2017 Aug 18
The genre of Science Fiction has always been compelling to readers around the world. Science Fiction novels combine the suspense of a mystery, excitement of a thriller, and completely unique concepts which are wondrous to read. As such, we have listed below the best Science Fiction books to get your hands on!
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Dune – Frank Herbert
Set in the far future amidst a sprawling feudal interstellar empire where planetary dynasties are controlled by noble houses that owe an allegiance to the imperial House Corrino, Dune tells the story of young Paul Atreides as he and his family accept control of the desert planet Arrakis, the only source of the ‘spice’ melange, the most important and valuable substance in the cosmos. The story explores the complex, multi-layered interactions of politics, religion, ecology, technology, and human emotion as the forces of the empire confront each other for control of Arrakis.
Dune was published in 1965, and it consequently won the Hugo Award in 1966, and inaugural Nebula Award for Best Novel. Dune is known worldwide as one of the best science fiction novels ever. Herbert created a completely unique and captivating world, with a storyline to match. His first novel laid the foundation for the Dune Chronicles series. Herbert’s unique writing style may not be compelling towards all readers. However, Dune is certainly worth a try.
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1984 – George Orwell
Winston Smith toes the Party line, rewriting history to satisfy the demands of the Ministry of Truth. With each lie he writes, Winston grows to hate the Party that seeks power for its own sake and persecutes those who dare to commit thought crimes. But as he starts to think for himself, Winston can’t escape the fact that Big Brother is always watching…
George Orwell’s extremely popular novel was written in 1948, prophesizing the future of 1984. This dystopian novel of a government which will do anything to control the narrative is highly relevant even today. 1984 showed us a startling and haunting version of the world. From the beginning to the end, this novel will capture you whole. As the years pass, Orwell’s novel has become a classic which never gets old.
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Fahrenheit 451 – Ray Bradbury
Guy Montag is a fireman. His job is to burn books, which are forbidden, being the source of all discord and unhappiness. Even so, Montag is unhappy; there is discord in his marriage. Are books hidden in his house? The Mechanical Hound of the Fire Department, armed with a lethal hypodermic, escorted by helicopters, is ready to track down those dissidents who defy society to preserve and read books.
Fahrenheit 451 is truly a masterwork of 20th century literature. It is a classic dystopian novel which is an account of the slow descent of civilization into an enslavement by media, drugs, and conformity. Although many dystopian novels since have tackled a similar theme, Fahrenheit 451 is a classic which still has the power to shock its readers.
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A Wrinkle in Time – Madeleine L’Engle
It was a dark and stormy night; Meg Murry, her small brother Charles Wallace, and her mother had come down to the kitchen when they were upset by the arrival of a most disturbing stranger. “Wild nights are my glory,” the unearthly stranger told them. “I just got caught in a downdraft and blown off course. Let me be on my way. Speaking of way, by the way, there is such a thing as a tesseract”. Meg’s father had been experimenting with this fifth dimension of time travel when he mysteriously disappeared. Now the time has come for Meg, her friend Calvin, and Charles Wallace to rescue him. But can they outwit the forces of evil they will encounter on their heart-stopping journey through space?
A Wrinkle in Time is Madeleine L’Engle’s most popular novel, which has certainly made it to many high school reading lists. A classic novel, it is loved by readers around the world. The powerful role models in the book make it perfect for younger readers exploring the world of science fiction. Although it may appear oversimplified to adult readers, it is perfect for its target audience.
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Brave New World – Aldous Huxley
Far in the future, the World Controllers have created the ideal society. Through clever use of genetic engineering, brainwashing and recreational sex and drugs, all its members are happy consumers. Bernard Marx seems alone harbouring an ill-defined longing to break free. A visit to one of the few remaining Savage Reservations, where the old, imperfect life still continues, may be the cure for his distress…
Brave New World is considered Huxley’s best novel to date. It is a thought provoking and highly interesting novel which questions the very basis of human wants and desires. It is a controversial vision of the future where everything is based on logical principles, and yet nothing is perfect. It is certainly an unusual dystopian novel.
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Ender’s Game – Orson Scott Card
Andrew “Ender” Wiggin thinks he is playing computer simulated war games; he is, in fact, engaged in something far more desperate. The result of genetic experimentation, Ender may be the military genius Earth desperately needs in a war against an alien enemy seeking to destroy all human life. The only way to find out is to throw Ender into ever harsher training, to chip away and find the diamond inside, or destroy him utterly. Ender Wiggin is six years old when it begins. He will grow up fast.
Ender’s Game laid the foundation for the quintet series penned by Orson Scott Card. It is classic science fiction at its best. The main character has been written well, and the straightforward storyline is refreshing. Although it is highly controversial, the book is also highly entertaining and will be best-loved by science fiction enthusiasts.
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Foundation – Isaac Asimov
For twelve thousand years the Galactic Empire has ruled supreme. Now it is dying. But only Hari Seldon, creator of the revolutionary science of psychohistory, can see into the future — to a dark age of ignorance, barbarism, and warfare that will last thirty thousand years. To preserve knowledge and save mankind, Seldon gathers the best minds in the Empire — and brings them to a bleak planet at the edge of the Galaxy to serve as a beacon of hope for a future generations. He calls his sanctuary the Foundation. But soon the fledgling Foundation finds itself at the mercy of corrupt warlords rising in the wake of the receding Empire. Mankind’s last best hope is faced with an agonizing choice: submit to the barbarians and be overrun — or fight them and be destroyed.
Asimov’s novel inspired a trilogy and a prequel series as well. It has a number of interesting concepts, such as religion as a means of control, psychohistory and others. The novel deals with wide concepts and humanity as a whole, rather than focusing on the development of individual characters. Asimov has created a very imaginative world which deals with social and political issues, alongside sci-fi and fantasy.
