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I've read enough of the list that I think I'll hang onto it to check out stuff that I haven't read. Obviously it's down to personal preference which of these a

I've read enough of the list that I think I'll hang onto it to check out stuff that I haven't read. Obviously it's down to personal preference which of these are the best, but I'm curious how other readers feel about a couple of these (potentially contrarian views): 1. Speaker For the Dead is my favorite of the Ender stuff. 2. I like Endymion duo better than Hyperion. (maybe my favorite ever, actually) 3. The Stand is also an all-time great to me, especially in light of current events. 4. I think the author should read more Niven - I guess he didn't really like Ringworld, which is another of my favorites.

InitialLastName 6y ago
> 2. I like Endymion duo better than Hyperion. (maybe my favorite ever, actually) Strong agree. The technical term for the advantage the Endymion books had is "a coherent plot". Also, using human reconstitution as a way to get around the acceleration constraints of space travel is awesome. Simmons' Ilium and Olympos (SF interpretations of the Iliad and [sort of] the Odyssey) are also super well-conceived.
nyhc99 6y ago
I personally liked the Hyperion duo better, but found all 4 books to be incredible. As for Ringworld, I didn't enjoy it, but would be willing to give Niven another try if given a strong and specific recommendation. Maybe something that has more of a plot. Wandering around a big empty construction in space where nothing happens didn't really do it for me. The author of this list and I seem to have very similar tastes. Most of his favorites are mine as well. The only favorite of mine that comes to mind as being left off this list is Heinlein's The Moon is a Harsh Mistress. It's also striking that he hasn't listed any of the Culture series by Iain Banks.
- Freak_NL 6y ago
  People seem really divided on the Hyperion Cantos in terms of which books or book pair stands out for them. I am thoroughly in the 'all four of them combine to form an impressive epic'-camp. I found it pleasing how Rise of Endymion closes the last strands of the story begun in Hyperion. Good call on Heinlein's Moon is a Harsh Mistress. Ringworld didn't do much for me either, but I do indulge in the Man-Kzin Wars spin-offs as a sort of guilty pleasure.

InitialLastName 6y ago

> 2. I like Endymion duo better than Hyperion. (maybe my favorite ever, actually) Strong agree. The technical term for the advantage the Endymion books had is "a coherent plot". Also, using human reconstitution as a way to get around the acceleration constraints of space travel is awesome. Simmons' Ilium and Olympos (SF interpretations of the Iliad and [sort of] the Odyssey) are also super well-conceived.

nyhc99 6y ago

I personally liked the Hyperion duo better, but found all 4 books to be incredible. As for Ringworld, I didn't enjoy it, but would be willing to give Niven another try if given a strong and specific recommendation. Maybe something that has more of a plot. Wandering around a big empty construction in space where nothing happens didn't really do it for me. The author of this list and I seem to have very similar tastes. Most of his favorites are mine as well. The only favorite of mine that comes to mind as being left off this list is Heinlein's The Moon is a Harsh Mistress. It's also striking that he hasn't listed any of the Culture series by Iain Banks.

Freak_NL 6y ago
People seem really divided on the Hyperion Cantos in terms of which books or book pair stands out for them. I am thoroughly in the 'all four of them combine to form an impressive epic'-camp. I found it pleasing how Rise of Endymion closes the last strands of the story begun in Hyperion. Good call on Heinlein's Moon is a Harsh Mistress. Ringworld didn't do much for me either, but I do indulge in the Man-Kzin Wars spin-offs as a sort of guilty pleasure.