Re: Worst Science Fiction Series

I think SF as "idea fiction" is bound to be received well by inexperienced
readers and not impress grownups. That's why when I was 15 I did like the
Foundation books, and now I find them close to unreadable. A lot of "Golden
Age" SF is that way, though - I'm not surprised to see Lensman in Ian's
list, even though I've never actually read it. (I remember enjoying Skylark
of Valeron...) Some authors survive a grown up re-read a lot better -
Heinlein, for example, even if his premises set my teeth on edge, doesn't
read like a ninth grader's fanfic.

I have more than once trotted out Walter Tevis on occasions like this.
Tevis is not known for his SF - he wrote two SF novels, one of which, "The
Man Who Fell to Earth," was made into a movie. His science or "idea
content" is not particularly remarkable - what captures the reader is the
story telling.

-- 

Helge