Selected Annotated Science Fiction Works
Do
Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick
This novel, the inspiration for the movie
Bladerunner, presents a somewhat grim, but also satirical glimpse of
the year 2021, when the World War had killed millions, driven entire species
into extinction and sent humankind off the planet earth. Rick Deckard, an
extremely entertaining and engaging character, is a bounty hunter whose finds
rogue androids posing as humans, and retires them. In this adventurous
story filled with unrelenting anxiety and irony, Dick exhibits masterful
storytelling skill to create an absorbing, thrilling story. At the same time,
Dick also develops literary qualities that make the novel work on many levels.
All of the characters are finely drawn, especially the androids, and the
fast-paced, realistic environment keeps the reader involved with the intelligent
story. This novel strikes a balance between focusing on philosophical themes
such as isolation and what it means to be human, while also driving the story
forward with exciting plot twists. Though bleak at times, this work is a fine
combination of interior action and physical action, that keeps the reader
turning the pages.
Dawn by
Octavia Butler (1987)
* First book of the Xenogenesis series ( followed by Adulthood Rites and Imago)
This novel, framed on Earth after a nuclear holocaust, focuses on literary style and character development. When Lilith Iyapo is "awakened" she finds she is a member of a band of nuclear holocaust survivors, who are now in the hands of an alien race that is offering to save them. Lilith has been chosen to revive her fellow humans in small groups, prepare them to meet the utterly terrifying aliens, and then train them to survive on their planet again. When Lilith finds out that the aliens cannot save humanity without exacting a price and altering humanity forever, she is faced with difficult decisions. Butler uses an eloquent writing style to present a slow-moving plot that emphasizes the psychological and interior development of her characters rather than the action of the plot. This novel leaves the reader with an unresolved ending that encourages deeper consideration of the issues it presents..
Enders' Game by Orson Scott Card (1985)
* First book of the Ender Wiggins Saga Series (7 books total)
* Winner of the Hugo and Nebula Awards
Aliens have attacked Earth twice and almost destroyed the human species. To make sure humans win the next encounter, the world government has taken to breeding military geniuses and then training them in the arts of war. Ender Wiggin is one of these geniuses, bred to win all the war training games. As the plot twists in this intense, fast paced adventure, Ender begins to wonder if he is smart enough to save the planet? In a story where the tension of the plot is the most forceful element, the characters, like Ender, his sister Valentine and his brother Peter, are developed, but are not the focus of the work. Similarly, Ender battles psychological and interior battles such as loneliness and fear, but these are overshadowed by the drive and power of the engaging plot.
The Lathe of Heaven by Ursula LeGuin (1971)
In this intense and introspective novel, George Orr finds that he can literally change the world with his "effective" dreams. Filled with manipulation and complications, this is a slower-paced novel that examines the ultimate control of reality. Particularly framed in Portland, Oregon, the novel captures the mood and atmosphere of ecological urgency that drives the characters and the plot. Though the novel focuses heavily on characters and literary style, the plot is filled with a complicated series of dark events that ultimately prove how interconnected all life is -- and how powerful dreaming can be.
The Naked Sun by Isaac Asimov (1957)
In
this fast paced, action-filled novel, Lije Baley, an Earthly policeman, is
summoned to Solaria, one of the outer worlds of the universe, to solve an
impossible murder. Baley joins ranks with his ex-partner R. Daneel, on the
planet Solaria to solve the paradox of a human murder on a planet where humans
find it unbearable to be in the presence of other humans.
Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson (1993)
* First book in The Mars Trilogy (followed by Green Mars and Blue Mars)
In 2026, one hundred international colonists are on their way to Mars to settle the planet. John Boone, Maya Toitavna, Frank Chalmers and Arkady Bogdanov lead this group of colonists, fraught with love, rivalry, friendship and political dissension. As Mars and these colonists develop, the divisions in the group grow and deepen, leading to a horribly powerful climax where only unity ensures survival. In this slow-paced and descriptive novel, characters are deeply developed, with alternating chapters told from multiple points of view. Focused on action and on the particular setting and atmosphere of Mars, this story emphasizes people and events, but also develops the psychological and philosophical views of the characters.
The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell (1997)
In 2019, humanity finally finds proof of extraterrestrial life when a listening post in Puerto Rico picks up exquisite singing from a planet which will come to be known as Rakhat. While United Nations diplomats endlessly debate a possible first contact mission, Emilio Sandoz, a Jesuit priest, leads an expedition to investigate the singing. What the Jesuits find is a world so beyond comprehension that it will lead them to question the meaning of being "human." When the lone survivor of the expedition, Emilio Sandoz, returns to Earth in 2059, he tries to explain what went wrong. The novel itself follows the path of two time lines, expressed in alternating chapters: the initial discovery year of 2019 and the year 2059, when Sandoz is trying to unravel the story of what happened to him and his crew. In this slow paced, descriptive novel, Russell uses her understandings of the details of Jesuit life and space travel to underpin her primary focus on her characters. Ranging from black despair to fierce exhilaration, this novel is filled with disturbing moral dilemmas, moving psychological questions, spiritual conundrums and cleverly crafted characters. It is beautiful, ugly, sad, optimistic, and intensely compelling book that drives the reader consider new and challenging issues.
Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein (1959)
Set in the future, this novel describes a world where Earth is at war with the rest of the universe, a formidable enemy. Johnnie, a new recruit to the Mobile Infantry division of the army, is the focus of this medium-paced novel. Johnnie moves through boot camp and then up through the ranks of the MI, after planning to only enlist for one year. The frame of this story is the particular military culture of the MI, with its somber, solemn and yet adventurous atmosphere. The action in the first few pages of the novel quickly draws readers in, but the pace slows from there as the issues grow more complex and merit deeper consideration. In this introspective novel, Johnnie balances his responsibility of action with the MI with his struggle to understand and embrace the new moral and political philosophy of war.
To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis (1997)
Ned Henry is badly need of rest – he’s been running back and forth between the 21st century and 1942, on assignment for the demanding dowager Lady Schrapnell, in search of a Victorian relic called the bishop’s bird stump. Now Ned has been sent back to the Victorian era for some rest – or so he thought. Instead, Ned gets mixed up in a quirky time travel incongruity with a fellow historian, Verity Kindle. In this clever and kooky tale, Ned and Verity must solve the incongruity, find the bishop’s bird stump and get back to the 21st century in time for the opening of Lady Schrapnell’s reconstructed Coventry Cathedral. This is a fact-paced and comic time travel book with wacky, lovable characters and a special emphasis on the power of love and fate. Willis' powers as a storyteller shine with this novel that engages the reader in the exhilarating plot from the very first sentence.
Zodiac by Neil Stephenson (1988)
In this work of speculative cyberpunk, Stephenson introduces a fast, funny, and frightening world that is only one step ahead of today's headlines. Environmentalist Sangamon Taylor is well known for his zany but powerful antics to bring negative attention to big polluters. In this eco-thriller, Sangamon is in deep, with the FBI, the mob, and a group of angry Satanists all trying to exterminate him, but his biggest problem is the biotechnology company that is rapidly spreading an environmental health disaster in the public water systems. Framed in Boston, this is a fast-paced, action filled story of one environmentalist fighting against all odds to stop the spread of bad science. Though Sangamon is a fast, edgy and engaging character working with a myriad of other cynical characters, the events and situations that he meets up with are the true focus of this novel.