David Cronenberg names his favourite science fiction writers
In terms of significant contributions to the world of science fiction cinema, they don’t get much more important than David Cronenberg. With films that genuinely push the boundaries of the genre and narratives that defy convention whilst still exposing the complexities of the human experience, Cronenberg is rightfully considered a master of his craft.
The likes of Videodrome and eXistenZ have examined the relationship between the organic and the artificial as they continue to merge with one another in our contemporary society, while The Fly dives head first into science gone wrong. Quite simply, Cronenberg has established himself as one of science fiction cinema’s best directors with his unique blend of body horror and social critique.
In an interview with The New York Times, Cronenberg once opened up on his early influences, and after admitting his love for comic books as a child, including Superman and Captain Marvel, he turned his attention to the kind of science fiction works that would go on to provide the basis for his own glorious and disturbing treatments of the genre.
“Science-fiction magazines: The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, Galaxy, Astounding,” the director pointed out. It was at that point that he named the sci-fi authors who took his early attention and introduced him to far-distant worlds beyond his comprehension, noting, “I didn’t encounter Philip Dick until much later. But there was Ray Bradbury and Isaac Asimov.”
Philip K. Dick is a writer who needs no introduction. With 44 novels and 121 short stories to his name, the Illinois-born author of Do Android Dream of Electric Sheep? The Man in the High Castle and A Scanner Darkly is one of science fiction’s most significant names, with stories that explore the nature of reality and human perception and identity.
Ray Bradbury is another of America’s most-celebrated names, best known for his excellent contributions, including the timeless novel Fahrenheit 451, plus the short story collections The Martian Chronicles and The Illustrated Man. Bradbury had also written in the horror, fantasy and realism fiction genres, but it’s perhaps sci-fi for which he is best known.
Cronenberg said of Isaac Asimov, “He was important, a legitimate scientist and an artist, a writer, at the same time.” Considered one of the ‘Big Three’ science fiction writers – alongside Robert A. Heinlein and Arthur C. Clarke – Asimov, professor of biochemistry at Boston University, had a truly prolific career, writing or editing over 500 books, including the widely influential Foundation, Galactic Empire and Robot series.
