A majority of Science Fiction books are aimed at a particular kind of audience. However, the following books will be enjoyed even by those who are not hard-core fans of the genre.
1. Dune
This book written by Frank Herbert focuses on issues like politics, drug trafficking, religion and desert ecology. When it was released, the story was considered to be a little confusing as the threads were all interwoven. However, television shows like The West Wing and The X-Files allowed people to adapt themselves to this new style, allowing Herbert to gain success in the field.
2. Earth
This book written by David Brin and the plot revolves around scientists who create a black hole after which it sinks into the core of the Earth. As they try to dig it out, they find a new black hole in the core, the origin of which is unknown. This mystery soon loses its charm and turns into a problem.
3. Ender’s Game
The plot of this book written by Orson Scott Card revolves around child-warriors hired by the military for the purpose of fighting against aliens. Ender is the protagonist who struggles to stay grounded and keep a check on his humanity as he realizes that he is turning into an emotionless killing machine.
4. Grass
Elements like nobility, politics and the ultimate destiny of the human race find mention in this book written by Sheri Tepper. Marjorie Westriding is the protagonist of the story who is sent to a new planet for the purpose of finding a cure for a particular disease. However, instead, she questions the aliens about different issues- the most significant of which is original sin.
5. Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
In order to make a bypass through the galaxy, the Earth is destroyed and the book tells the story of Arthur Dent- an extremely confused and ordinary human being. You will find yourself laughing till the last page.
6. Hyperion and Fall of Hyperion
The two books are written by Dan Simmons and while Hyperion is written from the point of view of different pilgrims for the purpose of describing this new civilization, the second book talks about the ultimate downfall of the same civilization. The Fall of Hyperion is narrated by a clone of John Keats.
7. The Martian Chronicles
This novel is written by Ray Bradbury. The book is a compilation of short stories which combine elements like fantasy and science fiction and are all based on life on Mars. While some stories talk about the meetings between humans and Martians, others focus on those human beings that decide to live on Mars.
8. Perdido Street Station
This book written by China Miéville whose writing style has been said to be as superior as Charles Dickens and H.P. Lovecraft. While it is challenging to explain the plot of the book clearly, one can say that it involves romance between different species, mad scientists and vampire-like moth creatures.
9. Snow Crash
This book is written by Neal Stephenson. The plot focuses on a computer virus which was said to have originated in Sumeria. The cyberworld gets great emphasis in this novel and it has been said that many internet companies tried to form a world mirroring the same.
10. Stranger in a Strange Land
Even though this book by Robert Heinlein is not as gripping as the above-mentioned novels, it is still a good read. Firstly because the dialogue is crisp and fresh- making the reading experience fun and secondly, the book talks about the relationship between God and those who follow him- making it very interesting.
Ok I’m not sure if it is considered fantasy or sci-fi but……
The Dark Tower series were and are the greatest of both worlds.
The way Stephen King draws you into the world of Roland is just amazing.
And then his companions or fellow gunslingers if you prefer just finished the entire series.
A must read.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy should go to the most overrated books list.What a poorly written book. Asimov or Stanislav Lem should on the other hand make it to this list. At least Bradbury is here.
You can’t have a list of great science fiction and not have Asimov and Clarke. You also picked a Heinlein book from when he was going into his philosophical stage. I liked Stranger in a strange land but he did write a lot of better science fiction stories.