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Samuel R. Delany Reimagined Sci-Fi, Sex, and the City

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21–30 of 68 posts

Re: Samuel R. Delany Reimagined Sci-Fi, Sex, and the City

#21
post #18

My ten year old son loves sci-fi. And, it sounds like many of Delany's stories deal with adult-ish subject matter (of a sexual nature). I know he has a complicated history as a gay man in America, and I'm interested in knowing if there are good stories for young adults? My son can handle complicated things, but as his dad I want to be cautious as well.

Nova

Re: Samuel R. Delany Reimagined Sci-Fi, Sex, and the City

#22
post #18

My ten year old son loves sci-fi. And, it sounds like many of Delany's stories deal with adult-ish subject matter (of a sexual nature). I know he has a complicated history as a gay man in America, and I'm interested in knowing if there are good stories for young adults? My son can handle complicated things, but as his dad I want to be cautious as well.

I read Dhalgren at 14 and I would definitely not recommend that. I'd avoid the Nevèrÿon books as well, while they are among my favourites, their themes are very adult.

Babel-17 and Nova are probably both good places for him to start. They are both pretty interesting stories.

Re: Samuel R. Delany Reimagined Sci-Fi, Sex, and the City

#23
If you are looking for good books by Delany

Jewel Hinged Jaw is literary criticism and advice for writers https://www.amazon.com/Jewel-Hinged-Jaw-Language-Science-Fic...

His three most pure "science fiction" novels are Babel-17, Trouble on Triton (originally published as Triton), and Nova. They are all very imaginative but grounded in scientific extrapolation.

His Neveryona series of stories and books are set in a medieval frame but are really about modern life. I found them interesting and thought-provoking.

He wrote a short autobiographical piece about some time he spent in a commune called "Heavenly Breakfast" that I found insightful.

He has a number of very good shorts science fiction stories from the 60's and 70's that are very good as well. Two in particular I enjoyed:

"Time Considered as a Helix of Semi-Precious Stones"

"We, in Some Strange Power’s Employ, Move on a Rigorous Line"

are collected in "Driftglass"

Re: Samuel R. Delany Reimagined Sci-Fi, Sex, and the City

#25
post #12
post #2

This is an excellent article on a writer that more people need to know about.

Just know that if you support Delany you're supporting the sexual abuse of children. “I read the NAMBLA [Bulletin] fairly regularly and I think it is one of the most intelligent discussions of sexuality I’ve ever found. I think before you start judging what NAMBLA is about, expose yourself to it and see what it is really about. What the issues they are really talking about, and deal with what’s really there rather th…

What does "support Delany" mean? Imo you need to separate the art from the artist, and thus one can enjoy the art without necessarily aligning with the artist' views.

Re: Samuel R. Delany Reimagined Sci-Fi, Sex, and the City

#27
post #18

My ten year old son loves sci-fi. And, it sounds like many of Delany's stories deal with adult-ish subject matter (of a sexual nature). I know he has a complicated history as a gay man in America, and I'm interested in knowing if there are good stories for young adults? My son can handle complicated things, but as his dad I want to be cautious as well.

The short stories in Driftglass were pretty good, and relatively tame. Read them at 13 or 14.

The sex in Tales of Neveryon is basically off-screen, with heavy allusions.

Re: Samuel R. Delany Reimagined Sci-Fi, Sex, and the City

#28

If you are looking for good books by Delany Jewel Hinged Jaw is literary criticism and advice for writers https://www.amazon.com/Jewel-Hinged-Jaw-Language-Science-Fic... His three most pure "science fiction" novels are Babel-17, Trouble on Triton (originally published as Triton), and Nova. They are all very imaginative but grounded in scientific extrapolation. His Neveryona series of stories and books are set in a me…

I notice you skipped “Dhalgren”. Probably for the best.

Re: Samuel R. Delany Reimagined Sci-Fi, Sex, and the City

#30
post #28

If you are looking for good books by Delany Jewel Hinged Jaw is literary criticism and advice for writers https://www.amazon.com/Jewel-Hinged-Jaw-Language-Science-Fic... His three most pure "science fiction" novels are Babel-17, Trouble on Triton (originally published as Triton), and Nova. They are all very imaginative but grounded in scientific extrapolation. His Neveryona series of stories and books are set in a me…

I notice you skipped “Dhalgren”. Probably for the best.

I have read many of his books, including Dhalgren, which is a complex and dense book that does not make for easy reading. I recommended the ones that were more "hard science fiction" that were full of interesting ideas. The protagonist in Triton is not really a hero but Delany's world building is very thought provoking.
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