Updates: An Incomplete List of Worthwhile Classic Science Fiction Blogs/Resources
March 1, 2013 § 24 Comments
I love the idea of a community of science fiction reviewers — so I’ve put together a list of a handful of book review blogs focused on classic/slightly more esoteric science fiction. Obviously there are plenty of great blogs I’ve omitted that have reviews of new releases or only occasional vintage science fiction…. Or, blogs that refrain from reviews of vintage science fiction unless participating in certain reading challenges….
Please visit them, comment on their reviews, and browse through their back catalogues.
1] Speculiction….: An under visited /commented on blog with quality book reviews of classic science fiction — however, the reviewer, Jesse, is limited by the lack of older science fiction available to him in Poland. I especially enjoyed his reviews of Ballard’s “beautifully strange enigma” that is The Crystal World (1966) and of course, my favorite science fiction novel of all time, John Brunner’s magisterial Stand on Zanzibar (1968). An index of his reviews can be found here. He also has a good mix of newer science fiction reviews as well.
2] The PorPor Books Blog: SF and Fantasy Books 1968-1988: I find this blog interesting predominately for his book reviews which appear about once a week — the tend to be more on the esoteric end, hence my fascination — who has even heard of Stanley Schmidt’s Newton and the Quasi-Apple (1975)? In between are numerous posts of scanned in sci-fi magazines (especially of the Heavy Metal type) etc of the 70s/80s which, personally, are not as interesting. Unfortunately, there isn’t a helpful index to browse the book reviews/authors.
3] SF Mistressworks: A BAFSA nominated collating blog of reviews of novels by female science fiction authors pre-2000 run by Ian Sales at It Doesn’t Have to Be Right. The reviews by Sales himself and Nic Clarke are especially worthwhile. I’ve found countless novels/authors as a result. Also, if you’ve reviewed sci-fi novels by female authors pre-2000 you should go ahead and submit them because some months are relatively sparse.
4] Potpourri of Science Fiction Literature: Run by my friend 2theD — whenever he comes to the US he stocks up on suitcases of used science fiction. I prefer his reviews of older science fiction (but, that’s obvious considering my interests) — for a taste, his review of Bob Shaw’s One Million Tomorrows (1971) and Brian W. Aldiss’ Greybeard (1964). We disagree frequently — he’s not a fan of Malzberg or Russ — but the reviews are always worth reading. Considering the work he puts into them he deserves more comments! And, who can’t help but promote a champion of John Brunner’s greatness? Here’s a handy INDEX to his reviews.
5] AQ’s Reviews: Nice long, thought-out, and intriguing reviews of a mix of new and old science fiction. For example, Vance’s Big Planet (1957), Hal Clement’s Needle (1950), etc…. And there’s an INDEX.
6] Jennre: A Semi-guided Tour for the SF-curious: A criminally underread blog of classic (predominately 40s-60s) science fiction short stories…. Generally more a thematic resource than review proper although the author’s opinion on a short story/author is often very apparent. Here’s a nice list of useful sf-resources. And an example of the type of entry — Brian Aldiss’ short story ‘Judas Danced’ (1958).
7] Battered, Tattered, Yellowed, & Creased: Almost all the sci-fi reviews are of vintage science fiction! There are interspersed reviews of pulp mysteries and occasional art posts etc… Recent reviews include James Blish’s Midsummer Century (1972) and Wilson Tucker’s The Long Loud Silence (1952). And a review index…
Thanks for all your work and keep the reviews coming!
Your favorite SF of all time is Stand on Zanzibar? Yes, I love it too, but not all reviews are complimentary. One thing for certain though, books like that are not published much these days.
Yes, my favorite — well the non-complimentary reviews are generally people who can’t tolerate a novel low on plot or hate experimentation on sci-fi — so, they are relatively easy to dismiss….
Sorry, I made a new comment. Meant to reply on your thread. My bad.
Easy to dismiss? I dunno. The book was written in a different age. But if you recast it in today’s terms, and with social media so relevant, bad reviews can have an impact. In the case of SOZ, negative reviews do signal its commercial aspects (problems?). It’s not for everyone. However, on an artistic basis I would think different reviews clearly segregate those who can appreciate it’s intention (high concept, experimentation, etc.), from those who can’t/won’t … whatever.
Ah, I meant I dismiss the reviews… I would only recommend the novel to people interested in more inventive science fiction or those obsessed with the classics. But it was recently re-printed so there is enough interest out there.
While it is high concept, experimental, etc., it’s really a book that you should be able to reccomend widely – I agree with Josh Wimmer that SOZ has many features that people like in Neal Stephenson’s work, Crytonomicon in particular.
Look ma, I’m on TV!
For the rest of the blogs, I actively follow around half of them. Always glad to see more promotion for SF Mistressworks since it’s a great collective that leads to a dozen other bloggers; 2theD’s Potpourri site is criminally under-commented on, considering the amount of awesome reviews; and I read the PorPor Books Blog even though our opinion disagrees about half the time. The rest I’m going to start following.
Yes, I disagree with PorPor Books a lot as well — I tend to think his ratings are rather low…. And, he has an obsession with camp…. But still, I love reading about sci-fi I’ve never heard of and I’m glad someone is reviewing them.
I agree, a bit too much camp and low, low ratings. Then again my rating style tends to look like a bell curve, which is why I eschewed them—”Oh look, yet another three-star book review from the Admiral.”
Great idea for a post! Very nice of you to make a list like this , I’ll have to check them all out .
Thanks for the kind comments
Definitely useful, thanks very much – I’m a regular reader of 4 of the 7, but I’m always looking for more to satisfy my craving for discussions of classic SF.
Thanks!
I love your reviews too Mike!
Fist-bump. Too bad I haven’t posted in three weeks. I’ve hardly picked up a book in that whole time. Busy working on my graduate thesis, which will take three more weeks out of my life and add numerous more grey hairs to my scalp.
Żołwik! (That’s a Polish fist-bump!) Thanks for the shout out, Joachim, but perhaps even better, the links to the other sites. 2theD I visit regularly and Jennre I use as reference, but the others were unknown. The few reviews I read on SFMistressworks were very informative. I only wish they had an index…
You’re welcome Jesse. I really enjoy Jennre… I find it somewhat difficult to navigate though — wish there was an index of the anthologies/stories…. Ah indexes, they are so useful.
My apologies to those at SFMistressworks. It appears my browser settings were preventing me from seeing the index where expected. (It was pushed to the bottom.) Problem solved. I now have an overview of the reviews, to which I feel ashamed for knowing so few authors…
I know! Even I posted while writing my proposal…. I still read sci-fi before bed to calm down… hahaha — just joshing….
Hi Joachim–the WP reader sent me this link (it’s scary how passing comments in blog entries apparently reveal so much to search engines!). My main writing on WP is about suburban homesteading, technology and the environment so…of course, classic SF! Anyways, just unpacked some boxes full of my SF/fantasy collection and you’ve inspired me to re-peruse (in addition to Varley, Gibson and Pohl already tackled), Tanith Lee, Piers Anthony, CJ Cherryh with possibly a little Fred Saberhagen thrown in. Will enjoy browsing here, too. Ah, machine-generated serendipity!
Thanks for visiting. I enjoy Pohl… But the others are more 80s authors and not my cup of tea (well, besides Anthony). I have read most of Cherryh’s masterpieces and Gibson etc…. But, most of those are too modern for me.
I do want to read Piers Anthony’s late 60s and 70s works eventually — we’ll see. A la Cthon (1967), Phthor (1975), and perhaps Macroscope (1969)… Have you read any of those?
Macroscope and Cthon possibly…but so many years ago that I don’t remember & I don’t have copies any more so not sure. My oldest SF book dates to the 70′s but now you got me thinking. Thx for the tips!
Ah, you’re missing out — the better stuff is earlier
Thanks for the tips, Joachim!
You’re welcome