Science Fiction 101: Where to Start Reading and Writing Science Fiction (Paperback)

~ Robert Silverberg (Author) "I must have been a peculiar little boy..." (more)
Key Phrases: slow glass, top emergency, little black bag, Adam Stone, Day Million, Commander Morrison (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A virtual primer on the writing of science fiction." Publishers Weekly"

Product Description

If you read or write science fiction, here is the best introduction to the secrets, the craft, and the art of science fiction. Included are thirteen classic works of modern sf; wondrous stories by Alfred Bester, Philip K. Dick, Jack Vance, Frederick Pohl, and many others. If you love science fiction, read how a young fan grew up to become one of the most honored masters in the history of the field, as told in his own words.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 560 pages
• Publisher: I Books (February 27, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 074341294X
• ISBN-13: 978-0743412940
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #920,278 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Learn from a master., August 27, 2002

By	Joe Haldeman (Gainesville, FL United States) - See all my reviews

I've used this book twice, teaching science fiction writing at MIT, and will use it a third time this year. It's an excellent introduction to "Golden Age" science fiction, with thoughtful analysis of each story by Silverberg, explaining why each was important to his development as a writer.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lessons from a Master, April 17, 2003

By A Customer

As the blurb on the book says, there really is something for any science fiction fan in here. You may choose to skip the first part where Silverberg talks about his entry into the wrold of SF writing, though, as a writer myself, I enjoyed it a great deal. It's a warm reminiscence not onlyof a young writer finding his voice but of those halcyon days of the so-called Golden and Silver Ages of science fiction.

The stories themselves are a terrific collection and include some true masterpieces of short story writing, some of which are rarely anthologised. Just go to the sample pages above to check out the contents list. I defy any SF fan not to enjoy most of these stories.

Then there are the essays on the stories, where Silverberg deconstructs and analyses the stories (without, I should add, in any way detracting from them). This isn't a case of the illusion being spoiled when you look at how it's done. I came away from them only more admiring of the skills and imaginations of the writers.

As to those who accuse this of being an ego exercise by Silverberg I can only say they obviously miss the point. There's a clear love of the craft and art of science fiction at work here. Silverberg tells us plainly that he chose these stories not because they are the all-time greats of the genre necessarily (though some actually are - and for a fuller list of such stories see Silverberg's anthology The Science Fiction Hall of Fame vol.1. The greatest SF short stories as chosen by the SF Writers Association).

These are the stories that a fledgling writer was moved by, astounded by, impressed and dazzled by. We all have our own lists of such stories and they often include ones that wouldn't be on anyone else's list. Doesn't make them bad choices, just personal ones. And frankly, if someone as talented as Robert Silverberg, an author and editor who's proven his talent time and again in this field, by any standard, hasn't earned the right after forty years of writing to do a collection like this, then I don't know who has.

There are any number of authors who have projected their own egos into their works. Harlan Ellison does it all the time and is wonderfully entertaining at it. The great Isaac Asimov published three thick volumes of autobiography that are a pleasure to read. Any editor who puts together an anthology projects their own tastes into it. The proof is ultimately in the work itself. And it's certainly on display here. End of sermon.

Do yourself a favour. Read this book. Maybe, Like Robert Silverberg, some of these stories will inspire you enough to begin writing yourself. Or at least to read more. And that can't be a bad thing.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Collection, June 3, 2004

By	"jradoff" (Southborough, MA United States) - See all my reviews

This is a superb collection of some of the finest short works of science fiction.

Some of my favorite stories are included here:

"Fondly Fahrenheit," Bester, one of science fiction's most beautiful examples of rhythm and poetic styling.

"Hothouse," Aldiss, an example of a future Earth that will fill you with awe.

"Day Million," Pohl, the classic boy-meets-girl story of the distant future.

The others are good as well, but the above tales are worth the price of the book alone. Add in Silverberg's commentary, and you've got a treasure-trove.