Ask whether the universe of the story recognizes the existence of persons. Is
this distinction between SF and Fantasy original with Ted Chiang? Can you think of any counter-examples that don't fit?
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posted by straight
on Sep 14, 2011 -
30 answers
What is the name of this really disturbing science fiction short story? (potentially NSFW description)
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posted by brundlefly
on Jun 25, 2010 -
14 answers
What English-language science fiction books would you recommend I teach to Japanese high school students?
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posted by MShades
on Jun 23, 2010 -
36 answers
What are some or how can one best find science-fiction novels that are good by general literary standards?
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posted by colinmarshall
on Aug 18, 2009 -
75 answers
I'd like recommendations for short stories that are strange, humorous, or have a surprising twist.
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posted by Rinku
on Mar 8, 2009 -
57 answers
What science fiction films are there, iyho, that really measure up to the best of written work in that genre?
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posted by protorp
on Aug 31, 2008 -
51 answers
Looking for the name of a sci-fi book. Man is injected with a serum that causes him to shrink forever, eventually discovering there are universes smaller than atoms.
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posted by Gudlyf
on Feb 7, 2008 -
9 answers
ScienceFictionfilter: Suggestions for gift subscriptions of science fiction magazines, journals printed in English and dead tree format
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posted by jadepearl
on Jun 18, 2007 -
10 answers
The Postal Service song "We Will Become Silhouettes" reminds me of a short story (or maybe poem?) I read in high school, but I can't remember the name or author for the life of me. I believe the action centered around an automated house going through its daily routine after the inhabitants had been vaporized on its side. There was also something about birds singing... I think. Any ideas?
posted by pokermonk
on Oct 12, 2006 -
12 answers
I'm looking for SF books that may not be classified as sci-fi, but instead as standard adult fiction "literature" at my local library. Examples would be Mary Doria Russell's "The Sparrow" or David Mitchell's "Cloud Atlas"
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posted by Dag Maggot
on Dec 12, 2005 -
40 answers
Some years ago, I read a book called something like "Time Like a Slow (Flowing?) River". It was the sequel to another book in which environmentally indignant aliens had conquered Earth to save it from humans and placed strict restrictions on earthlings until they became better environmental stewards. People had to travel by solar powered paddleboats, abandon fossil fuels, etc.
I have had no luck on Google or Amazon (and it's not
this). Does anybody know the name or author of either of these books?
posted by signal
on Apr 29, 2004 -
3 answers
Like many other geeks here, I grew up reading sci-fi and fantasy. But I gradually got tired of it, because so much of it was poorly written or antithetical to my tastes. But I still yearn for other worlds at times, so I'd be interested in recommendations. [more inside.]
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posted by grumblebee
on Dec 16, 2003 -
64 answers
