Classics of
Science Fiction

We’ll discuss four classic S-F books at Lunacon 2009. Each book is famous, often reprinted, worth re-reading, worth reading a first time now. Each discussion will take up one book. You’re welcome to join in.

Isaac Asimov

Foundation (1951)

These adventures are set in the decline of a Galactic Empire, ten thousand years or more in the future. Asimov knew Gibbon’s Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, and cracked that he had “done a little cribbin’ from the work of Mr. Gibbon.” But anyone can get an idea; how did he carry it out?

Algis Budrys

Rogue Moon (1960)

Probably Budrys’ most famous novel, existential, gripping, both more and less bleak than it seems, it has love and learning, death and determination, and as Vladimir Nabokov said, “the precision of poetry and the passion of science.”

Arthur C. Clarke

The City and the Stars (1956)

The City of Diaspar has lasted at least a billion years. By advanced technology everyone there has lived many times — except Alvin. He is beyond his teacher, beyond Khedron the Jester, perhaps beyond the Central Computer but it does not tell all. What if he keeps looking?

Mark Twain

A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court (1889)

Framed in a time-travel fantasy is a remarkable story of a benevolent alien bringing advanced technology. Is it distinguishable from magic? What is the tragic flaw of Hank Morgan? This book is much more widely popular than the others in our set of four. Why?

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