i like gibson, i really do, he does alter my perception, and did something important in science fiction, but in absolute terms he can't hold a candle to kafka or garcia marquez--just to pull a couple of names at random.

pk dick had a wonderful imagination, but his prose suffered for reasons we all know.

I like Ernest Hemingway.

I think Burroughs is great but I didn't realize there is a major
Burroughs fanbase here. That kind of changes my attitude to the board.

I still say Penguin Group is the most overrated author, though.

I actually love his writing style. the lapses in clarity seem to mirror the chaos of his themes perfectly. Thomas Disch is another one like that (surely one of the must UNDERrated sci-fi writers). The writing in Camp Concentration actually makes you almost as paranoid as its characters.

If you fancy getting a evening of boredom, just ask me about Wm. Burroughs and I'll waffle on until the cows come home. Philip K Dick's books are excellent, but not at all easy to read. Agree w/demonraill666 about T Disch.

I didn't really like Moby Dick that much. I got confused by it and kept drifting off when I tried to read it. I cannot recall very much in the middle parts.