As I’m writing this, there are still a few hours left of November 25, which makes it Poul Anderson’s birthday (b. 1924), but most of you will read this on November 26, making it Frederik Pohl’s 100th birthday (b. 1919).
Poul Anderson
I grew up reading both of them. Anderson was a master of both science fiction and fantasy, while Pohl wrote science fiction almost exclusively. I’m not going to have time to read anything by either of them before the weekend, but I wanted to give a shout-out to two of the giants who built the field and upon whose shoulders today’s scribblers try to stand.
Of the two, I think I prefer Anderson to Pohl. He’s the more optimistic of the two, although there are times when I really get into Pohl’s cynicism, like in Stopping at Slowyear.
Both men started writing for the pulps, Pohl before WWII and Anderson after. Because of the markets at the time, they started out as short fiction writers and moved on to novels when they became the preferred format. Both left a substantial body of work. I’ve not read everything either of them wrote, although I’ve read quite a bit. Perhaps it’s time for a reread.
Frederik Pohl
Sadly both men are also becoming forgotten, especially Pohl. Anderson has fared a little better, in part because he wrote quite a bit of fantasy. If you’ve not read the work of either of these men, you should check them out.
I’m curious. If you’ve read either, what work (or works) of theirs is your favorite?
I’ll go first. I’ve read all of Anderson’s future history. The subseries in that longer work I like the best are the Dominic Flandry stories. They concern a man who works to stall the collapse of a galactic empire and hold off the Long Night. They draw on history, and if you like the grand sweep mixed with the acts of individuals to make a difference, this series is one you want to check out. My favorite of his fantasies is The Broken Sword. I plan to reread it over the next year and do a post about it.
My favorite work by Pohl is his Heechee saga. Alien devices are discovered which will transport someone to a different location in space. The trick is you don’t know where you’re going or how long the trip will take. You have to take your chances. You could come back with Heechee technology that will make you rich, you could come back with nothing, you could come back dead, or you might not come back at all. Just step right up and take your chances.
SO glad you were on top of honoring Poul’s 95th b-day. I’ve been too swamped the last few days.
Over the last 20-25yrs, I’ve really come to admire/love Poul’s oeuvre. He has risen steadily in my estimation while others have fallen behind. I have to say I like/love at least 90% of his SF and fantasy fiction. As far as his various series and settings, his van Rijn and Flandry tales (all part of his “Technic History”) are classics, but I enjoy his earlier Psychotechnic stuff as well. THE HIGH CRUSADE is also an evergreen. I think it goes without saying that he remains one of the great heroic fantasy authors.
In general, I find Pohl kind of depressing, EXCEPT for his Heechee stuff, which is fun. That said, the man was an avowed fan of A. Merritt, so I give him credit for that.
“Swamped” would be an improvement for me.
I agree with you about Anderson. The more time passes, the higher my regard for him. Pohl is depressing, but, yes, the Heechee books are fun and a perfect example of what science fiction ought to be.
My list of Anderson favorites is too long to give here. His by-line was a virtual guarantee of a good read. Pohl I liked better as an editor than as a writer. I should rate him in the top five stf editors, just after Boucher, Campobell, and Gold.