Keith Roberts
Encyclopedia
- For the American dancer, see Keith Roberts (dancer)Keith Roberts (dancer)Keith Roberts is a professional dancer who is currently performing in Twyla Tharp's Las Vegas show Sinatra Dance With Me, which opened on December 11, 2010 and is scheduled to run through April 2, 2011...
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Keith John Kingston Roberts (20 September 1935 – 5 October 2000), was an English science fiction author. He began publishing with two stories in the September 1964 issue of Science Fantasy
Science Fantasy (magazine)
Science Fantasy, which also appeared under the titles Impulse and SF Impulse, was a British fantasy and science fiction magazine, launched in 1950 by Nova Publications as a companion to Nova's New Worlds. Walter Gillings was editor for the first two issues, and was then replaced by John Carnell,...
magazine, "Anita" (the first of a series of stories featuring a teenage modern witch and her eccentric granny) and "Escapism.
Several of his early stories were written using the pseudonym
Pseudonym
A pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym...
Alistair Bevan. His second novel, Pavane
Pavane (novel)
Pavane by Keith Roberts is an alternate history science fiction fix-up novel first published by Rupert Hart-Davis Ltd in 1968. Most of the original stories were published in Science Fantasy...
, which is a collection of linked stories, may be his most famous work: an alternate history
Alternate history (fiction)
Alternate history or alternative history is a genre of fiction consisting of stories that are set in worlds in which history has diverged from the actual history of the world. It can be variously seen as a sub-genre of literary fiction, science fiction, and historical fiction; different alternate...
novel in which the Roman Catholic Church takes control of England following the assassination of Queen Elizabeth I
Elizabeth I of England
Elizabeth I was queen regnant of England and Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death. Sometimes called The Virgin Queen, Gloriana, or Good Queen Bess, Elizabeth was the fifth and last monarch of the Tudor dynasty...
.
Roberts wrote numerous novels and short stories, and also worked as an illustrator. His artistic contributions include covers and interior artwork for New Worlds
New Worlds (magazine)
New Worlds was a British science fiction magazine which was first published professionally in 1946. For 25 years it was widely considered the leading science fiction magazine in Britain, publishing 201 issues up to 1971...
and Science Fantasy, later renamed Impulse. He also edited the last few issues of Impulse although the nominal editor was Harry Harrison
Harry Harrison
Harry Harrison is an American science fiction author best known for his character the Stainless Steel Rat and the novel Make Room! Make Room! , the basis for the film Soylent Green...
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In later life, Roberts lived in Salisbury
Salisbury
Salisbury is a cathedral city in Wiltshire, England and the only city in the county. It is the second largest settlement in the county...
. He was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease in which the fatty myelin sheaths around the axons of the brain and spinal cord are damaged, leading to demyelination and scarring as well as a broad spectrum of signs and symptoms...
in 1990, and died of its complications in October 2000. Obituaries recalled him as a talented but personally 'difficult' author, with a history of disputes with publishers, editors and colleagues.
Partial bibliography
Novels- The Furies (1966) - a traditional UK disaster tale
- PavanePavane (novel)Pavane by Keith Roberts is an alternate history science fiction fix-up novel first published by Rupert Hart-Davis Ltd in 1968. Most of the original stories were published in Science Fantasy...
(1968) - a collection of linked short stories - Anita (1970) - a collection of linked short stories
- The Inner Wheel (1970) - a collection of linked short stories
- The Boat of Fate (1971) - a historical novel set in Britain at the end of the Roman Empire's power
- The Chalk Giants (1974) - a collection of linked short stories
- Molly Zero (1980) - a novel set in a dystopian future
- Kiteworld (1985) - originally published as linked short stories
- Kaeti & Company (1986) - linked short fiction
- Gráinne (1987) - slipstream fiction
- The Road to Paradise (1989) - a thriller, without fantastic elements
- Kaeti on Tour (1992) - linked short fiction
Collections
- Machines and Men (1973)
- The Grain Kings (1976)
- The Passing of the Dragons (1977)
- Ladies from Hell (1979)
- The Lordly Ones (1986)
- A Heron Caught in Weeds (1987) - poetry collection, edited by Jim Goddard
- Winterwood and Other Hauntings (1989) - ghost story collection, with an introduction by Robert HoldstockRobert HoldstockRobert Paul Holdstock was an English novelist and author best known for his works of Celtic, Nordic, Gothic and Pictish fantasy literature, predominantly in the fantasy subgenre of mythic fiction....
Other
- The Natural History of the P.H. (1988) - short essay about the "Primitive Heroine"
- Irish Encounters: A Short Travel (1989) - essays about a trip to Ireland in 1978
- Lemady: Episodes of a Writer's Life (1997) - autobiography, with fictional elements
Awards
- British Science Fiction Association AwardBSFA awardThe BSFA Awards are literary awards presented annually since 1970 by the British Science Fiction Association to honor works in the genre of science fiction. Nominees and winners are chosen based on a vote of BSFA members...
1982 - Short fiction: "Kitemaster" (InterzoneInterzone (magazine)Interzone is an award-winning British fantasy and science fiction magazine. Published since 1982, Interzone is the eighth longest-running science fiction magazine in history and the longest-running British SF magazine...
, Spring 1982) - British Science Fiction Association Award 1986 - Short fiction: "Kaeti and the Hangman" (Kaeti & Company)
- British Science Fiction Association Award 1986 - Artist: Keith Roberts
- British Science Fiction Association Award 1987 - Novel: Gráinne
Nominations
- Nebula AwardNebula AwardThe Nebula Award is given each year by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America , for the best science fiction/fantasy fiction published in the United States during the previous year...
1971 - Best NovellaNebula Award for Best NovellaWinners of the Nebula Award for Best Novella. The stated year is that of publication; awards are given in the following year.-Winners and other nominees:-External links:**...
: "The God House" (New Worlds QuarterlyNew Worlds (magazine)New Worlds was a British science fiction magazine which was first published professionally in 1946. For 25 years it was widely considered the leading science fiction magazine in Britain, publishing 201 issues up to 1971...
#1, 1971) - British Science Fiction Association Award 1980 - Novel: Molly Zero
- Hugo AwardHugo AwardThe Hugo Awards are given annually for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year. The award is named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine Amazing Stories, and was officially named the Science Fiction Achievement Awards...
1981 - Best NoveletteHugo Award for Best NoveletteThe Hugo Awards are given every year by the World Science Fiction Society for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year. The award is named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine Amazing Stories, and was once officially...
: "The Lordly Ones" (Fantasy & Science FictionThe Magazine of Fantasy & Science FictionThe Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction is a digest-size American fantasy and science fiction magazine first published in 1949 by Mystery House and then by Fantasy House. Both were subsidiaries of Lawrence Spivak's Mercury Publications, which took over as publisher in 1958. Spilogale, Inc...
, March 1980) - British Science Fiction Association Award 1985 - Novel: Kiteworld
- John W. Campbell Memorial AwardJohn W. Campbell Memorial Award for Best Science Fiction NovelThe John W. Campbell Memorial Award for Best Science Fiction Novel for best science fiction novel was created in 1973 by writers and critics Harry Harrison and Brian W. Aldiss to honor Campbell's name...
1986 - Joint 3rd place: Kiteworld - Nebula Award 1987 - Best Novella: "The Tiger Sweater" (Fantasy & Science Fiction, October 1987)
- Arthur C. Clarke AwardArthur C. Clarke AwardThe Arthur C. Clarke Award is a British award given for the best science fiction novel first published in the United Kingdom during the previous year. The award was established with a grant from Arthur C. Clarke and the first prize was awarded in 1987...
1988: Gráinne