INTERVIEW WITH CHRISTOPHER PRIEST: Part 1 New Wave Science Fiction to 'The Affirmation' Breakthrough

Wow...thank you..

Thank you; I know relatively little about Christopher Priest, so an overview of his works and his opinions from different times is really quite illuminating.
I think I would like even more on his opinion of other writers and SF as a movement- I feel like you two are both on the same page, and like I need some more background to enter into your commonality.
I will have to give this one a complete rewatch (the audio was a little muddy) I had to watch everyone's faces to make sure I was hearing what was being said, and I will have to watch it again to get more out of it. I know you just starting this ambitious leg of your journey, and that it's a work in progress. No sweat, I just don't want to miss anything, like a savory delicacy.

Thanks. I really enjoyed that and learned a lot.

Thank you, OB, for this very important presentation regarding CP. He is certainly a mover and shaker in the newer cadre of arguably superb SF writers. Your keen eye for what's important, contemporaneously, is outstanding and so much appreciated. It's almost like a religious experience for me, watching your channel. Cheers!

I just finished reading Inverted World. Terrific!

What A Marvelous Interview/Chat! 79 and still going strong.
So many good books that I have enjoyed and which have given me so much enjoyment over many years.
Thank you Chris & Stephen,Looking forward to part 2.

Thanks!

A nice conversation. I hope in part two you get to talk about his friendship with Richard/John/Colin Cowper/Middleton Murray. It was Chris who told me about Shades of Darkness which Kerosina went on to publish.

Thanks. I have only ever read one Christopher priest story, that of a man who cuts bits of himself off for a stage performance. I really enjoyed it! Reminded me of Ballard.... I shall have to read the affirmation, also the magus whom I remember somebody reading on front of me on a train once..

Really enjoyed this, great insight to the early work and looking forward to part two

What a hater this guy is and I love it!! I want to know what other writers he hates. Please, let him keep it real.

Thank you for interviewing one of my favorite writers. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Thanks for this excellent interview! Mr. Priest's comments about Michael Moorcock made me shout "Wow!" and laugh out loud. But then I remembered that Moorcock once described himself as a "bad writer with good ideas," adding that that was preferable to being a good writer with bad ideas. I'm a huge Moorcock fan, but, to my shame, I haven't read Priest. I'll take your advice and start with the early novels.

The Affirmation and The Glamour blew my head off. I can still picture the last scene of both books.

My favorite of his latter works is The Adjacent. I love that damn book. I enjoy books that hurt my head, so to speak, and most of CP’s books deliver on that.

A fantastic and fascinating interview, I could listen to you two chatting all day. Bravo and I can't wait for the second part.

Fantastic start to what could easily be a 10-part series. That said, there’s a lot of knowledge on display that even 10 may not suffice!

Great interview. I just picked up a used copy of The Magus. I noticed it was the revised version. Do you know the difference? Which version is recommended?

Great interview. Christopher is such a unique thinker; brave enough to plough his own field. No one writes quite like him. Although I have enjoyed his books for decades I have never heard him in interview before. This was a revelation. Thanks for posting. Can't wait for part two!

This is awesome, there isn't near enough interviews with Christopher. I've loved his books since reading The Affirmation, and have since bought and read all of his published works (as far as I can tell) Including online only and magazine shorts. Fascinating guy. Always makes me smile that he has managed to become his own genre.

I've only recently discovered your channel, and as a reader of all genres, and now an SF writer, I'm really enjoying your videos. Listening to Chris Priest talk about his books and the SF scene is always a delight, so I really appreciated this video. Looking forward to part 2! Thanks for the great content. 🙂

Just discovered this channel. Great to see such a literate & well researched interview. Chris is fascinating. I do hope that you get to interview Moorcock. There is a real need for a deep interview with him, especially after the very revealing Whispering Swarm.

Terrific interview. It's true a lot of the new wave has aged really poorly. Sexual innuendos, curse words; I'm sure it felt cutting edge at the time. But it seems quaint now. I love Harlan Ellison, but his work is wildly uneven. His best stuff really shines though.

I am massively looking forward to watching these vids, but I have only read one book by him, Inverted World, and I'd rather know his ouevre better first. Keeping this video in the cellar until then.

Not only one of the leading lights of the New Wave but a writer who is still very much at it, having received a strong second wind with the release of The Prestige and its attendant film adaptation.

Question for Magus lovers: Do you recommend the original 1965 version, or Fowles' updated 1978 version?

Love this. Love Priest too. More, please.

Wonderful interview. Very interesting to hear about The Magus’ influence on the young Priest.

Just found your channel about a month ago, and I love it. I took your advice and picked up “The Glamour”, and it blew my mind. Please keep the marvelous videos going. I will recommend them to my students. Cheers

Only a year late but better late than never!
Just read the Islanders so yor little to and fro on the Dream Archipelago was very illuminating.
Just ordered affirmation and inverted world as I now need to read as much of CP as I can. Fabulous stuff thanks again Steve
Happy New Year
Looking forward to reading lots. Have decided to do a full survey of 20th century SF. Have got Adam Robert's critical history and your 100 must read so well set up for a great time
Have a great year
Thanks for what you do. Youve been a great influence.

Just heard the sad news. RIP to a master, and sorry for your personal loss.

I’m saddened to hear of his passing. I first heard about Chris through your videos and discussion of his work, which has utterly illuminated my knowledge of the genre. Thank you Steve. I’ve now come to know Chris as a pillar of literary SF, however I’ve never read his work…yet. I just purchased Inverted World a few weeks ago. It’ll be my next read. ❤

I just came here as I remembered you knew Christopher Priest. My condolences. My favourite author, I never got to meet him, but always bought his books blind. The Affirmation and Inverted World truly affected me. RIP.

My condolences to you, Stephen...take care!