With the sheer variety of literary genres, it's almost surprising that so many book lovers get stuck reading only one type of book. Some serious readers even go so far as to read only novels that have won a slew of prizes or are considered classics and they won't think about reading a 'light' genre such as sci-fi. Little do they know that many of the award-winning classics they prefer are also some of the best science fiction books in history.
Science fiction, more often called sci-fi, encompasses many different subgenres. They may focus on technological innovations, on societal structures or both. Monsters, aliens, outer space, cyberspace, time travel, mad scientists and post-apocalyptic societies are just some themes you may find in the genre. What makes sci-fi so enjoyable to read is that the authors come up with highly imaginative ideas, some of which even became a reality long after the works were published.
Ancient works from as early as the 2nd century started exploring themes that could be classified as sci-fi. A work from the first half of the 17th century, 'Somnium' by Johannes Kepler, is often cited as the first truly sci-fi novel. Other early works in this imaginative genre include the classic 'Gulliver's Travels' by 18th-century writer Jonathan Swift and 'Frankenstein' by 19th-century author Mary Shelley.
Toward the end of the 19th century, technological innovation inspired several writers. Jules Verne was one, with novels that explored travel into the depths of the planet or deep underneath the sea. Another writer who, like Verne, had a huge influence on later writers was H. G. Wells, author of works such as 'The Time Machine', 'The Island of Doctor Moreau' and 'The War of the Worlds'.
The 20th century produced many great sci-fi writers. Arthur C. Clarke was a pioneer, as was Isaac Asimov. The dystopian novel is normally classified as sci-fi too and in this subgenre the two works that are most famous are Aldous Huxley's work about cloning, 'Brave New World', and George Orwell's work about total government control, 'Nineteen Eighty-Four'.
Many writers in other genres have tried their hand at sci-fi. Even before H. G. Wells wrote about time travel, Mark Twain explored the concept in 'A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court'. Margaret Atwood wrote about a dystopian society in 'The Handmaid's Tale', as did Nobel Laureate Jose Saramago in 'Blindness'. Another Nobel Laureate, Doris Lessing, created an entire series of works set on other planets.
The highly imaginative nature of sci-fi makes it perfect for the movies. There have been numerous film adaptations of 'Frankenstein' and of the works of Wells and Verne, or instance. Other sci-fi books that became popular movies include 'A Clockwork Orange', 'Dune', '2001: A Space Odyssey', 'Jurassic Park', 'Planet of the Apes' and Douglas Adams' comical sci-fi novel 'A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Universe'.
To find great sci-fi novels, you can ask at your local library or bookstore. Even better is to check online booksellers. In this way you can read the reviews first, because like in any other genre, there are great works but also ones that are terrible.
Science fiction, more often called sci-fi, encompasses many different subgenres. They may focus on technological innovations, on societal structures or both. Monsters, aliens, outer space, cyberspace, time travel, mad scientists and post-apocalyptic societies are just some themes you may find in the genre. What makes sci-fi so enjoyable to read is that the authors come up with highly imaginative ideas, some of which even became a reality long after the works were published.
Ancient works from as early as the 2nd century started exploring themes that could be classified as sci-fi. A work from the first half of the 17th century, 'Somnium' by Johannes Kepler, is often cited as the first truly sci-fi novel. Other early works in this imaginative genre include the classic 'Gulliver's Travels' by 18th-century writer Jonathan Swift and 'Frankenstein' by 19th-century author Mary Shelley.
Toward the end of the 19th century, technological innovation inspired several writers. Jules Verne was one, with novels that explored travel into the depths of the planet or deep underneath the sea. Another writer who, like Verne, had a huge influence on later writers was H. G. Wells, author of works such as 'The Time Machine', 'The Island of Doctor Moreau' and 'The War of the Worlds'.
The 20th century produced many great sci-fi writers. Arthur C. Clarke was a pioneer, as was Isaac Asimov. The dystopian novel is normally classified as sci-fi too and in this subgenre the two works that are most famous are Aldous Huxley's work about cloning, 'Brave New World', and George Orwell's work about total government control, 'Nineteen Eighty-Four'.
Many writers in other genres have tried their hand at sci-fi. Even before H. G. Wells wrote about time travel, Mark Twain explored the concept in 'A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court'. Margaret Atwood wrote about a dystopian society in 'The Handmaid's Tale', as did Nobel Laureate Jose Saramago in 'Blindness'. Another Nobel Laureate, Doris Lessing, created an entire series of works set on other planets.
The highly imaginative nature of sci-fi makes it perfect for the movies. There have been numerous film adaptations of 'Frankenstein' and of the works of Wells and Verne, or instance. Other sci-fi books that became popular movies include 'A Clockwork Orange', 'Dune', '2001: A Space Odyssey', 'Jurassic Park', 'Planet of the Apes' and Douglas Adams' comical sci-fi novel 'A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Universe'.
To find great sci-fi novels, you can ask at your local library or bookstore. Even better is to check online booksellers. In this way you can read the reviews first, because like in any other genre, there are great works but also ones that are terrible.
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