25 of the greatest science fiction books ever written

[SheilaT]

10. Excellent point, about needing to stand the test of time.

In a similar way the old chestnuts need to be revisited. All too often The Man in the High Castle makes various best lists. I don't think anyone who compiles those lists has read it within the past 40 years. About ten years ago my s-f group in Kansas City read it, and we were collectively horrified at how bad it is.

I think it got its reputation because it was one of the earlier alternate histories, and is reasonably clever and original. But as the one member who is Japanese American pointed out, he just didn't have a clue about real Japanese culture. He seemed to think Japanese, Chinese, what's the difference? because as the friend pointed out, a lot of what he presents as supposedly Japanese is really Chinese.

Plus, as I recall, the plot simply sucked. But it got high praise when it first came out, and no one has bothered to re-evaluate it since. Other than my s-f group.

Among the reasons I like to reread books, or rewatch movies is to see if my earlier impressions hold up. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't.