.Jack Vance,Richard Matheson and now Frederick Pohl,gone...."
Iain Banks too.

[Ric]

Ann wrote: "Gulp. Errr prophetic much, lol? Downloading it from the library now, thank you! I love the oldies and this one looks like it's right up my alley. :)"
Please share your review and comments with us!

[Ann]

Okay, I will. :) I'm just starting it today. I was heavily involved in The Good Thief's Guide to Amsterdam ... Talk about convoluted! That one lost me and I'm going to have to reread it one of these days. I obviously wasn't paying enough attention!

[Henry]

Ric wrote: "Henry wrote: "Its been a bad year, for science- fiction writers.Jack Vance,Richard Matheson and now Frederick Pohl,gone...."
Iain Banks too."
Never heard of him.

[Ann]

Is this the Iain Banks who wrote The Hydrogen Sonata??? That one is in my TBR pile ...

[Ric]

British writer who wrote his science fiction under the name Iain M. Banks. Books include: Consider Phlebas, Player Of Games and, yes, Ann, The Hydrogen Sonata.

[Ann]

I keep meaning to get to him ... have you read and liked him, Ric?

[Ric]

Ann wrote: "I keep meaning to get to him ... have you read and liked him, Ric?"

I've read his early work, Phlebas and Player of Games, but got stuck with Use of Weapons. His themes were a bit dark for me.

[Ann]

Okay, thank you, Ric. I am not too fond of dark themes either. Since I already have The Hydrogen Sonata I guess I'll just try that and ... see what happens! :)