When I was growing up I used to read a lot
of science fiction, because that is what you
do when you have no girl friend and an interest
in science. After going to University I read
more literature. At some stage I got bored
of modern literature, because I reading a lot of stories
about Professors who taught English literature,
or creative writing. Frankly, most stories were
very well written, but boring and pointless
So after a few years, I thought fuck it, let's go back to reading science fiction novels. This is just a unfocused introduction to saying that, I have just read "New Maps of hell" by Kingsley Amis. Amis was part of the English literature establishment, so it was surprising to see him write a book length review on science fiction The book was published in the early 60s, so before the infusion of some aspects of science fiction with the literary main stream. He was mostly reading the science fiction magazines, such as Amazing.
I got the impression that Amis also liked science fiction because it was more interesting to read than say the books his son now churns out.