Lem

I had never been a SciFi person in the past - but over the past two-three years a person who is very close to me have me discover it, and I have since been reading some of the best work there with my eldest son.

I just finished Solaris and Fiasco by S. Lem (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanislaw_Lem). These are not as much SciFi as they are philosophical essays. Impressive work, and very good reading, highly recommended.
I am not surprised at all Lem did not see eye to eye with his peers (http://www.lem.pl/cyberiadinfo/english/faq/faq.htm#sfwa)...

Of course, it is ironic that the person who initiated me to this hates Solaris... and possibly would hate Fiasco. But that goes to prove that you can embrace and extend ;)!