Introduction


Greg Bear
Greg Bear almost takes the “fiction” out of science fiction. He is one of the most respected authors of what has been dubbed “hard science fiction,” a segment of the genre that seeks to root its stories in as much empirical evidence and scientific fact as possible. In this way, Bear has not only helped to legitimize science fiction as a literary genre, but he has also bridged the literary and scientific communities. His novella Blood Music, which explores numerous themes involving science (including nanotechnology), exemplifies Bear’s informed perspective. Whether examining extraterrestrial life, artificial intelligence, or medical aberrations, Bear uses factual information to keep his stories connected and relevant to our world.

Essential Facts

  1. Though his reputation is rooted in science fiction, Bear has expanded his repertoire with novels that fall into the fantasy and horror genres.
  2. Many of Bear’s best-known works are multivolume cycles, including the Eon books and the Songs of Earth and Power series. He has also written novels for the Star Wars and Star Trek series.
  3. Some of Bear’s later works are medical stories where diseases figure prominently in the plots, often driving the central mystery.
  4. Bear holds a highly esteemed reputation among his peers, including 2007 Nobel Prize winner Doris Lessing, who has repeatedly praised his work.
  5. Coincidentally, Bear’s second wife, Astrid, is the daughter of another famous science fiction writer—Poul Anderson.