This Is Why I Read Obscure Science Fiction Novels [100 Book Challenge #43-45]

I'll always appreciate how the faithful and dedicated fans give obscure books their deserving start. And the way old classics are unearthed and given new life. You and your peers are doing culture a big favor! Thanks.

I've always considered myself a well-read sf reader, having been reading it for about 50 years and loving a wide variety of types of sf. And still you surprise me with so many authors I just have never heard of, like Compton. These videos are doing a real service to the genre in keeping the names of authors like this alive, so I really hope you do get to continue them as you embark on your new journeys. Best of luck!

For those who get audiobooks from Audible, “Pastel City” is available under the title “Virconium”, which includes the whole sequence of books. (Yay!)

M John Harrison's "The Pastel City" I read first soon after it came out. Like you I found it a little difficult to get into, but, on a more relaxed re-read, I saw the real "core" - it is basically a medieval prose poem, retold in SF terms with a fantasy dressing. Once I got my head around it, I saw the poetic nature of the book, heavily influenced by Milton and Shakespeare.... Now it is one of my favourite books. He also wrote a short story collection, set in the same worlds - Viriconium Nights.. There are 2 sequels (of sorts) "Storm of Wings" and "In Viriconium." He also wrote an SF novel: The Centauri Device" which did not really "grab" me the way the Viriconiuum books and stories did. There is also a collection titled "Viriconium" ion the SF Masterworks series.

You are what I wished I could have been and done 50 years ago. A dedicated 'head in the clouds' sci-fi deamer. I very much appreciate your analysis, the wide range of your reading, your articulate but casually accessable style. Looking forward to your future reviews and analysis of sci-fi, both old and new. Thank you and good luck on your journeys! ( Maybe interesting to subscribers/listeners to do a discussion of your backround, education, how you came to sci-fi literature, etc.,)

So jealous of your collection 😍

Dayum, another couple books for my read list. I don't always agree with your taste, but you sure deliver some of the absolute best Sci fi reviews I know of - thoughtful, thorough, respectful to the genre yet not afraid to engage with it. Bravo.

DG Compton’s The Unsleeping Eye was excellent.

Really enjoying these videos. Putting a lot on my TBR as a result. Recently finished Other Days, Other Eyes based off your recommendations and just cannot get it out of my head. What a superb and horrifically prescient book! Thank you so much for bringing it to my attention. Good luck and bon voyage for this next chapter in your life. It would be really interesting to see you exploring the local libraries of the places you visit, particularly their sci-fi shelves. I live out in Malaysia and I know there are a few local publishers here who publish in English, and I've been really enjoying reading their collections of short stories by authors across SE Asia. Given your penchant for unearthing hidden gems, I think the local libraries might be a real treasure trove for you.

You were so close to making me not want to read a book, and then after the video is over, I just really want to read that book.

The thumbnail for this video made me think you were going to do the novelisation of Pan's Labyrinth.

I like hearing people talk about obscure science fiction. I don't have much to add but am still commenting for algorithmic support

The Stugatski book sounds extremely relevant to the modern day, and the fading of actual rl community due to the internet/social media alienating people from each other, and also making capital's cooption and commodification of everything easier and faster

One thing that have always bothered me when I went To SF conventions was the fact that the panelists insisted that SF became obsolete very fast. As if we should only read the recently published. Personnally, there was a lot of books that I was not able to get in the 70s for lack of availability or money. By my on stupidity too but that is another matter. Being still alive, I want to find and read these books and I'm happy to see that there seems to be a lot of people who are interested in those classics too.

Matt, a superb review of these interesting books. Your review inspired me to buy the Harrison series to include “Pastel…” and also I got “Farewell…” on Kindle, which sounds amazing. Thanks!

The Pastel City, everything you don't like about it got me curious about it, I might have to give it a read. Thanks 🙂

Interesting comment on the Strugatski book, when you said you might not be quite up to the task of understanding completely. Very honest, and a feeling shared with many I think. Your review of Farewell Earth's Bliss was one of the finest you've ever done IMHO. And that's saying a LOT given the entirety of your archive, as you set a very high bar for yourself. As always, great content, production, quality, presentation and especially perspective. Cheers.

I have read Harrison's Viriconium books, but like you found them hard going and I don't recall them making a vivid impression beyond a certain mood. Like the Dying Earth books Harrison's other stories about Viriconium change in style in a slightly strange way. Of his SF, The Centauri Device is possibly his most famous work and it is good. But readers of Alfred Bester's The Stars My Destination might find that a punchier telling of a similar story.

These aren't particularly obscure Matt, and I know you love your vintage stuff but I would highly recommend M John Harrison's Light (2002) or, if your'e into mountain climbing Climbers is fantastic, and if you love weird fiction The Course of the Heart might float your boat.

2 things: -More money to spend (if stuff can actually be found!) -Your output is, in my view, just head and shoulders above the rest. Thank you!