Who Are the Best Science Fiction Authors of the 21st Century?

[pdlloyd]

A young writer, whom I'll call Jaylin, recently asked me an interesting question: "Who are the best new science fiction writers of the decade?" Jaylin mused about the issue of literary versus genre fiction and their different writing goals, and we discussed the fact that there are some authors whose work crosses the great divide between these two.

Comments

[core_opsis]

This is the first time I've logged onto Livejournal in over a year, and here it is--a question I'd like to hear what folks have to say about, and no one has responded. Really?

I'll give my answer. I don't really consider myself a SF reader, though two of my all-time favorite authors are considered to be SF writers, and I teach a SF class at the high school where I teach.

Ursula Le Guin--she IS still writing--is, for me, one of the most powerful writers of the century. Not only does she raise lots of really thought-provoking questions, but her characters are people that I love.

Orson Scott Card--though there are some of his books that I don't like at all (the one series that seemed to be a Cain and Abel series, with the overall idea that mankind is incapable of cooperation), I love most of his books. Like Ursula Le Guin, he raises many many interesting questions and also has characters that I love.

I'd be very interesed in what other folks might have to say.

[pdlloyd]

Hi core_opsis. I've also been away from LJ for an extended time, with only occasional forays back to the fold, and I think that there may be fewer people following me these days, which could explain the lack of response to my post. Thanks so very, very much for your interest and for your answer.

Both of the writers you've mentioned are exceptionally powerful writers, whose works raise interesting questions. I've enjoyed many of their stories and have great respect for them as authors.