Since I first read Isaac Asimov’s The Foundation Trilogy, I have sought out new writers of Science
Fiction. For nearly thirteen years while
I returned to college and finished my Masters in Divinity (the name still makes
me chuckle), I had far too many require readings to read for pleasure. It was such a joy to have at least a little
time for reading the greats of Science Fiction such as Heinlein, McCaffrey and
Cherryh. C. J. Cherryh’s Foreigner series helped me understand
our children’s passion for languages. As
Esther teaches Czech and Russian and Ray’s is Japanese, now married to a
beautiful Japanese woman. Esther and I
read the new Cherryh together.
Now that I am retired and can read all the more what fills
my spirit most, one of my great joys is discovering a “new” Science Fiction writer. That is new for me. Talented writers bring you into a new world
of the possible. Often they realize that
science and technology always have two sides.
There is the delightful side of discovery and new potential and there is
the equally disappointing side of unexpected and harmful side effects. Good Science Fiction explores hidden motives
and introduces us to surprising heroes as well as lost souls. So
here are two of my new fines:
Hugh Howery’s Silo Saga is a tribute to human
extremes. There are the fascist yearnings
to have one’s own way and destroy all those who would stand between one and one’s
desire for control and there are the indomitable spirits who confront overwhelming
odds and do NOT give up. Howery[1]
creates an end time worlds buried in the ground. Talk about creative he has a UBS drive that
has all three Silo Saga books: Wool, Shift, and Dust. He even gave permission to another writer,
Ann Christy to use his “world” for the setting of her writings.
Marissa Meyer’s The Lunar Chronicles[2]
confronts human prejudice in a whole new way.
Cyborgs are the new throw away people.
These are not the cyborgs of Battlestar
Galactica, these are ordinary folks who through trauma or illness need
mechanical supplements, such as artificial limps or eyes even hearts. Can anyone spell pacemaker? There is even a strange and deadly virus that
adds terror to the stories. But more
than all of that, you will meet strong women who confront overwhelming odds
with strength of character. Meyer uses
traditional fairy tales (have you seen ABC’s Once Upon a Time?) to frame her stories so there is heterosexual romance.
I dedicate this column to Jo Clayton[3]
who wrote Science Fiction and Fantasy.
There was an overarching theme of forgiveness in many of her 35
novels. She died of cancer in 1998 ~ she was a true gift from God!
