The Worst/The Best
We've all done it, spent good money in the local book shop
for something that looks good, take it home, read it, then wonder why.
These are some of the howlers I've read, some are so bad I've forgotten the
author! I'm sure that others disagree with me, somebody must as at least two
have literary awards.
If you know of others that ought to be added to these lists, then please feel free to drop me a line:-
Title |
Synopsis |
Comments |
|
Adrift in the Stratosphere
|
Three friends get caught in a special balloon that
takes them into space. They face dangers out of this world and rescue
the earth from attack.
|
Not actually the worst book I have read, but nearly.
The worst did the same thing in a Jumbo Jet and was that much less believable.
|
|
Star Trek Novels Pocket Books |
The ongoing stories of the various StarTrek generations.
Original, Next Generation, DS9 and Voyager
|
I'm going to be lynched for this one. I know it is
a broad brush to condem the whole catalogue after only reading a dozen.
But I even ran a poll by inflicting some on friends that do read Sci-Fi.
The result was unanimous- They make the actual series look like Shakepeare.
They simultaeneously manage to lack originality, character or any literary value. Just for once it is not entirely the fault of the authors, some are quite capable. It is the restrictions placed by the authors so that they can maintain some form of acceptance from Paramount. |
|
Day of the Triffids John Wyndham |
The Earth is taken over by a species of mobile killer
plants, after almost all humans are blinded by an unexplained accident
in space (space born weapons?)
|
I admit it, the story is actually quite good, and posseses an excellent sense of perspective. It is just that John Wyndham never seems to actually finish a book. It is a shame that this one should be part of the English Exam Syllabus in the UK, there are better. |
|
Kraken Wakes John Wyndham |
Creatures from space take control of the Oceans. Then
try to flood out the human population (twenty years before Global Warming)
|
Another good story spoilt by a lack of an ending.
He did try, but he had obviously got bored, or ran out of time and wrapped
it all up with two sentences at the end.
|
|
The Seafort Saga (Midshipmans Hope, Challengers Hope, Prisoners Hope, Fishermans Hope) David Feintuch |
Follows the career of Nicholas Seafort in the UNNS.
Centres around the discovery of 'Space' Goldfish, that have it in for
mankind and its Fusion drive. But more particularly on his mental development
(destruction)
|
I had to read three of the series before I decided
I really hated Seafort. The frequent mental breakdowns should have left
him a puddle on the floor.
If you like action it exists, between the self doubt. If you like to know about the character, you are left wondering how he continues to breathe! |
|
Helliconia Trilogy Brian Aldiss |
The global history of the planet Helliconia
|
I have never finished any of the books. I have tried
many times, but they simply stopped appealing to me after the first
dozen pages.
|
I am fortunate that most books I have read I have enjoyed. But trying to chose the best of them to list is very difficult
Title |
Synopsis |
Comments |
|
Kings of Space Capt W E Johns |
A group of humans explore space loaned by friendly
Martians
|
The author is the same as he of Biggles fame. For
childrens Science Fiction they are excellent. Sufficient action and
controvosey but gentle with it.
|
|
War of the Worlds HG Wells |
The Earth is invaded by Martians. They overwhelm human
resistance and turn it into another Red Planet
|
What can be said. Wells is the second father of Science
Fiction, after Jules Verne.
The beauty for me is that there is plenty of narrative and description. The characters are obviously ordinary humans, without excessive traits good or bad. |
|
Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. Journey to the Centre of the Earth Jules Verne |
In both cases a professor and his not over enthusiastic
sidekick assistant set off to explore some remote part of the Earth.
In Twenty Thousand Leagues they are after a giant Sea Monster, which
proves to be a submarine (new thing in the Nineteenth Century). The
latter a journey into the Earth where they find a disappearing world,
(follows the thinking of the time)
|
More Sci/Fi but entirely Earth based. Arguably some of the most inventive fact based Science Fiction ever written. |
|
Oliver Twist Charles Dickens |
The life of an orphan in Victorian London as he finds
his way from the Workhouse to a comfortable life through experiences
in the Victorian underworld.
|
Just to prove it's not just Sci/Fi I read and appreciate;)
The book is poigniant and beautifully detailed. |
|
Disc World Terry Pratchett |
The story of a flat world, carried on the back of
four elephants standing upon a giant turtle.
|
Light, humourous, cynical and tremendous fun. |
|
The Lord of the Rings JRR Tolkien |
The history of Middle Earth as the races of Earth
(Dwarves, Elves, Hobbit and Man) desperately fight to overcome the evil
of Saruman and his forces.
|
Only returned to these books when the film appeared. |