So what do folks think about humor in science fiction and fantasy? I'm not talking an occasional funny passage or dialog. I'm talking about a SFF/F comedy. Do you like it? Is it worthwhile? What are your favorite humorous SF/F books?
Here are my thoughts: First off, I've read relatively little humorous SF/F novels - the idea just doesn't appeal to me for some reason. I think that the sense of wonder I crave from sf gets diluted by the humor. The one enjoyable sf book I did read was Douglas Adams' Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. I did not much care for the sequels. I also read Dr. Dimension years ago and remember it falling flat. So, are there any funny sf books out there that would change my mind about humorous SF?
Fantasy is, I believe, a better forum for comedy. There's no science to get in the way. Magic can be whatever but science has to be rooted in reality to be believable. There's Pratchett's Discworld series which, shamefully, I have yet to experience. Are there other fantasy books I should check out?
Comments (5)
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Posted by John DeNardo at Wednesday May 19, 2004 at 2:55 PM
© 2008 SF Signal
I remember Mallworld being rather funny, but other than that, I can't think of any other humorous SF books, other than HHGttG.
As for fantasy, other then Pratchett (which you must read), I can think of the Myth series by Robert Asprin and the Castle Perilous series by John DeChancie (not to be confused with John de Lancie who played Q on ST:TNG which sorta fits since the Q episodes were played, after the first one, for humor) when I was younger and I remember them being funny.
Posted by jp on Wednesday May 19, 2004 at 3:15 PM at 3:15 PM
I beg to differ, sir! There IS humorous science fiction... and Harry Harrison wrote 50% of it.
Here are some hilarious SF novels, some of which should be available at a well-stocked library or eBay:
BILL, THE GALACTIC HERO by Harry Harrison
-A send-up of Heinlein and Asimov.
THE TECHNICOLOR TIME MACHINE by H. Harrison
-a movie crew travels back in time to shoot a movie with REAL Vikings and Indians.
DIMENSION OF MIRACLES a.k.a. MINDSWAP by Robert Sheckley
-Hard to describe, must be experienced.
-THE WAR WITH THE NEWTS by Carel Capek
-A classic satire about slavery. Also read his satire of religion, THE ABSOLUTE AT LARGE.
-A.R. Yngve
http://yngve.bravehost.com
Posted by A.R. Yngve on Thursday May 20, 2004 at 2:43 PM at 2:43 PM
I had forgotten about Harry Harrison. I remember Bill, the Galactic Hero as being funny. Don't think I've read the others.
Posted by jp on Thursday May 20, 2004 at 3:51 PM at 3:51 PM
Allamagoosa by Eric Frank Russell (short story) is a knee-slapper, as is his novel The Space Willies.
And of course, the short stories of Stanislaw Lem, collected in Cyberiad.
Posted by chris hall on Thursday May 20, 2004 at 5:54 PM at 5:54 PM