Thursday, February 26, 2009
Humorous/Satirical Science Fiction Books
Satirical Science Fiction Books often have a deeper meaning, criticizing the way society is or making fun of certain beliefs. But not always! Sometimes, these books just make you laugh because they are damn funny! Here again, the books mentioned are classics that cannot disappoint any enthusiastic reader, even is science fiction is not his main interest.
1. "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" by Douglas Adams
The book consists of 5 novels with the same storyline:
a) "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy"- 1979
b) "The Restaurant at the End of the Universe"- 1980
c) "Life, the Universe and Everything" - 1982
d) "So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish" - 1984
e) "Mostly Harmless" - 1992
Summary:
Eventhough these books were written at different periods, they all have the same main charachter and should be read as 1 book. The story starts with the imminent destruction of planet Earth by aliens. Arthur, the main charachter, suddenly discovers that his best friend, Ford, is actually an alien who came to Earth on a mission. Ford posseses the "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy", an intergalactic reference book with information on all the planets and populations of the universe. Just before Earth's destruction, Arthur and Ford are able to board on a spaceship and avoid being annihilated with the destruction of the Earth. They embark on galaxy-spanning trip where they will discover many worlds and hilarious extraterrestial species. Among those is Zaphod Beeblebox, the mad President of the Galaxy and Marvin, the depressed robot. Page after page, Adams deploys a comical universe. This is a masterpiece. Beware of not pissing on yourself of laughter while you read it!
2. “The Sirens of Titan” by Kurt Vonnegut
Year published: 1959
Summary:
The central character is Malachi Constant, the richest American in the 22nd century. Constant is not doing anything interesting from his life except being lucky and rich. Against his will, Constant is sent to Mars in a training camp, where soldiers are psychologically monitored to prepare an invasion of Earth.
As with many good science fiction books, the story is hard to resume. Vonnegut’s imagination has no limits, and space-time theories are twisted in ways that make sense out of this otherwise senseless story. The prose of the book is (as with all of Vonnegut’s work) majestic. The unimaginable situations and characters encountered in this book make it an amusing book to read. “The Sirens of Titan” is a must read for anyone interested in good books in general, and a great introduction book to one of the best American writers ever: Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.
3. “The Space Merchants” by Frederik Pohl and Cyril M. Kornbluth
Year published: 1953
Summary:
This classical SF book is a satirical novel taking place in a future Earth where advertising has taken over every other ideology. The masters of the world are here advertisement companies. The protagonist, Mitch Courtenay, is a master copywriter working for one of the two giant advertisement companies. His new mission is to build an ad campaign to attract colonists to the inhospitable planet Venus. But things do not unfold as they should, and Courtenay falls into a spiral that takes him from the highest spheres of power to the lowest echelons of society. This trip makes him change his point of view upon the society in which he lives. This science fiction book is a little masterpiece of satirical, comical and intriguing writing.
Psycho-mindblowing Science Fiction Books
By psycho-mindblowing I really mean that these books must have been written while on acid or some other kind of psychedelic drugs (and they sometimes where). The king of this genre is for me Philip K. Dick. I already hear many true SF fans shouting and throwing virtual tomatoes to my face for limiting Philip K. Dick to this little genre of "prose written under influence..."
Therefore I wish to reassure you all by saying that Philip K. Dick is not only one of the best SF writers there is but also one of the best writer across any genre.
Dick's capacity of creating faulty futures and often hilarious storytelling is an art. His main charachter is generally a man in his thirties who, against his will, is embarked in an unsettling set of events. The charachter is always having relational problems with women (Dick was married 5 times) and has the loser spirit, feeling unhappy with his life in general.
The storytelling is often genially twisted and leaves the reader in a sentiment of not really understanding what is happening.
This is a list of Dick's best books in my opinion. I will not try to resume them as these books as it is quite impossible and might even be insulting to Dick's genius . Just trust me and read those:
1. The Game-Players of Titan - 1963
2. Flow My Tears, The Policeman Said - 1974
3. A Maze of Death - 1970
4. Our Friends From Frolix-8 - 1970
5. The Man in the High Castle - 1962
Therefore I wish to reassure you all by saying that Philip K. Dick is not only one of the best SF writers there is but also one of the best writer across any genre.
Dick's capacity of creating faulty futures and often hilarious storytelling is an art. His main charachter is generally a man in his thirties who, against his will, is embarked in an unsettling set of events. The charachter is always having relational problems with women (Dick was married 5 times) and has the loser spirit, feeling unhappy with his life in general.
The storytelling is often genially twisted and leaves the reader in a sentiment of not really understanding what is happening.
This is a list of Dick's best books in my opinion. I will not try to resume them as these books as it is quite impossible and might even be insulting to Dick's genius . Just trust me and read those:
1. The Game-Players of Titan - 1963
2. Flow My Tears, The Policeman Said - 1974
3. A Maze of Death - 1970
4. Our Friends From Frolix-8 - 1970
5. The Man in the High Castle - 1962
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Epic Science Fiction Books
Epic Science Fiction Books have generally a wide scope. These stories often happen on many worlds, including various societies, characters and storylines. Some of these books are series. Authors have tried to extend the success of their initial stories by making the characters evolve or by intertwining new characters in the same world that they created. Often, these following books do not match the power of the first one. They can even be great disappointments.
Some of the books mentioned beneath are classics you may have heard about. If you haven’t yet read them, do take action and read them! There is no chance in the world you can be disappointed.
Best Epic Science Fiction Books:
1. “Dune” by Frank Herbert
Year published: 1965
Summary:
The story of Paul Atreides and his family, which moves from their home-planet to the mysterious and desert planet Arrakis. The Atreides are one of the ruling families in Dune’s universe. On Arrakis, Paul will have to face his destiny and use his gifts and talents in order to survive and change the world.
Through the whole story we follow a range of plotlines illustrated by various characters. Slowly, the reader begins to uncover the political, spiritual and economical complexity of the Dune universe. “Dune” is simply a mesmerizing masterpiece.
P.S. DO NOT read any of the sequels. They are mediocre books that cast a shadow on the original one.
2. “Foundation” by Isaac Asimov
The Foundation story includes the following books:
a) “Foundation” – 1951
b) “Foundation and Empire” – 1952
c) “Second Foundation” – 1953
Summary:
Isaac Asimov wrote many novels and short stories related to the Foundation Universe, but this trilogy is really the greatest part of it. For me they should be read as one. Set in a declining Intergalactic Empire, containing millions of planets, scientist Harry Seldon creates the Foundation. The Foundation is the result of the revolutionary new science “psychohistory”. The Foundation is a group of scientists sent to a distant planet in order to colonize a new world. Psychohistory enables its practitioners to predict the probable course of history. Through centuries we follow the development of the Foundation colony, as the little world slowly to become a major player in the galactic universe. This series is, together with "Dune", the Best Epic Science Fiction Book there is.
3. "Ender's Game" by Orson Scott Card
This is a vast series subdivided into "Ender's Game" and "Ender's Shadow" Series. I will only mention the ones which are some of the best science fiction books ever. These books could even be read a separate ones, but I'll still recommend the following order:
Some of the books mentioned beneath are classics you may have heard about. If you haven’t yet read them, do take action and read them! There is no chance in the world you can be disappointed.
Best Epic Science Fiction Books:
1. “Dune” by Frank Herbert
Year published: 1965
Summary:
The story of Paul Atreides and his family, which moves from their home-planet to the mysterious and desert planet Arrakis. The Atreides are one of the ruling families in Dune’s universe. On Arrakis, Paul will have to face his destiny and use his gifts and talents in order to survive and change the world.
Through the whole story we follow a range of plotlines illustrated by various characters. Slowly, the reader begins to uncover the political, spiritual and economical complexity of the Dune universe. “Dune” is simply a mesmerizing masterpiece.
P.S. DO NOT read any of the sequels. They are mediocre books that cast a shadow on the original one.
2. “Foundation” by Isaac Asimov
The Foundation story includes the following books:
a) “Foundation” – 1951
b) “Foundation and Empire” – 1952
c) “Second Foundation” – 1953
Summary:
Isaac Asimov wrote many novels and short stories related to the Foundation Universe, but this trilogy is really the greatest part of it. For me they should be read as one. Set in a declining Intergalactic Empire, containing millions of planets, scientist Harry Seldon creates the Foundation. The Foundation is the result of the revolutionary new science “psychohistory”. The Foundation is a group of scientists sent to a distant planet in order to colonize a new world. Psychohistory enables its practitioners to predict the probable course of history. Through centuries we follow the development of the Foundation colony, as the little world slowly to become a major player in the galactic universe. This series is, together with "Dune", the Best Epic Science Fiction Book there is.
3. "Ender's Game" by Orson Scott Card
This is a vast series subdivided into "Ender's Game" and "Ender's Shadow" Series. I will only mention the ones which are some of the best science fiction books ever. These books could even be read a separate ones, but I'll still recommend the following order:
Monday, February 16, 2009
Types of Science Fiction Books
When mentioning "science fiction" many ignorant readers imagine Luke Skywalker fighting on some kind of galactic ship. Or they could also imagine Star Trek-type kitsch charachters with pointed ears, talking over a radio signal on a space ship which seems to only consist of two or three rooms.
The visions of these 80's images would repulse more than one potential SF reader.
I am not here saying that these kitschy scenes do not have interesting charachters or (even) stories. Nor do I doubt their capacities at unraveling ones child-like imagination. The problem is that many people are having a limited view of what science fiction really has to offer. They are not aware of the immense contributions of science fiction. If you are one of these people that somehow cannot relate to a TV scene having greenish, puppet-like charachters talking to eachother on a space ship, then this blog is made for you.
So this type of Trekkie science fiction is NOT what I am talking about. The books that are recommended here are all genial works, often well written and always intelligent and intriguing.
To help you make some order in the vast (trash like) ocean of available types of SF I have categorized "The Best of the Best" books into the following four categories:
Epic science fiction: These books often involve many worlds or societies, multiple charachters, sometimes several storylines, a hero or messiah.
Humorous or satirical science fiction: The stories one or many funny charachters or an hilarious (often provocative) situation or setting. These books make you piss on yourself from laughter and at the same time make you dream with their creative genius.
Psycho-mindblowing science fiction: These books are not for the feint-hearted. You will be totally amazed by the mind boggling turnings of the stories. Sometimes seriously delirious stuff - not for everyone.
Unclassified: The titles mentioned under this heading are great SF books which do not fall into any of the three previous categories.
The visions of these 80's images would repulse more than one potential SF reader.
I am not here saying that these kitschy scenes do not have interesting charachters or (even) stories. Nor do I doubt their capacities at unraveling ones child-like imagination. The problem is that many people are having a limited view of what science fiction really has to offer. They are not aware of the immense contributions of science fiction. If you are one of these people that somehow cannot relate to a TV scene having greenish, puppet-like charachters talking to eachother on a space ship, then this blog is made for you.
So this type of Trekkie science fiction is NOT what I am talking about. The books that are recommended here are all genial works, often well written and always intelligent and intriguing.
To help you make some order in the vast (trash like) ocean of available types of SF I have categorized "The Best of the Best" books into the following four categories:
Epic science fiction: These books often involve many worlds or societies, multiple charachters, sometimes several storylines, a hero or messiah.
Humorous or satirical science fiction: The stories one or many funny charachters or an hilarious (often provocative) situation or setting. These books make you piss on yourself from laughter and at the same time make you dream with their creative genius.
Psycho-mindblowing science fiction: These books are not for the feint-hearted. You will be totally amazed by the mind boggling turnings of the stories. Sometimes seriously delirious stuff - not for everyone.
Unclassified: The titles mentioned under this heading are great SF books which do not fall into any of the three previous categories.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Read the Best of the Best of SF
This blog is for anyone interested in science fiction litterature but doesn't know where to start.
SF litterature comes in all forms and colors. From epic histories of the future to short sarcastic novels.
This blog guarentees you that all the titles recommended heare are great page turners, which will probably blow your mind through its creative genius.
There are many authors and books to chose from. But why bother with mediocre or even good books when there are a number of immense (and often underestimated) masterpieces waiting to be devoured?
Just go over the reviews, and search for a story, charachter or universe that makes you dream. Read it, you won't regret it...
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