No wonder, after all, we approach the subject subjectively and tastes are different. Today I wanted to present my list of 10 science fiction titles, with a small bonus, without which I cannot imagine my reading adventure. There will be new titles, as well as those known for years. The order does not matter, as each title is unique in its own way and incomparable to the rest.
Blade Runner. Do Androids Think Electric Sheep? – Philip K. Dick
The author focuses on the subject of humanity and questions its existence. The book appeared in 1968, but its reception, despite being years later, was overshadowed by the film (1982). Unfortunately, many issues were omitted in the adaptation, and the main message was distorted and very shallow, which definitely had a negative impact on the perception of the original. Philip K. Dick forever entered the genre of science fiction , and his works made an imprint in literature and gained a lot of fans around the world. Sure, it has better and worse moments, but Blade Runner definitely deserves attention. It focuses on the common life of humans and androids, and the aforementioned considerations are key. What makes someone human?
Robocalypse – Daniel H. Wilson
A vision of the future that once seemed distant and now may come tomorrow. All electronics are seized. You will not connect with loved ones on the phone, and the Internet and good uncle Google will not tell you what is going on. Look up as you may be crushed by a falling car, and if you look around you will see cars pulling people together. Minor equipment, power plants and even military defense are at risk. All technology turns against people. Maybe the idea itself is not something innovative, but the title distinguishes the author’s writing style, the way the plot is run, and creating reality on various levels. It is thanks to the creator that it is worth paying attention to the Robocalypse . I guess not only I think so, because Steven Spielberg’s screening is to appear next year.
Hyperion – Dan Simmons
The first volume of the series, which appeared in 1989, is the beginning of a great adventure that will not end. The book begins with the expedition of the death of seven heroes to the planet Hyperion, where the Tombs of Time are located. They are looking for Chyżwar, a creature like gods who will fulfill one of their wishes and destroy the rest. Interesting, isn’t it? While reading the next parts it is not worse, but the beginning is the most surprising. Simmons puts his heroes to the test and watches how far they will go to achieve success. Is there a limit of suffering that they will not exceed, will any pain, physical or mental, be able to stop them? Hyperion it’s a strong cycle, definitely not for the faint of heart. There is no happy ending here, and the subtitle should be pain and anguish.
Mockingbird – Walter Tevis
A tragic vision of the future. The world is dying and practically no one cares to save it. People are still intoxicated with drugs and flee into virtual reality. That’s where they want to be themselves, without children, works and other beautiful things. They choose the path of self-immolation instead of further existence. Among them is the Spofforth – the perfect machine with no flaws but one dream – to disappear and never come back. In these dark times there is a chance to rebuild as a couple discover the joy of their relationship and their books. They give hope to others and the main character. A position showing how easy it is to fall to the bottom of despair, stop worrying about yourself and others, and how hard it is to get out of this bottom, fight for yourself. One decision, one moment, other people can make your perception of reality change dramatically.
The stars of my destiny – Alfred Bester
The book from 1956 focuses on dark climates and aspects of human character. Gully Foyle is a hero who shows negative traits, mainly rage and I am in charge of revenge. Particularly noteworthy is the author’s writing style, which, thanks to an interesting and deliberate play on words, makes him even a poet. The title focuses on many aspects, with the main theme being the possibility of human teleportation. The position is unique because it is based on many meaningful ideas, and at the same time you do not get lost while reading and everything is connected.
Green Town – Ray Bradbury
A position that has been sold out for a very long time and has recently been reissued. A collection of short stories that focuses on stories from Green Town. It is a very positive title, outlining the meaning of life affirmation, focusing on trivial and simple things that bring happiness. After all, you don’t need great gestures or material goods to be happy. Once again, the uniqueness of the title is dictated by the author’s writing style, who creates magical stories from everyday, simple matters that draw you in and you do not want to put them away. One might be tempted to say that Bradbury brings us back to our childhood years, where everything was amazing and simple things turned into a great expedition. A reminder of life and its dark and light sides.
BZRK – Michael Grant
Another vision of the near future in which we go to war. The fanatical founders of the idea of a united humanity want to turn society into a swarm of bees. There is no place for individuals, everyone will act for one purpose, and free will will disappear. This is supposed to lead to general happiness and peace. Everything is set to work out thanks to nanorobots taking over the brains of state leaders. And as it happens, a group of idealists called BZRK comes up against an idea that violates human rights. Their weapons are biots, combining their DNA with spiders, snakes and jellyfish. As a result of the attack, the inventor of the opposition dies, but not his daughter, who, together with an unusual group, decides to overthrow the rule of terror. In BZRK , greed, power, and the will to possess are mixed with altruism and an important struggle against the system.
Time of Horus by Dan Abnett
The first volume of an amazing series that focuses on the figure of Horus and the war that can lead to the ruin of mankind. In the 31st millennium, the entire galaxy has been known, thanks to the ruling Emperor, who is said to never die. On the wave of success, he gives up his position, and hands over power to his son, Horus, and appoints him a Wojmaster. The ups and downs of new governments are beginning. The position that fits into the world of Warhammer, will especially appeal to military fans, because the author handles this topic very well and develops visions. Sometimes the pace slows down, but it does not interfere with the reception. Interesting look at the new commander and his struggles. A rich world, interesting intrigues, complex conflicts.
The three-body problem – Cixin Liu
The first volume of the trilogy A Memory of the Earth’s Past , which combines science fiction with scientific themes. The position has been awarded many times and conquers the whole world. It takes the reader to the beginning of the 21st century, when mankind begins to feel the consequences of an experiment created in the time of Mao. Prominent investigative physicists begin to commit suicide en masse. An unusual phenomenon leads to the online game Three Bodies, in which you have to save inhabitants who are threatened with extinction. The three suns are to contribute to this and something needs to be remedied. The problem arises when it turns out that Internet fiction may be reality. The three-body problem it is not an easy and simple book, in fact it often causes discomfort for the reader. It covers many important topics, but at the same time the language and narrative are light.
Modified Carbon by Richard Morgan
The first volume of an interesting series, the screening of which (two seasons) appeared on Netflix. The author takes us to the twenty-sixth century, where humans also conquered a galaxy they split up like their home planet. Everything is cared for by the UN Protectorate, with the help of its reliable troops (the Emissary Corps). Due to the constant development of technology, death is no longer final, after all, thanks to the cortical stack, consciousness can be saved and transferred to a new body. Of course, as long as you have the resources and can afford it. Takeshi Kovacs is a former UN Envoy and has no problem with that. He died and was reborn many times, but this time it is different, he feels more strongly, and what he had left behind now hurts him extremely. The author presents the dark side of human character in a very vivid and brutal way and
Bonus
This list could include well-known and popular items, but I did not want them to supersede the previously presented ones. This is how the section in which I will discuss the timeless titles that changed the perception of science fiction forever was created.
Time Machine – Herbert G. Wells
It can be said that Herbert G. Wells is the precursor and father of all science fiction, and many contemporary authors set him as a model. All his books are outstanding, but the Time Machine, which appeared as early as 1895, deserves special attention . For the first time, time is shown as a dimension. Thanks to this assumption, a machine was created that allows you to overcome barriers and you can go wherever you want. The main character invites his friends to a party during which he tells them an extraordinary story about his experiences. The Time Machine is one of the novels that influenced the fate of science fiction literature.
Solaris – Stanisław Lem
A bit patriotic, but I cannot imagine such a juxtaposition without Stanisław Lem, who has been hailed as one of the most prolific science fiction writers all over the world. One of his more famous books, namely Solaris, appeared in 1961. It is unique for many reasons, but the most important of them is to present the possibilities that the universe gives us. The story focuses on a space expedition where the crew hovers around a specific planet. What was previously taken to be water covering the surface is actually a living organism. The author poses many questions to the reader, and you have to work hard to find the answer. There are many philosophical outbursts here, however, they do not bore you. The author shows the enormity of the universe and makes you wonder how you can communicate with another form of life, especially one that is so unusual and intriguing.
Picnic on the edge of the road and other stories and The Overturned World and other works – Arkadij and Borys Strugacki
It is a world-class classic, and the authors are Soviet science fiction precursors. Their works have been translated into several dozen languages, and subsequent reissues appear very often. Even Stanisław Lem was their fan. The authors touch upon many important topics, such as: the genesis of good and evil, the desire for power, resistance to oppression, the role of ordinary people in society, the meaning of existence, the price of development, and more prosaic, such as the absurdities of bureaucracy. On the basis of their works, films and even a computer game were created. I encourage you to get to know the two omnibuses, because in my opinion it is a comprehensive compendium of the most important works, in which each is so different, but ultimately creates a whole.
Diuna – Frank Herbert
In this case, I must mention that the entire series is noteworthy, not just the first volume. Dune appeared for the first time in 1965 and begins the cycle Dune Chronicles series. The whole story revolves around Arrakis, the only source of melange that allows for clairvoyance and space travel. The power over him makes practically the entire universe under control. And as it happens in life, there are many people who are fighting over the drug. There are arguments, intrigues, plots, murder attempts, and all this leads to war, because everyone wants to be on top. The story unfolds among wonderful sights that are vividly portrayed until one would like to be there. In addition, unforgettable heroes, they will be remembered for a long time, and in fact they never leave her memory. History grabs the heart and chops the brain. One cannot fail to mention the very well-created villains or the monsters described in detail. The whole thing makes it one of the best series.
Grab Either – Orson Scott Card
Launched in 1985, the focus is on Ender, the youngest of three siblings, who is recognizable for his outstanding intelligence. The hero lives in a reality threatened by the invasion of space worms. Adults devise a method in which outstanding children’s units are trained as soldiers from an early age, and in the future they are to direct the Earth’s space forces. The reality presented by the author is very rich, the language is coherent and interesting, and the hero is truly unique.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
Published in 1979, the novel tells the story of a young Earthling Arthur, who one day discovers that his best friend, Ford, is an alien. He tells the protagonist that the Earth will soon be destroyed, as it is on the route of the intergalactic highway. This information is the beginning of an amazing adventure in which Arthur will set off to explore the galaxy and create a unique compendium of knowledge. The protagonist will try to get to know the cosmos and its inhabitants. Thanks to this, he will find that they are not so different from him, which will force him to reflect on humanity and the motives that guide us. A combination of specific British humor with fantasy.
2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthrur C. Clarke
Arthur C. Clarke is the creator of many works that have become part of pop culture for good. One of the most famous science fiction creators left his mark on readers and other authors. 2001: A Space Odyssey is probably his most recognizable title, which appeared in 1968 and was also screened in it. The author asks us many questions, but one of the most important is: if the universe is so big and we are conquering comos, why haven’t we met a foreign civilization to sit down and talk to it?
The action of the book focuses on the black monolith, which magically makes imperfect individuals more intelligent. The first contact with him was a primitive man. Centuries later, he is found on the lunar surface, sending a signal towards Jupiter. The process begins, and two daredevils decide to investigate the phenomenon. However, it will not be without adventures. Once again, the author presents us with a vision of great changes.
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