Thanks for doing this. I think more advice and recommendations for young male readers is a great idea. I feel awful for young people (male and female) who have been put off reading for one reason or another, or who only read the most popular new books but don't know where to begin with older novels. They are missing out on so much, and there are very few reliable guides out there.
With these choices- Reeve and Wyndham- I aim for quality and accessibility. I would like to see many more young people taking the path I did, but I was a child in the 1960s and 1970s and the media landscape has changed, making it more difficult for young readers due to the huge distractions of non-book tech, I feel. The timelessness of 'The Chrysalids' evades the "dated" problem and the focus on young characters on a journey through life- the bildungsroman- works beautifully for neophytes, I think.
Just wanted to say that finding your channel has been a revelation. I'm in my 30s and have been getting back into reading and the books I've picked up on your recommendations have been perfect. Will pick up your pocket book. Thank you Stephen.
Thanks Steve. I just left two facebook groups that were supposedly about SF Books / discussion. God what a cesspool of arrogance, petulance, resentment and shame. . . I tried hanging out there for more picks and I left due to the negativity. I appreciate you talking to us as adults and in a way so more of us will read.
Thanks my friend: there are a lot of big fish in small ponds out there, sadly. Anyone who really knows books soon realises that no-one can know it all and some humility alongside knowledge is no bad thing.
I've been racking my brain for some great introductory SF books/authors for my precocious 14 year old grandson and this has fit the bill perfectly. Great post, OB, very much appreciated. Cheers!
Thank You Stephen This was wonderful. I hope it becomes one you are known for. Carefully worded and inclusive in a most genuinely gentle and sincere way. I don't know that you'd like to make it, but a follow up with, say, a run down of top 5 "famous" authors/recommendations & the pros/cons of each for a modern audience (specifically new/younger audience) would not only be useful but a great bit of evergreen.
Excellent choice Stephen. I first read Day of the Triffids while still at junior school and loved it. I didn't read Chrysalids until I got to university. I probably got it the wrong way round as usual. I do know people who read it when they were younger and they loved it then and now.
Hey Paul, good to hear from you. I read 'Triffids' first too, struggled with parts of it- the more adult moments, I just wanted to get back to the ambulatory genetically engineered plants- but sailed through 'The Chrysalids'. After 'Midwich', I think it's his best novel.
I agree with you that The Chrysalids is a very accessible book, it's my favourite Wyndham. However, I've recommended SF to many people of all ages and have achieved a reasonable conversion rate. A conversation usually begins something loke this: "I don't like sci-fi." "Oh, what have you read that's turned you against it?" "I haven't read any, but I don't like the idea of spaceships and robots so I know I won't like it." This goes on for a few minutes. Finally I say: "I'll give you a book of short stories, they're all by different writers and cover all kinds of different themes. Read the book, note the stories and authors you like, and we'll talk about this again." A few werks might pass, and then: "I really enjoyed some of the stories in that book you gave me, but they're not what I'd call sci-fi because they're not about spaceships and robots." "When I gave you that book, I wanted to show you that SF isn't all about spaceships and robots. Are there any of those writers you'd like to read more by?" "Well, I wouldn't mind reading something else by _________ or ____________." Then I start recommending novels or short story collections A lot of this is, of course, causex by media taint. Which is why I believe a good and varied anthology, which demonstrated the range and themes of SF, is a food starting point. Brian Aldiss had the same idea with his 1960s anthology Introducing SF. In an anthology most readers will find something to like, whereas starting with a novel may put them off the genre for good after reading 25% of it. Just my thoughts and experience!
Yeah, I often think of the anthology route, trouble is these days- as you know- there are not many really strong anthologies in print...but the conversations I've been having for decades- like you- are pretty similar to this....
Thanks Kenny- been thinking about you, mate, hope you're OK, I'm struggling with my mid term illness but soldiering on. Look in the about area and send me an email, would be good to hear from you at more length, take care now!
Great video. I'm 22, so on the upper end of the 'new adult' category, but you sold me pretty well on The Chrysalids. Now the only problem is actually finding it in a bookstore.
I'm assuming from your usage 'bookstore' that you're in North America (the UK usage is 'bookshop')? Modern Library reissued Wyndham's best known books in North America in the last year or so- though I'd ignore the introductions to these- and 'The Chrysalids' is always in print in the UK from Penguin. Used copies are easy to find online anywhere in the English speaking world.
Really helpful Steve And perfect timing Great you liked Mortal engines we read them to our children when they were younger. They loved them. The books were so much better than the film, but the film was fun. I feel very privileged to be benefitting from your extensive professional experience will def donate to the channel as soon as I can, as I have benefitted greatly from it. I have never read forever War so TBR! Filling in a few PKD gaps atm. Read a lot of him but by no means all. Have a great Christmas 🎄🎄🎁
Many thanks! 'The Forever War' is cracking entertainment, well written and has great moral messages. PKD? He's an 'you have to read everything, even the lesser works' writer. Have a pleasant Christmas yourself!
Excellent video, Stephen. Excellent outreach. Having watched many of your videos I know that your recommendations are by someone who knows what he's talking about. I hope that some of the younger viewers of your videos take your recommendations to heart and read some of these stories.
I hope so. I feel young people are continually being pointed toward the clunky writing of early Asimov and turgid, overblown dullness of 'Dune' and this will only hamper their potential as fluent SF readers who will then easily transition to -say- Penguin Modern Classics. Thanks for the compliment, much appreciated.
Great choices May I add the SF works of another writer, who is well suited to winning over the younger reader : Ray Bradbury, author of The Martian Chronicles, & The illustrated Man......
I often recommend Bradbury too, but it has to be said he is a little gentle for some tastes re young people- he's not exactly as timeless as Wyndham: because of the fame of '451' in particular, he sells to young people anyway, but I think they'd be better to start with 'Martian Chronicles' as you suggest, I always try and steer them toward that one.
Great advice, especially for new SF readers, regarding not being put off by not liking or understanding a book. I think developing a knack for knowing what kind of books one likes to read is great, but then challenging that and reading outside of your comfort zone is also worthwhile. For me, Egan's Diaspora comes to mind. Now that was a slow, challenging, but in the end worthwhile read.
I think it's very easy to recommend books you like- we all do it, after all- but I've found in my job that the art of recommendation demands knowledge of taste and reading experiences and very often, you can't coax that data out of people, especially the young. Like I said in the video, it's the timeless quality of the book- the fact that it's set in a future that doesn't 'age' due to the lack of hi-tech, alongside David's journey from childhood to manhood that makes it an ideal starter. I was talking to a friend the other day who is very well read in SF and he recommended a couple of books to young readers that were in my view, totally the wrong things to go with: they wanted something 'mind bending', but they probably were not ready for what he suggested. Recommending requires so much back and forth dialogue, it's not an easy beast!
Customer - ‘Could you recommend a graphic novel to me?’ Me - ‘Of course! I can recommend you loads! But if you tell me what you’ve read and enjoyed I can point you in the direction of something you may like.’ Simple retail skills that are becoming lost!
You said it, Doctor. Though I had one young chap today who offered to buy me a coffee for my recommendation skills, though I turned him down as it's all part of the service, as you know. Nothing like a gracious offer to give the warm glow, though!
Spot on . Alas its " eons " to late for an old tar like myself . I remember given Wells, Verne, and Shelly....and they were in those hard cover. . abridge versions .( who came up with that idea ? ). Thanks the cosmos i found Clarke Space Odyssey. And this kid was hooked for life . Rama was a bit of a drag , but i finished it . Later came Heinlein et al . RH is the only one i never took much of a liking to/for ( my bias , immature mood ) . Strange thing is... some of my best S F readings was as a younger Young man .Anyhow Steve, i have ranted much too long . In case i don't comment soon, have a blessed and productive season . And merry christmas to you and all that is yours.
Merry Christmas to you too, Sylvan - abridgements: yes, strange things, my first Vernes and Swift were abridged, an uncommon thing these days. Peace and Goodwill, old chum.
This was an excellent video. As I am about your age, I have to time travel a wee bit to remember the SF I first read. The very first is easy, because it was the first book I ever read that was not entirely a children's book: and that was "Islands in the Sky," by Arthur C Clark. That was followed with less imagined works: novelizations of "Star Wars" and "Alien" and the like. My eyes were then opened by a teacher who introduced me to (you will never guess what it was...) John Wyndham's "The Chrysalids." That book was thrilling. I could not put it down. (Imagine that, me being David from Canada.) That novel introduced me not only to his body of works but also to Ray Bradbury and Asimov, but also returned me to ACC's better works (Rama, etc.). I left sensationalist, thriller SF behind, thereafter. I freely admit to loving early Star Trek novels by people like James Blish when I was a teen and young adult. What can I say, shows like Star Trek and Space 1999 and The Time Tunnel were my gateway to reading SF. I even loved The Starlost when growing up. Harlan Ellison may have been so horrified by it that he demanded his name stricken from the pilot, but I was a less discriminating fan then. I still have a fondness for its vision. Thanks for this effort! You look good, BTW; you must be recovered from your recent illness. And Merry Christmas!
Thanks for your comment. I think we all did some media-adventure SF as kids, as of course since the genre was named, it has always been there in cinema, TV and radio, it's unavoidable. I have a copy of 'Islands in the Sky' too, forgot to dig it out for this video.....I can only imagine how exciting a David from Canada would find 'the Chrysalids' - it was pretty thrilling for me, being a rural kid, I could relate to it too. My illness is pretty much mid term and will last for some months yet based on the drug regime I'm on and the addition of dental work has been a trial too, but I soldier on! Season's Greetings to you too, I love hearing from Canadians- I'm a big fan of Matt Dafoe at Science Fiction Reads and Richard at Vintage SF, two of my fave SF booktubers. I hope to get over to Canada to meet them someday...
Wonderful video full of things that need to be said. That edition of "Mortal Engines" with the faux 19th C cover looked SO enticing! I was thinking you would mention "Inverted World." well put together. When I was growing up, most recommendations for SF left me flat. Sometimes it was language, but most often it was (seemingly) INFINITE boring set up before you got to anything "novel." Like dues must be paid and apologies must be made to the "Adult world" to show that the work is serious before getting on with it. Like telling a child they've got to sit up straight and politely entertain at dinner with tales of "What I did at school today" before they can tell us their dream. (Fantasy? What Childish Nonsense!) Frankly I was bored to tears as a boy being handed Verne and Clarke -even Bradbury. I devoured Sinbad and "The Phantom Cyclist" and "In The Keep of Time" before discovering more adult SF that got right on with the space ships, time travel, and general post 60's madness. OK, that's unfair, I'm talking Childhood & YOU're talking the transition to YA. Chrysalids *does* sound like a perfect choice. The sweet spot around choosing your own books and X-Men comics. Rock On.
Hey Walter! I think it's like I said- people are very keen to recommend what they like without thinking about the subjectivity of the reader. Now I admit I love 'The Chrysalids', but the objective side comes in on the 'timeless' effect (no 'why are there no mobiles or internet?' the absence of which makes it hard for some kids to relate to a lot of older SF) and the other in the transition from child to adult and strong female characters, both elements in an exciting well-drawn bit of worldbuilding. As for 'Mortal Engines', Reeve clearly learned well at the feet of his British SF precursors- I used to have a hardcover first with that jacket of ME but sold it as I received an offer too good to refuse. The old 'inifinite setup' shouldn't ever really happen in an SF novel- the novum should kick in within the first paragraph, preferably the first line- like in 'Nineteen Eighty-Four'....
Read this when young in a paperback edition called "Rebirth", so when I saw "The Chrysalids" in a book list I was looking forward to reading a new Wyndham!
'Re-birth' was the US variant title, used as 'The Chrysalids' was deemed too literary and obscure in meaning for a North American audience (US publisher's choice, I'll add!). Bit of an insult to everyone in North America, these variant titles. I've spoken about this in my very recent Michael Coney video.
Another SF author I liked as a teenager was John Christopher. In terms of subject matter, people often compared him to John Wyndham. Last year I reread "The Tripods Trilogy" and the post-apocalyptic "Prince In Waiting" trilogy. John Christopher's singleton "Empty World" was a gripping read when I was 12. It's another one of those post-apocalyptic books I return to every now and again. The spooky cover illustration reminds me of a Rene Magritte painting.
Christopher was very big until the end of the 70s and then his work had all gone OP apart from the Tripods books for decades. He was Wyndham's biggest challenger in a way, 'Death of Grass' is back in print in the UK now.
@@outlawbookselleroriginal I recently saw that "The World In Winter" had also been reprinted. In the "Prince In Waiting" books mutants are treated little better than the mutants in "The Chrysalids". I did reread "The Chrysalids" earlier this year. I can identify with at least one of the characters. (I'm originally from "Sealand" myself.)
Great video - I must try mortal engines and Peter Dickinson. I would have added John Christopher’s tripods books and the Guardians - also I read Harry Harrison’s The men from PIG and ROBOT after the puffin club recommended it in the 70s and love it - hilarious.
The Chrysalids - great choice. I'm 52 and I cut my science fiction teeth on the Doctor Who Target books and Star Wars novelisations. However, by the age of 9-10 I moved onto H.G. Wells, Clarke, Asimov and Wyndham. For Clarke and Asimov I mostly read their short stories at the that time. The one trilogy that really sticks in my mind as being a great book for younger reads is the Tripds series by John Christopher. I'd love to re-read, but sadly I've no idea what happened to the books I had as a kid.
The trouble these days is that by the time most kids move on to Wells, Clarke, Asimov and Wyndham, they'e not like you and I were, 10, they are in their late teens. With a few exceptions, the level of literary sophistication in the last few generations is horribly arrested by the twin evils of YA and screens everywhere....I think the Tripods books are still in print and used copies should be easy to find online.
@@outlawbookselleroriginal I know what you mean. I'm generally not much of a re-reader, but I make an exception for the Wells, Clarke, Asimov, Wyndham etc. I'm enjoying getting even more from these books as an adult. I think I read my most formative novels at 13, which for me would include Dune, Rendezvous with Rama and the (first 3) Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy books. I also remember when you could get really good science fiction compilations from Marks and Spencers - still got some of those hardbacks.
Thanks for the recommendation. I read that the US editions of The Day of the Triffids is 10% shorter than the original (about 10,000 words missing), and this is still the case with the latest US edition from Modern Library with the introduction by Jeff VanderMeer. Do you know if his other books are also truncated in similar ways?
I'm not familiar with US editions of Wyndham's works generally speaking, but the early ones published under the JW name (he wrote books before this under other variants of his enormously long real name of course- John Wyndham Parkes Lucas Beynon Harris) were all retitled in the USA: 'Revolt of the Triffids', 'Rebirth' ('The Chrysalids'), something about the 'deeps' for 'The Kraken Wakes' and so on. I've been meaning to acquire those Modern Library editions- I saw them in Paris this year, but didn't want to carry them - and will do to take a look. I suspect the editing was to remove particularly British things and also probably just for length. This happened to quite a few British SF novels- Keith Roberts' admittedly challenging masterpiece 'The Chalk Giants' is horribly cut in the US edition. This sort of thing also contributed to younger American authors of literary genre SF moving to London in the mid 1960s- Disch, Sladek, Spinrad.
Not relevant to the current video (which is excellent, as always! 👍) but is relevant to the channel in general: Just heading home on the train after having scored some _sweet_ A format paperbacks 'in the wild' in the West End of Glasgow. Including this wee beauty - - 1978... Orbit/Futura... VG+ condition... short story collection by *William Harrison* ROLLER BALL MURDER 😁👍🤗😍🎉
Good score! In the future, there will be few good scores, but if we're lucky there will be William Harrison. An uncommon one! Let me know what you think of the title story, Paul, great to hear from you as ever!
@@outlawbookselleroriginal As I previously didn't have a copy of the title story I recently listened to a very good unabridged recording of it on UA-cam - terrific! As you said in your video dedicated to the story and the film, there is not a word wasted! 👍 Talking of the film, I also picked this up a few months ago second from CEX, the Arrow Video edition with the booklet and disc special features. I had not seen the movie in DECADES, since the '80s in fact when I was a teenager. Absolutely fantastic movie! 😍 It was great to finally watch it again after so very long!
I really grew up with Star Wars, so sci-fi has always been there, but I think the first book I recall reading was the smallish “Trapped in Space” by Jack Williamson.
I've mentioned her in some of my Fantasy videos. Many of her books are of course juveniles. She was definitely a good entry point for many. Thanks for the compliment.
It's paced incredibly well and mind bending in a way that I think a beginner to SF would get hooked into the genre. You've recommended many novels to me that I've enjoyed. I hope to return the favor.
Hi Stephen did you read Science fiction as part of your School English language class. I read " The Day of the triffids " as part of my English class.?
SF taught in schools in the 1970s? Not a thing in my neck of the woods! It was all Austen, Shakespeare, George Elliot, Chaucer and Shaw in my day. I think Wyndham and Orwell were taught in some English schools then, but in Wales they weren't 'Classic' enough - the WJEC (Welsh Joint Examining Committee) was the toughest and most demanding exam board in the UK in my time and it was said that a Welsh O Level (now GCSE) was the equivalent of an English A Level in some subjects. I got all my SF from bookshops and school library. My grounding in being compelled to read drama, poetry and 19th Century Fiction- as much as I disliked a lot of it at the time- was actually helpful. That's why I found Herbert, early Asimov and Heinlein pretty unreadable and why Philip K Dick and Harlan Ellison grabbed my attention early...
@@outlawbookselleroriginal I have been seeking out your other recommendations Stephen. Just bought " The Things they carried " by Tim Obrien. Got a nice TBR list for the new year 👍😄
As parent desperatly trying to get my kids into reading, this is a great video!
Many thanks. It's a tough challenge due to the massive distractions of screen culture. Best of luck!
Please share with other parents, this channel needs the views! Thanks!
Thanks for doing this. I think more advice and recommendations for young male readers is a great idea. I feel awful for young people (male and female) who have been put off reading for one reason or another, or who only read the most popular new books but don't know where to begin with older novels. They are missing out on so much, and there are very few reliable guides out there.
With these choices- Reeve and Wyndham- I aim for quality and accessibility. I would like to see many more young people taking the path I did, but I was a child in the 1960s and 1970s and the media landscape has changed, making it more difficult for young readers due to the huge distractions of non-book tech, I feel. The timelessness of 'The Chrysalids' evades the "dated" problem and the focus on young characters on a journey through life- the bildungsroman- works beautifully for neophytes, I think.
Just wanted to say that finding your channel has been a revelation. I'm in my 30s and have been getting back into reading and the books I've picked up on your recommendations have been perfect. Will pick up your pocket book. Thank you Stephen.
Many thanks Tom - please do buy my SF guide and you may find my '100 Must Read Books For Men' a stimulating source of interesting reads too.
What a great show! The 2nd hand bookshop in my area needs to see this.
Thanks Steve. I just left two facebook groups that were supposedly about SF Books / discussion. God what a cesspool of arrogance, petulance, resentment and shame. . . I tried hanging out there for more picks and I left due to the negativity. I appreciate you talking to us as adults and in a way so more of us will read.
Thanks my friend: there are a lot of big fish in small ponds out there, sadly. Anyone who really knows books soon realises that no-one can know it all and some humility alongside knowledge is no bad thing.
I've been racking my brain for some great introductory SF books/authors for my precocious 14 year old grandson and this has fit the bill perfectly. Great post, OB, very much appreciated. Cheers!
Cheers Rick!
Thank You Stephen This was wonderful. I hope it becomes one you are known for.
Carefully worded and inclusive in a most genuinely gentle and sincere way.
I don't know that you'd like to make it, but a follow up with, say, a run down of top 5 "famous" authors/recommendations & the pros/cons of each for a modern audience (specifically new/younger audience) would not only be useful but a great bit of evergreen.
Yep, I'll tackle that one day, my friend. Great to hear from you as ever.
The final book of the Reeves Hungry Cities quartet is one of the small handful of books that have left me in tears at the end.
Excellent choice Stephen. I first read Day of the Triffids while still at junior school and loved it. I didn't read Chrysalids until I got to university. I probably got it the wrong way round as usual. I do know people who read it when they were younger and they loved it then and now.
Hey Paul, good to hear from you. I read 'Triffids' first too, struggled with parts of it- the more adult moments, I just wanted to get back to the ambulatory genetically engineered plants- but sailed through 'The Chrysalids'. After 'Midwich', I think it's his best novel.
I agree with you that The Chrysalids is a very accessible book, it's my favourite Wyndham. However, I've recommended SF to many people of all ages and have achieved a reasonable conversion rate. A conversation usually begins something loke this:
"I don't like sci-fi."
"Oh, what have you read that's turned you against it?"
"I haven't read any, but I don't like the idea of spaceships and robots so I know I won't like it."
This goes on for a few minutes. Finally I say:
"I'll give you a book of short stories, they're all by different writers and cover all kinds of different themes. Read the book, note the stories and authors you like, and we'll talk about this again."
A few werks might pass, and then:
"I really enjoyed some of the stories in that book you gave me, but they're not what I'd call sci-fi because they're not about spaceships and robots."
"When I gave you that book, I wanted to show you that SF isn't all about spaceships and robots. Are there any of those writers you'd like to read more by?"
"Well, I wouldn't mind reading something else by _________ or ____________."
Then I start recommending novels or short story collections
A lot of this is, of course, causex by media taint. Which is why I believe a good and varied anthology, which demonstrated the range and themes of SF, is a food starting point. Brian Aldiss had the same idea with his 1960s anthology Introducing SF. In an anthology most readers will find something to like, whereas starting with a novel may put them off the genre for good after reading 25% of it.
Just my thoughts and experience!
Yeah, I often think of the anthology route, trouble is these days- as you know- there are not many really strong anthologies in print...but the conversations I've been having for decades- like you- are pretty similar to this....
Hi Stephen. Here's wishing you a good holiday. Hope you are fit and well and, of course, best wishes for a happy and prosperous new year.
Thanks Kenny- been thinking about you, mate, hope you're OK, I'm struggling with my mid term illness but soldiering on. Look in the about area and send me an email, would be good to hear from you at more length, take care now!
I love this Outlaw. I’ll be forwarding the video to my teenage relative.
Please do.
Great video. I'm 22, so on the upper end of the 'new adult' category, but you sold me pretty well on The Chrysalids. Now the only problem is actually finding it in a bookstore.
I'm assuming from your usage 'bookstore' that you're in North America (the UK usage is 'bookshop')? Modern Library reissued Wyndham's best known books in North America in the last year or so- though I'd ignore the introductions to these- and 'The Chrysalids' is always in print in the UK from Penguin. Used copies are easy to find online anywhere in the English speaking world.
@@outlawbookselleroriginal Sharp eye there - yes, I’m from the US! Thanks for the tips. I’ll keep an eye out!
Really helpful Steve
And perfect timing
Great you liked Mortal engines we read them to our children when they were younger. They loved them. The books were so much better than the film, but the film was fun.
I feel very privileged to be benefitting from your extensive professional experience will def donate to the channel as soon as I can, as I have benefitted greatly from it.
I have never read forever War so TBR!
Filling in a few PKD gaps atm. Read a lot of him but by no means all.
Have a great Christmas 🎄🎄🎁
Many thanks! 'The Forever War' is cracking entertainment, well written and has great moral messages. PKD? He's an 'you have to read everything, even the lesser works' writer. Have a pleasant Christmas yourself!
Excellent. I look forward to these. Thank you. Merry Christmas!
Let me know how you get on with them. Seasons Greetings coming your way too.
Excellent video, Stephen. Excellent outreach. Having watched many of your videos I know that your recommendations are by someone who knows what he's talking about. I hope that some of the younger viewers of your videos take your recommendations to heart and read some of these stories.
I hope so. I feel young people are continually being pointed toward the clunky writing of early Asimov and turgid, overblown dullness of 'Dune' and this will only hamper their potential as fluent SF readers who will then easily transition to -say- Penguin Modern Classics. Thanks for the compliment, much appreciated.
Great choices
May I add the SF works of another writer, who is well suited to winning over the younger reader : Ray Bradbury, author of The Martian Chronicles, & The illustrated Man......
I often recommend Bradbury too, but it has to be said he is a little gentle for some tastes re young people- he's not exactly as timeless as Wyndham: because of the fame of '451' in particular, he sells to young people anyway, but I think they'd be better to start with 'Martian Chronicles' as you suggest, I always try and steer them toward that one.
Great advice, especially for new SF readers, regarding not being put off by not liking or understanding a book. I think developing a knack for knowing what kind of books one likes to read is great, but then challenging that and reading outside of your comfort zone is also worthwhile. For me, Egan's Diaspora comes to mind. Now that was a slow, challenging, but in the end worthwhile read.
I think it's very easy to recommend books you like- we all do it, after all- but I've found in my job that the art of recommendation demands knowledge of taste and reading experiences and very often, you can't coax that data out of people, especially the young. Like I said in the video, it's the timeless quality of the book- the fact that it's set in a future that doesn't 'age' due to the lack of hi-tech, alongside David's journey from childhood to manhood that makes it an ideal starter.
I was talking to a friend the other day who is very well read in SF and he recommended a couple of books to young readers that were in my view, totally the wrong things to go with: they wanted something 'mind bending', but they probably were not ready for what he suggested. Recommending requires so much back and forth dialogue, it's not an easy beast!
Great choice!
I was thinking of that exact book, before you revealed your pick!
It is a no brainer really if you know your SF!
Customer - ‘Could you recommend a graphic novel to me?’
Me - ‘Of course! I can recommend you loads! But if you tell me what you’ve read and enjoyed I can point you in the direction of something you may like.’
Simple retail skills that are becoming lost!
You said it, Doctor. Though I had one young chap today who offered to buy me a coffee for my recommendation skills, though I turned him down as it's all part of the service, as you know. Nothing like a gracious offer to give the warm glow, though!
@@outlawbookselleroriginal A good customer can really make one’s day, a bad one can destroy it!
The work a reader puts in both illuminates their preferences and offers new vistas beyond those preferences.
Well, next year I'll clarify a bit....
Spot on . Alas its " eons " to late for an old tar like myself . I remember given Wells, Verne, and Shelly....and they were in those hard cover. . abridge versions .( who came up with that idea ? ). Thanks the cosmos i found Clarke Space Odyssey. And this kid was hooked for life . Rama was a bit of a drag , but i finished it . Later came Heinlein et al . RH is the only one i never took much of a liking to/for ( my bias , immature mood ) . Strange thing is... some of my best S F readings was as a younger Young man .Anyhow Steve, i have ranted much too long . In case i don't comment soon, have a blessed and productive season . And merry christmas to you and all that is yours.
Merry Christmas to you too, Sylvan - abridgements: yes, strange things, my first Vernes and Swift were abridged, an uncommon thing these days. Peace and Goodwill, old chum.
This was an excellent video.
As I am about your age, I have to time travel a wee bit to remember the SF I first read.
The very first is easy, because it was the first book I ever read that was not entirely a children's book: and that was "Islands in the Sky," by Arthur C Clark. That was followed with less imagined works: novelizations of "Star Wars" and "Alien" and the like.
My eyes were then opened by a teacher who introduced me to (you will never guess what it was...) John Wyndham's "The Chrysalids." That book was thrilling. I could not put it down. (Imagine that, me being David from Canada.) That novel introduced me not only to his body of works but also to Ray Bradbury and Asimov, but also returned me to ACC's better works (Rama, etc.). I left sensationalist, thriller SF behind, thereafter.
I freely admit to loving early Star Trek novels by people like James Blish when I was a teen and young adult. What can I say, shows like Star Trek and Space 1999 and The Time Tunnel were my gateway to reading SF. I even loved The Starlost when growing up. Harlan Ellison may have been so horrified by it that he demanded his name stricken from the pilot, but I was a less discriminating fan then. I still have a fondness for its vision.
Thanks for this effort!
You look good, BTW; you must be recovered from your recent illness.
And Merry Christmas!
Thanks for your comment. I think we all did some media-adventure SF as kids, as of course since the genre was named, it has always been there in cinema, TV and radio, it's unavoidable. I have a copy of 'Islands in the Sky' too, forgot to dig it out for this video.....I can only imagine how exciting a David from Canada would find 'the Chrysalids' - it was pretty thrilling for me, being a rural kid, I could relate to it too.
My illness is pretty much mid term and will last for some months yet based on the drug regime I'm on and the addition of dental work has been a trial too, but I soldier on! Season's Greetings to you too, I love hearing from Canadians- I'm a big fan of Matt Dafoe at Science Fiction Reads and Richard at Vintage SF, two of my fave SF booktubers. I hope to get over to Canada to meet them someday...
Wonderful video full of things that need to be said.
That edition of "Mortal Engines" with the faux 19th C cover looked SO enticing! I was thinking you would mention "Inverted World." well put together.
When I was growing up, most recommendations for SF left me flat. Sometimes it was language, but most often it was (seemingly) INFINITE boring set up before you got to anything "novel." Like dues must be paid and apologies must be made to the "Adult world" to show that the work is serious before getting on with it. Like telling a child they've got to sit up straight and politely entertain at dinner with tales of "What I did at school today" before they can tell us their dream. (Fantasy? What Childish Nonsense!)
Frankly I was bored to tears as a boy being handed Verne and Clarke -even Bradbury. I devoured Sinbad and "The Phantom Cyclist" and "In The Keep of Time" before discovering more adult SF that got right on with the space ships, time travel, and general post 60's madness.
OK, that's unfair, I'm talking Childhood & YOU're talking the transition to YA. Chrysalids *does* sound like a perfect choice. The sweet spot around choosing your own books and X-Men comics.
Rock On.
Hey Walter! I think it's like I said- people are very keen to recommend what they like without thinking about the subjectivity of the reader. Now I admit I love 'The Chrysalids', but the objective side comes in on the 'timeless' effect (no 'why are there no mobiles or internet?' the absence of which makes it hard for some kids to relate to a lot of older SF) and the other in the transition from child to adult and strong female characters, both elements in an exciting well-drawn bit of worldbuilding. As for 'Mortal Engines', Reeve clearly learned well at the feet of his British SF precursors- I used to have a hardcover first with that jacket of ME but sold it as I received an offer too good to refuse.
The old 'inifinite setup' shouldn't ever really happen in an SF novel- the novum should kick in within the first paragraph, preferably the first line- like in 'Nineteen Eighty-Four'....
Read this when young in a paperback edition called "Rebirth", so when I saw "The Chrysalids" in a book list I was looking forward to reading a new Wyndham!
'Re-birth' was the US variant title, used as 'The Chrysalids' was deemed too literary and obscure in meaning for a North American audience (US publisher's choice, I'll add!). Bit of an insult to everyone in North America, these variant titles. I've spoken about this in my very recent Michael Coney video.
Another SF author I liked as a teenager was John Christopher. In terms of subject matter, people often compared him to John Wyndham. Last year I reread "The Tripods Trilogy" and the post-apocalyptic "Prince In Waiting" trilogy. John Christopher's singleton "Empty World" was a gripping read when I was 12. It's another one of those post-apocalyptic books I return to every now and again. The spooky cover illustration reminds me of a Rene Magritte painting.
Christopher was very big until the end of the 70s and then his work had all gone OP apart from the Tripods books for decades. He was Wyndham's biggest challenger in a way, 'Death of Grass' is back in print in the UK now.
@@outlawbookselleroriginal I recently saw that "The World In Winter" had also been reprinted. In the "Prince In Waiting" books mutants are treated little better than the mutants in "The Chrysalids". I did reread "The Chrysalids" earlier this year. I can identify with at least one of the characters. (I'm originally from "Sealand" myself.)
Thanks Dad!
Just bought The Forever War by Joe Haldeman on your recommendation Stephen 👍
Let me know how you get on with it. It blows most people with a desire for 'the real stuff' away.
Great video - I must try mortal engines and Peter Dickinson. I would have added John Christopher’s tripods books and the Guardians - also I read Harry Harrison’s The men from PIG and ROBOT after the puffin club recommended it in the 70s and love it - hilarious.
Yes, I keep meaning to pick up the Harrisons, I used to sell them back in the 80s.
Aha, knew you were going to say The Chrysalids - great choice! I wish I’d read it when I was a lad.
The Chrysalids - great choice. I'm 52 and I cut my science fiction teeth on the Doctor Who Target books and Star Wars novelisations. However, by the age of 9-10 I moved onto H.G. Wells, Clarke, Asimov and Wyndham. For Clarke and Asimov I mostly read their short stories at the that time. The one trilogy that really sticks in my mind as being a great book for younger reads is the Tripds series by John Christopher. I'd love to re-read, but sadly I've no idea what happened to the books I had as a kid.
The trouble these days is that by the time most kids move on to Wells, Clarke, Asimov and Wyndham, they'e not like you and I were, 10, they are in their late teens. With a few exceptions, the level of literary sophistication in the last few generations is horribly arrested by the twin evils of YA and screens everywhere....I think the Tripods books are still in print and used copies should be easy to find online.
@@outlawbookselleroriginal I know what you mean. I'm generally not much of a re-reader, but I make an exception for the Wells, Clarke, Asimov, Wyndham etc. I'm enjoying getting even more from these books as an adult. I think I read my most formative novels at 13, which for me would include Dune, Rendezvous with Rama and the (first 3) Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy books. I also remember when you could get really good science fiction compilations from Marks and Spencers - still got some of those hardbacks.
Thanks for the recommendation. I read that the US editions of The Day of the Triffids is 10% shorter than the original (about 10,000 words missing), and this is still the case with the latest US edition from Modern Library with the introduction by Jeff VanderMeer. Do you know if his other books are also truncated in similar ways?
I'm not familiar with US editions of Wyndham's works generally speaking, but the early ones published under the JW name (he wrote books before this under other variants of his enormously long real name of course- John Wyndham Parkes Lucas Beynon Harris) were all retitled in the USA: 'Revolt of the Triffids', 'Rebirth' ('The Chrysalids'), something about the 'deeps' for 'The Kraken Wakes' and so on. I've been meaning to acquire those Modern Library editions- I saw them in Paris this year, but didn't want to carry them - and will do to take a look. I suspect the editing was to remove particularly British things and also probably just for length. This happened to quite a few British SF novels- Keith Roberts' admittedly challenging masterpiece 'The Chalk Giants' is horribly cut in the US edition. This sort of thing also contributed to younger American authors of literary genre SF moving to London in the mid 1960s- Disch, Sladek, Spinrad.
Excellent recommendation to my shame I've not read the chrysalids, I hope to rectify that in the near future.
Do give it a go, it's a cracker!
Not relevant to the current video (which is excellent, as always! 👍) but is relevant to the channel in general:
Just heading home on the train after having scored some _sweet_ A format paperbacks 'in the wild' in the West End of Glasgow. Including this wee beauty -
- 1978... Orbit/Futura... VG+ condition... short story collection by *William Harrison*
ROLLER BALL MURDER
😁👍🤗😍🎉
Good score! In the future, there will be few good scores, but if we're lucky there will be William Harrison. An uncommon one! Let me know what you think of the title story, Paul, great to hear from you as ever!
@@outlawbookselleroriginal As I previously didn't have a copy of the title story I recently listened to a very good unabridged recording of it on UA-cam - terrific! As you said in your video dedicated to the story and the film, there is not a word wasted! 👍 Talking of the film, I also picked this up a few months ago second from CEX, the Arrow Video edition with the booklet and disc special features. I had not seen the movie in DECADES, since the '80s in fact when I was a teenager. Absolutely fantastic movie! 😍 It was great to finally watch it again after so very long!
I really grew up with Star Wars, so sci-fi has always been there, but I think the first book I recall reading was the smallish “Trapped in Space” by Jack Williamson.
What about Andre Norton. That's how I got into science fiction.
I really enjoy your podcasts.
I've mentioned her in some of my Fantasy videos. Many of her books are of course juveniles. She was definitely a good entry point for many. Thanks for the compliment.
You need to try We Spread by Ian Reid. It's super underrated and reminds of a PKD book.
Interesting recommendation: I'm assuming you mean generally as opposed to in the context of this video? Thanks for the heads up.
It's paced incredibly well and mind bending in a way that I think a beginner to SF would get hooked into the genre. You've recommended many novels to me that I've enjoyed. I hope to return the favor.
@@zacharyreynolds5769 -will let you know, sounds interesting, thanks!
Hi Stephen did you read Science fiction as part of your School English language class. I read " The Day of the triffids " as part of my English class.?
SF taught in schools in the 1970s? Not a thing in my neck of the woods! It was all Austen, Shakespeare, George Elliot, Chaucer and Shaw in my day. I think Wyndham and Orwell were taught in some English schools then, but in Wales they weren't 'Classic' enough - the WJEC (Welsh Joint Examining Committee) was the toughest and most demanding exam board in the UK in my time and it was said that a Welsh O Level (now GCSE) was the equivalent of an English A Level in some subjects. I got all my SF from bookshops and school library. My grounding in being compelled to read drama, poetry and 19th Century Fiction- as much as I disliked a lot of it at the time- was actually helpful. That's why I found Herbert, early Asimov and Heinlein pretty unreadable and why Philip K Dick and Harlan Ellison grabbed my attention early...
@@outlawbookselleroriginal I have been seeking out your other recommendations Stephen. Just bought " The Things they carried " by Tim Obrien. Got a nice TBR list for the new year 👍😄
@@johnmooney9403 Let me know how you get on with the Tim O.
New Zealand 😊crysalids, Lord of the rings.
Yeah, but no NZ in the LOTR books....