Brian Aldiss

[Derek Smith]

Or Brian W. Aldiss, he's 89 today. Happy birtday.

I was a big fan of his and devoured his section in my local library. When Hothouse was published, the chief librarian kept it back for me. I was entranced. It was the first brand new hardback novel I'd ever read and I put a brown paper cover over it to ensure it wasn't damaged in any way.

It was/is brilliant. Like all his books it dripped in startling ideas.

[welsh blackbird]

Derek Smith said:

Or Brian W. Aldiss, he's 89 today. Happy birtday.

I was a big fan of his and devoured his section in my local library. When Hothouse was published, the chief librarian kept it back for me. I was entranced. It was the first brand new hardback novel I'd ever read and I put a brown paper cover over it to ensure it wasn't damaged in any way.

It was/is brilliant. Like all his books it dripped in startling ideas.

Read Frankenstein Unbound as a teenager - I was more into horror than sci-fi - but really enjoyed it. Re-read it a good few years later and still enjoyed it.

I seem to remember reading his account of his wife's battle with cancer. I can't remember the title, but I found it very moving.

Happy Birthday!

[Nimby]

"But who can replace a man?" was the very first SF story I read; I must have been 8 or 9, and was hooked for life.