My Top Sci-Fi List (So Far, 2023)
Two types of people don’t like good science fiction books. People who don’t like books. People who believe the earth is flat.
Joking aside, there are many misconceptions about Sci-Fi books. These misconceptions keep people from a peak into a fascinating story or description of a possible world in its extreme. Check whether you hold one of the following beliefs.
Sci-fi is all about spaceships and aliens.
Sci-fi is pure escapism and lacks literary value.
Sci-fi is always set in the distant future.
Sci-fi is purely speculative and lacks real-world relevance.
Sci-fi is solely focused on technology.
Sci-fi is only for "geeks" or "nerds.”
…
I will introduce you to my favorite 5 Sci-Fi books I have ever read. Let them be the icebreaker between you and a brand new perspective of the world. Or you will tell me that we have a similar great taste.
No.1 The Three-Body Problem Trilogy (三体), by Liu Cixin.
What is the feeling of experiencing the entire lifespan of the universe? No one knows. But there are two times I believe I get a taste of it. One is after turning the last page of the trilogy. One was seven years ago.
It was a cool summer night. I was on a plateau atop a hill several kilometers from the nearest town. No artificial lights. No trees. No clouds. Only a clear sky, an occasional breeze, and I. I lay on the ground to enjoy the silence. Only one minute into the stillness of staring between two and millions of eyes, things start to change. First, the sky's rotation became so obvious that I felt dizzy following it. Then, the endless darkness and extreme brightness start to fall. The heaviness built on, and it was accelerating. I couldn’t breathe. Physically. My chest was pressed by nothing, but my heart was fighting to survive. There were mixed feelings of surprise, excitement, confusion, and fear. It was the reaction of facing a power that is harmless and greatest at the same time. I felt I knew everything but understood nothing.
This is what I like about this trilogy. Liu brings the insignificance of human beings in front of a reader layer by layer through meticulous narrative. This is the beauty and power of Hard Science Fiction. This subgenre emphasizes scientific accuracy and explores the impact of real or plausible scientific concepts and principles.
It is too good to spoil the plot. A must-read.
No.2 Foundation, by Isaac Asimov.
These series explore the concept of psychohistory, a fictional mathematical and psychological science developed by the protagonist, Hari Seldon. Set in a distant future, humanity has spread across the galaxy and formed a vast empire known as the Galactic Empire, which is on the brink of collapse. Seldon predicts this impending downfall using psychohistory, a field that can statistically predict the behavior of large populations. To mitigate the chaos and ensure a shorter period of barbarism, Seldon establishes the Foundation, a secluded planet at the edge of the galaxy, to serve as a beacon of knowledge and civilization. The story unfolds across several centuries, depicting the Foundation's challenges as it strives to fulfill its purpose and navigate the machinations of political factions.
Throughout the novel, Asimov explores themes such as the cyclical nature of history, the power of knowledge and scientific understanding, and the struggle for survival and progress in the face of societal collapse. It is not only a tale of political intrigue and scientific prophecy but also a meditation on the relationship between individuals and the vast forces of history. It presents a captivating vision of a future society and offers a thought-provoking exploration of humanity's capacity for change and adaptation.
A must-read.
No.3 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams.
Differentiating from all other recommendations, this is a thousand pages of sarcasm and jokes. The least serious work on this list. Here are two of my favorite lines.
One of the things Ford Prefect had always found hardest to understand about humans was their habit of continually stating and repeating the very very obvious, as in It’s a nice day, or You’re very tall, or Oh dear you seem to have fallen down a thirty-foot well, are you all right? At first Ford had formed a theory to account for this strange behavior. If human beings don’t keep exercising their lips, he thought, their mouths probably seize up. After a few months’ consideration and observation he abandoned this theory in favor of a new one. If they don’t keep on exercising their lips, he thought, their brains start working.
The ships hung in the sky in much the same way that bricks don’t.
Oh, one more thing. This is where the magic number 42 came from, “the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything.”
An entertaining read.
No.4 The Handmaid's Tale, by Margaret Atwood.
The Handmaid’s Tale is a Social Science Fiction. It is a dystopian novel set in a future society called Gilead, where a totalitarian regime has taken control of the United States. The story is narrated by Offred, a handmaid whose sole purpose is to bear children for elite couples. The core concept revolves around the oppression and subjugation of women in a patriarchal society.
The scary part of the book is that it doesn’t seem to be far between such a world and reality.
No.5 Neuromancer, by William Gibson.
Neuromancer is considered the beginning and foundational work of the cyberpunk genre. I believe this is one of the most popular genres of Sci-Fi in books, movies, and TV series in recent years.
The book explores themes such as the blurred boundaries between humans and machines, the implications of a hyperconnected world, and the consequences of unchecked corporate power. It delves into the dark and gritty aspects of a future where technology permeates every aspect of life. The characters struggle with their identities and the moral complexities of this technologically advanced society.
And yes, the paragraph above is written by ChatGPT.