Greatest literary science fiction story of all time - nominations

[Isgrimnur]

Alas, Babylon

[TheMix]

I read the paperback in college, mostly on the "L" going to school and finished the 800-page novel in a week.

Pages 494

[Pyperkub]

I'll add;

The Left Hand of Darkness - Ursula K. Le Guin
Hyperion - Dan Simmons

Are these two recommendations in any way similar?

I tried to read The Left Hand of Darkness a few times and just bounced hard off it every time. The dryness. So....dry.

You have bad taste in books, so you probably wouldn't like Hyperion.

Seriously though, I don't think they are that similar to each other.

Hyperion is a collection of related short stories, structured like the Cantebury Tales.
Left Hand of Darkness is the bone dry story of an envoy, sent to an alien world.

Hyperion is my favorite book, and I must clarify this. It is long, so in the US, it was split into two books. The first book is as described, a group of people on a voyage to Hyperion, telling their life stories with the goal of trying to figure out why they’ve all been put together. Each story is told in a different style (military, horror, noir, etc.) and each is compelling in its own way. I know a lot of people who stop after the first book though, and thought it was ok, but didn’t really understand the point. That’s because it’s just the setup for the actual story! The second book tells the story of what happens when they arrive at the destination. It doesn’t have the novelty storytelling of the first book, but is a mind- bending journey that is well worth the time investment.

I'm one of those people who bounced pretty hard off of the first book. I didn't and still don't care enough to try again - it just didn't grab me at all.

[Pyperkub]

I'll add;

The Left Hand of Darkness - Ursula K. Le Guin
...

From the "literary" standpoint, this was my first thought. We even had to read it in my SF English Lit course in College.

A Canticle for Leibowicz was another I remember being rather literary in its ambitions.

[Ralph-Wiggum]

I need to read A Canticle for Leibowitz again. I read it in 7th grade (I pretty much read whatever my oldest brother was reading) but I’m pretty sure I a lot went over my head.

[hepcat]

I read the paperback in college, mostly on the "L" going to school and finished the 800-page novel in a week.

Pages 494

I'll wait for the second half. Hepcat don't do half ass.

[Jeff V]

I read the paperback in college, mostly on the "L" going to school and finished the 800-page novel in a week.

Pages 494

per Librarything:

Lucifer's Hammer: A Novel by Larry Niven
Del Rey (1985), Edition: Illustrated, 640 pages

Paperback, ISBN 0449208133

Other Authors: Pournelle, Jerry

And this was not the version I read, I could not find stats for what I would have bought in 1980-81. Still, it was a fat paperback, 640 might be right, especially when you consider this was over 40 years ago and the braincells that contained this precise information have long ago been destroyed, likely in an alcohol-related incident.

[FishPants]

I really enjoyed the expanse series, but that's already been mentioned. Some other interesting reads "The Legend of Zero" - it's by no means a literary "great" but if you're looking for a good story; I found I enjoyed the series while pounding margaritas on the beach in Mexico - so I guess take it for what it's worth.

The Silo Series by Hugh Howey is excellent, and sounds like it might be up your alley. Start with Wool and see if you like it, I was hot/cold at first but grew to really like the storyline.

[Hipolito]

Hinterlands, short story by William Gibson.

It's a thought provoking piece about humanity's thirst for knowledge and the price we're willing to pay to get it. But it also gets right down to the individual level of human resilience vs. frailty. And it's creepy as hell in an existential, sticks in your mind kind of way.

I love Hinterlands, too. It's my favorite story from Burning Chrome.

[Pyperkub]

I read the paperback in college, mostly on the "L" going to school and finished the 800-page novel in a week.

Pages 494

per Librarything:

Lucifer's Hammer: A Novel by Larry Niven
Del Rey (1985), Edition: Illustrated, 640 pages

Paperback, ISBN 0449208133

Other Authors: Pournelle, Jerry

And this was not the version I read, I could not find stats for what I would have bought in 1980-81. Still, it was a fat paperback, 640 might be right, especially when you consider this was over 40 years ago and the braincells that contained this precise information have long ago been destroyed, likely in an alcohol-related incident.

Remember also that paperbacks then had smaller print and margins.

[Zarathud]

I've got a copy of Hyperion but never started it. I've always meant to though as it sounds fascinating.

DO IT.

Seriously. Don’t make me come over there and force you.

[Zarathud]

The Player of Games - Iain M. Banks

Just this (second) book in the series, or all of them?

All of the books in the Culture series are excellent. This one is my personal favorite. There are some continuing themes throughout the series, but they all can stand alone.

I still almost threw this trash across the room…on my Kindle.

The Culture series is where science fiction is strangled by the hand of impersonal dogma. Fuck that bullshit.

[Jaymann]

The Player of Games - Iain M. Banks

Just this (second) book in the series, or all of them?

All of the books in the Culture series are excellent. This one is my personal favorite. There are some continuing themes throughout the series, but they all can stand alone.

I still almost threw this trash across the room…on my Kindle.

The Culture series is where science fiction is strangled by the hand of impersonal dogma. Fuck that bullshit.

Wow that's a pretty strong reaction. I tried Vernor Vinge, but it wasn't my cuppa so I moved on to find something I liked. But as Theodore Sturgeon said, 90% of everything is crap. It's the search for that 10% that makes it worthwhile.

[dbt1949]

I don't believe Old Man's War has been mentioned.

[Hrothgar]

The SimpsonsNPR did it first

It's a really good list. Some of my non-common favorites were Perdido Street Station, Lucifer's Hammer, Red Mars, A Fire Upon the Deep, and Sunshine (fantasy).

I've read a shocking amount of that top 100 list. Caves of Steel by Asimov and the Space Trilogy by C.S. Lewis from that list, I don't think have been mentioned. Lewis, of course, is going to talk about God. That might put off some people.

There was a time when I read nearly everything by William Gibson.

[Hyena]

I read this before the movie was made and I just totally loved it... I don’t think I saw it mentioned yet.

Jurassic Park

I'm one of those heathens that prefers to see the movie before I read the book, and it's because of this novel. I read it and LOVED the book, but when I saw the movie, I saw all the things they left out and was a bit disappointed. Don't get me wrong, the movie was great, but I wish I had seen it first so I wasn't underwhelmed compared to the book.

[Carpet_pissr]

I’ve heard that the relationship between the Jurassic Park book vs movie is much like the one between The Starship Troopers book/movie.

[Jeff V]

I don't believe Old Man's War has been mentioned.

Says the oldest man here.

[dbt1949]

Closest to the age I get a perfect green body.

[Archinerd]

I read the paperback in college, mostly on the "L" going to school and finished the 800-page novel in a week.

Pages 494

per Librarything:

Lucifer's Hammer: A Novel by Larry Niven
Del Rey (1985), Edition: Illustrated, 640 pages

Paperback, ISBN 0449208133

Other Authors: Pournelle, Jerry

And this was not the version I read, I could not find stats for what I would have bought in 1980-81. Still, it was a fat paperback, 640 might be right, especially when you consider this was over 40 years ago and the braincells that contained this precise information have long ago been destroyed, likely in an alcohol-related incident.

Just pulled my signed copy from the shelf.
Fawcett Crest (1977), Edition: 640 pages

The signature is from someone called "Donna Hubbard" though, so I doubt that increases the value.

[Archinerd]

I don't believe Old Man's War has been mentioned.

I read that as my final book in my own space war trilogy a few years ago (I had never read any of them before).
Each one stands on the shoulders of the previous. Old Man's War was probably the most pulpy of the bunch, but it's a fun read.

1. The Forever War
2. Starship Troopers
3. Old Man's War

Actually, I didn't stop with Old Man's War. I read on and finished the whole 6 book series. None are quite as good as the first, but they were all pretty good. Zoe's Tale was the hardest read, but I can't remember why.

[dbt1949]

I just got them all but have only read the first three so far.

[Madmarcus]

Lord of Light by Zelazny

[Jaymann]

Lord of Light by Zelazny

+1. And I would absolutely include the Amber series if it can be considered science fiction.

[Holman]

You're all getting Fantasy chocolate in my Science-Fiction peanut butter.

[Jolor]

Nominating 'This Is How You Lose the Time War' (El Mothar, Gladstone). The future is shaped into two, divergent outcomes. The past is manipulated through time travel and deliciously subtle manipulation of events (here is its brilliance as hard sci-fi is mixed with historical story-telling) but it is the humanity that provides the sole beacon of light, hope, and salvation - and the possibility of a different outcome. Unless they fail, of course.

[Jaymann]

Nominating 'This Is How You Lose the Time War' (El Mothar, Gladstone). The future is shaped into two, divergent outcomes. The past is manipulated through time travel and deliciously subtle manipulation of events (here is its brilliance as hard sci-fi is mixed with historical story-telling) but it is the humanity that provides the sole beacon of light, hope, and salvation - and the possibility of a different outcome. Unless they fail, of course.

Sounds right up my alley, will check it out.

[Holman]

Yes!

[hitbyambulance]

Yes!

de-twitterfying:
https://variety.com/2021/film/news/deni ... 235134136/

this is a natural choice for Villeneuve to adapt - it fits his style well.

[Pyperkub]

Nominating 'This Is How You Lose the Time War' (El Mothar, Gladstone). The future is shaped into two, divergent outcomes. The past is manipulated through time travel and deliciously subtle manipulation of events (here is its brilliance as hard sci-fi is mixed with historical story-telling) but it is the humanity that provides the sole beacon of light, hope, and salvation - and the possibility of a different outcome. Unless they fail, of course.

Meh

Spoiler:

It's a romance love story, not SF!

[Archinerd]

Yes!

de-twitterfying:
https://variety.com/2021/film/news/deni ... 235134136/

this is a natural choice for Villeneuve to adapt - it fits his style well.

Absolutely looking forward to this.

[Jeff V]

I'm gonna nominate the Dune Prequels, sequels, and equals by Brian Herbert just to piss off Hepcat, who has read none of them.

[Zarathud]

LOL Jeff V

[hepcat]

I'm gonna nominate the Dune Prequels, sequels, and equals by Brian Herbert just to piss off Hepcat, who has read none of them.

I haven't read the 50 Shades of Grey novels either and I'm pretty sure they suck.

p.s. I'm sure you love the books and to be honest, I really am just teasing you...mostly. However, I have read synopsis of his books and I don't like the changes he's made in tone or content. I think they go against the core of Frank's books in some ways.

[Grifman]

The Voyage of the Space Beagle by A. E. van Vogt.
Or anything else by him.
Same for Poul Anderson.

I didn't realize anyone else was an A. E. van Vogt fan. I've got a bunch of his books. There were one or two that fell a bit flat, but mostly I've really enjoyed every one that I've read.

I have so many sci-fi books that I've enjoyed. For now I'll just say, it's hard to go wrong with any that win a Nebula and a Hugo.

I am a fan also. A great classic "Golden Age" writer.

[Daehawk]

Does it count that I read all the Tom Swift books as a kid?

[Grifman]

Here are my favorites:

Old Man's War
Forever War
Foundation Series
Dune (original book, not so much the others)
The Mote in God's Eye (the best ever book about man-alien first contact with an ingenious unique alien civilization with a dark secret)
Red Rising series (5 of 6 planned books out)
Expanse series
Guns of the South (time travel novel where South African white nationalists time travel back to 1864 and supply Lee's army with AK-47's)

[Holman]

Guns of the South (time travel novel where South African white nationalists time travel back to 1864 and supply Lee's army with AK-47's)

That's a good one!

And, interestingly, even though it's alternate history it was praised by James McPherson (one of the greatest ACW historians) for truly understanding the culture and experience of the war.

[Daehawk]

Has anyone read Frederik Pohl's The Day the Icicle Works Closed?

Is it a mess or is it a good read? The web thinks highly of it.

http://adventuresfantastic.com/futuresp ... ks-closed/

[Jaymann]

Guns of the South (time travel novel where South African white nationalists time travel back to 1864 and supply Lee's army with AK-47's)

That's a good one!

And, interestingly, even though it's alternate history it was praised by James McPherson (one of the greatest ACW historians) for truly understanding the culture and experience of the war.

I read that, but I think I abandoned it after the South won the war.