3 ms·

Orson Scott Card is not too far off, IMO.

Retric 14y ago
Sadly, I found over time his newer books became steadily worse. It's odd to me that someone like Jim Butcher can get steadily better where other authors 'give up', start believing their own hype, use ghost writers, or something.
- RyanMcGreal 14y ago
  I've wondered if the declining arc of Card's writing is connected to his apparently increasing narrowness, rigidity and dogmatism in general.
- jordo37 14y ago
  Completely agreed. I don't mind skimming through OSC's books now but they are just fun reads (plus I'm always looking for some of his more vile opinions to seep through, though that never really happens).
- pasbesoin 14y ago
  Of the more recent generations, I've particularly enjoyed Vinge and Brin, although Brin varies somewhat. There are probably a few others I could mention, but they have a nasty habit of not coming to mind when I make a conscious effort. For Vinge, I would recommend particularly A Deepness in the Sky and (prequel) A Fire Upon the Deep. For Brin, the second and third books of his Uplift Trilogy, adding also the first for context. The second and third are Startide Rising and The Uplift War. Also, his book Earth, which stands alone. P.S. Gibson and Stephenson. Gibson's Neuromancer and the two subsequent; after that, I couldn't continue (so, another "Card-esque" experience?). Also Gibson's collected short stories, Burning Chrome. I've quite enjoyed several Stephenson novels -- I guess they might tend to be his "older" ones. I tried The Baroque Cycle and could not stay with it.
  - zem 14y ago
    my favourite recent author is unquestionably lois bujold (unless you want to count pratchett as recent). also, don't forget charles stross and stephen baxter.
- ilamont 14y ago
  Case in point: Frederick Pohl's Gateway series. The first book was amazing, the second was pretty solid, and then the series dropped off a cliff. I wonder how much the economics of publishing and personal financial need figures into declining quality of (some) authors, musicians and other artists.
- emmelaich 14y ago
  I love Ender's Game but my opinion of it has dropped over the years. His A Planet called Treason however affected me pretty deeply, and I still read it from time to time.
ars 14y ago
Brandon Sanderson as well.
- weavejester 14y ago
  I was going to point out that Sanderson doesn't really do science fiction, but on reflection his books tend to revolve around magic systems that obey very scientific rules. One could probably argue that's more science fiction than fantasy.

Sadly, I found over time his newer books became steadily worse. It's odd to me that someone like Jim Butcher can get steadily better where other authors 'give up', start believing their own hype, use ghost writers, or something.

RyanMcGreal 14y ago
I've wondered if the declining arc of Card's writing is connected to his apparently increasing narrowness, rigidity and dogmatism in general.
jordo37 14y ago
Completely agreed. I don't mind skimming through OSC's books now but they are just fun reads (plus I'm always looking for some of his more vile opinions to seep through, though that never really happens).
pasbesoin 14y ago
Of the more recent generations, I've particularly enjoyed Vinge and Brin, although Brin varies somewhat. There are probably a few others I could mention, but they have a nasty habit of not coming to mind when I make a conscious effort. For Vinge, I would recommend particularly A Deepness in the Sky and (prequel) A Fire Upon the Deep. For Brin, the second and third books of his Uplift Trilogy, adding also the first for context. The second and third are Startide Rising and The Uplift War. Also, his book Earth, which stands alone. P.S. Gibson and Stephenson. Gibson's Neuromancer and the two subsequent; after that, I couldn't continue (so, another "Card-esque" experience?). Also Gibson's collected short stories, Burning Chrome. I've quite enjoyed several Stephenson novels -- I guess they might tend to be his "older" ones. I tried The Baroque Cycle and could not stay with it.
- zem 14y ago
  my favourite recent author is unquestionably lois bujold (unless you want to count pratchett as recent). also, don't forget charles stross and stephen baxter.
ilamont 14y ago
Case in point: Frederick Pohl's Gateway series. The first book was amazing, the second was pretty solid, and then the series dropped off a cliff. I wonder how much the economics of publishing and personal financial need figures into declining quality of (some) authors, musicians and other artists.
emmelaich 14y ago
I love Ender's Game but my opinion of it has dropped over the years. His A Planet called Treason however affected me pretty deeply, and I still read it from time to time.

ars 14y ago

Brandon Sanderson as well.

weavejester 14y ago
I was going to point out that Sanderson doesn't really do science fiction, but on reflection his books tend to revolve around magic systems that obey very scientific rules. One could probably argue that's more science fiction than fantasy.