Top 10 Science Fiction Books
Reading is an enjoyable activity, and as you know there are numerous literature genres. In what follows I am going to present you the top 10 science-fiction books. These are the books which I believe that managed to truly represent the genre.
10. The novel Neuromancer has been written by William Gibson and it has been published in the ‘80s. It caused quite a stir when it was released because the novel uses visual power and imagery in a manner which the previous books did not manage to do it. The novel is set in a near-future world, and it helped to popularize the cyberpunk genre. Case is the main character of the novel and he is a console cowboy who has linked his brain with the computer; as a result he is able to steal precious computer data. He is hired by a mysterious employer to work on the ultimate and most difficult hack so far. It is a novel full of adventure.
9. Dune is a science fiction novel written by Frank Herbert and published in 1965. Many people consider it to be the best-selling science fiction novel in history. The novel is slightly complicated, as it is set in the future in which the power is controlled by various Houses, in a manner similar to our feudal system. Paul Atreides is the main character of the novel, in which he and his family move to Arrakis, which the only planet that contains the spice mélange, the most important substance in the world. The novel is a story about technology, religion, economy, politics, and human emotions. You will follow Paul’s fate as he faces many difficulties and obstacles.
8. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is a science fiction comedy series which has been written by Douglas Adams. The main character of the novel is Arthur Dent, who together with Ford Prefect who is alien from a close planet escapes Earth which has been destroyed by the Vogons, which are also an alien race. The two make unusual friends and have lots of adventures while they are on their path to find the planet of Magrathea and the Question to the Ultimate Answer.
7. Slaughterhouse-Five is a novel written by Kurt Vonnegut which has been published in 1969. It is also called The Children’s Crusade: A Duty-Dance with Death. The book is very interesting because it combines the Second World War with time traveling. Billy Pilgrim who is the main character of the story, has been captured by the Germans and is forced to live in a prison. He has been stuck in time and he is able to visit certain periods of his life. He is later capture by aliens and he is taken to Tralfamadore, where he must live with Montana Wildhack, a pornographic movie star in a zoo.
6. 1984 was written by George Orwell one year prior to his death. He wanted to show the dangers of totalitarianism, by presenting the world in a dystopian manner in which the ruler is Big Brother. Sex has been banned, and it is only to be used for reproduction. The novel was written four years after the end of the Second World War, and makes use of the fear that arose after that period. The world has been split into three zones: Oceania, Eurasia, and Eastasia. Winston Smith is the main character of the novel and he lives in Oceania where he must live under strict supervision. It is a truly interesting book.
5. Fahrenheit 451, a novel written by Ray Bradbury is a novel similar to 1984, in the sense that it features a future world set in a dystopian universe. Guy Montag is the main character of the novel, and he is a firefighter. The main task of the firefighters in the novel was to burn books. The title is given by the temperature at which the books burn in the novel. The people are not allowed to read books, their only form of entertainment being television. Those who own books must suffer the consequences, and they are not nice.
4. 2001 A Space Odyssey was written in the same time movie was made. The book was written by Arthur C. Clarke, whereas the movie was made by Stanley Kubrick. The book was published after the release of the movie. The movie and the book tell the story of an ancient and hidden alien race that search for worlds in the Universe and want to convince them to develop. The novel was followed by three other novels. No movies were made after the three novels which followed.
3. The Lensman series was the first set of science fiction novels created as a series. The series were created by E E Smith, and they truly represent the science fiction genre. These series defined the genre as it introduced many elements which were later used in other science fiction works including TV series, movies, and books as well. These series set a trend which continues up to this point and it is very unlikely that it will ever stop.
2. Stranger in a strange land, the novel written by Robert Heinlein, tells the story of Valentine Michael Smith, a human who was raised by Martians. He returns home to Earth when he is an adult. The novel presents his adjustment to the Earth customs, and it features many taboo topics such as cannibalism, nudism, and homosexuality. The book became a cult classic as it was aimed not only for the ones who enjoy science fiction.
1. The Time Machine is the book that takes the number one spot. Think about it, the book was written in 1895, yet H. G Wells managed to predict many things which today are a reality. The book is more than a science fiction novel, as it deals with such issues as social classes, poverty, the overuse of technology, and so on. This book coined the term “Time Machine”.
These are the ten books which I consider to represent the science fiction genre. Which one do you like?
