[lproven]

I am the same. I adore the SF, but don't find the mainstream fiction very interesting.

I started with the Wasp Factory which I used as external reading for my English Literature 'A' level -- I still have my first-edition hardback -- and I moved on to Consider Phlebas and loved all of IMB's stuff. Most of IB's did not move me, although the Bridge and Transitions are interesting.