What are some of your favorite science-fiction novels?

[=SJ=]

My favorite books are:

1. Contact by Carl Sagan
2. 20,000 leagues under the sea by Jules Verne

These have in my opinion certain depht and I also aprreciate their's human dimension beside the technical side.
Along side with Carl Sagan and Jules Verne I enjoy A.C.Clarke who's sense of humour I like.

My favorite book-based movies and movies at all are:

1. A.I.: Aritifical Intelligence
   
2. Bicentennial man

I like the idea of artificial being who in an effort to become a human unconsciously exhibits the very human qualities and fuse with men.

 

[Stephanus]

My favorite books are:

1. Contact by Carl Sagan
2. 20,000 leagues under the sea by Jules Verne

These have in my opinion certain depht and I also aprreciate their's human dimension beside the technical side.
Along side with Carl Sagan and Jules Verne I enjoy A.C.Clarke who's sense of humour I like.

My favorite book-based movies and movies at all are:

1. A.I.: Aritifical Intelligence
   
2. Bicentennial man

I like the idea of artificial being who in an endevour to become human unconsciously exhibits the very human qualities and fuse with men.

Contact: See the movie, missed the book.
20,000 leagues: Read the book, never see the movie. Captain Nemo and Nautilus, right? But no mention of energy source by Jules Verne.
AI and BIcentennial Man prologs are Asimov 3 laws.

 

[=SJ=]

Contact: See the movie, missed the book.

The movie is exeptionally great and it very impressed me when I saw it in my childhood. Carl Sagan had worked on it as an advisor but as usuall the book is even better. It tells the story that can't fit into 2-hours movie ( for example Ellie's mother who have been left out the movie is alive in the book) and captures the interesting details and Sagan's ideas.

20,000 leagues: Read the book, never see the movie. Captain Nemo and Nautilus, right? But no mention of energy source by Jules Verne.

I've seen the two movie adaptations (and I'm looking forward to see also Karel Zeman's movie) and have read the book. It quite a long time but I think that Verne well-elaborated the technical details, which is what I really enjoy in his books.

AI and BIcentennial Man prologs are Asimov 3 laws.

Yes, actually the story for AI have been reworked by Stanly Kubrick and Steve Spielberg based on Asimov's Bicentennial man. They share the same idea.

 

[DaveC426913]

20,000 leagues: Read the book, never see the movie.

The original 1954 was great.

 

[sappho.poiesis]

The original 1954 was great.

I find his books too simple.

 

[Stephanus]

The movie is exeptionally great and it very impressed me when I saw it in my childhood. Carl Sagan had worked on it as an advisor but as usuall the book is even better. It tells the story that can't fit into 2-hours movie ( for example Ellie's mother who have been left out the movie is alive in the book) and captures the interesting details and Sagan's ideas.

Yeah, it is exceptionally great. I learned the director name years later. "Robert Zemeckis" - Forrest Gump, Cast Away, Mars Need Mom. Should have seen it in credit title. I read in Google that in the novel, Sagan pointed out something about the sequence of number in Pi in base 11 (or else, forget that) that contains the secret of the universe. Hmmh, Dan Brown's stuff.

 

[=SJ=]

The original 1954 was great.

I haven't seen this one yet, but I certainly will! I've saw the movie adaptation with Micheal Caine, which I like as an actor and think I've seensome another (my plans for today's evening has been just set :-) Also noteworthy is a Willy Fog's series. Although primary for kids, on severe episodes it carries with dignity Vernes's ideas and is on par with book's atmosthere more then the movie which I've seen.
Beside 20,000 which is undoubly the most famous Verne's novel and think that this novels From the Earth to the Moon and Around the Moon is also of great idea. It exhibits how many of Verene's visions (not all of them?) come to true almost in the very same way as he described.

Stephanus: Yes, this is typical for him. The movie shows to a watcher some of the most fundamental ideas of physics and he might not even notice that.

 

[DaveC426913]

I read in Google that in the novel, Sagan pointed out something about the sequence of number in Pi in base 11 (or else, forget that) that contains the secret of the universe. Hmmh, Dan Brown's stuff.

Yes, though it wasn't a 'secret of the universe', so much as it was unmistakably non-random, which is a message itself.

And Sagan did it long before Dan Brown.

 

[Stephanus]

Yes, though it wasn't a 'secret of the universe', so much as it was unmistakably non-random, which is a message itself.

And Sagan did it long before Dan Brown.

Of course. Dan Brown doesn't do math. I mean the "code" Dan Brown cracks the code in some arts object and Carl cracked it in Pi, as what I read in google not in the novel, so I didn't know precisely.

 

[enorbet]

Regarding Contact , having read it I do urge all who enjoy the man or the topic to read it. As good as the movie was it was a disappointment to me because I read the book first and it's depth surpasses the movie to a vast degree, which is to be expected since movies tend to "boil things down".

Spoiler

The mind boggling, thirsty bit about Pi is that it is an extension of the messages that Ellie discovered that had just enough pattern for their instruments (and a human observer) to detect as non-random immediately but as time passes first text is revealed, then pictures, then moving pictures. So it is hinted that by a similar process a pattern is revealed in Pi which obviously much be considerably more complex than the simpler messages received by SETI. .. and far older.

This is especially important because while the movies devotes a mere moment to the condition that seemed to exist at some nexus in her wormhole travel that appeared to her to be an artificial construct something like a train or plane terminal, a somewhat central manifold to many places, and the answer to her remark about it that states the Terminal was merely discovered and had been built by Ancients who could no longer be found. So one is led to draw the conclusion that perhaps it was this incredibly advanced civilization, coming possibly eons before those that made contact, that structured Pi as an encrypted message fantastically more complex and data full than even the Contact masters have imagined.

While I am hiding this beneath "spoiler" wraps, I assure you it it is barely a wisp of a hint compared to the imagination and words of Carl Sagan and nothing has been really spoiled at all.

Also while on the subject of Carl Sagan, I'd like to introduce those here to a writer in the same vein. Though nowhere near as well known, nor prolific, but still of a mind in imagination built on hard science, is Hank Searle who wrote a mind blowing little Science Fiction novel entitled SOUNDING https://www.amazon.com/Sounding-Hank-Searls/dp/1497638542

All I will say is that it is about whales, dolphins, and humans and the nature of intelligence and was a breathtaking page turner for me.

 

[DaveC426913]

Also while on the subject of Carl Sagan, I'd like to introduce those here to a writer in the same vein. Though nowhere near as well known, nor prolific, but still of a mind in imagination built on hard science, is Hank Searle who wrote a mind blowing little Science Fiction novel entitled SOUNDING https://www.amazon.com/dp/1497638542/?tag=pfamazon01-20

I'm convinced. Emboughtened. :)

 

[Stephanus]

Regarding Contact , having read it I do urge all who enjoy the man or the topic to read it. As good as the movie was it was a disappointment to me because I read the book first and it's depth surpasses the movie to a vast degree, which is to be expected since movies tend to "boil things down".

Yes, few movie can compare the quaility with the book. Only Mario Puzo's Godfather.
I once read Crichton's The Lost Word. Two teams in total do to Isla Solar (or Nuba?)
The first is: Ian Malcolm, Eddie Carr, Two Kids, and Susan Sarandon character
The second: Two or three antagonist.
In the movie:
The antagonist becomes a team (more than 10 people) full with heavy vehicles, heavy tools and modern weapon.

 

[DaveC426913]

Yes, few movie can compare the quaility with the book.

Depends which order they were done in. Ever read the book version of a movie that was as good as the movie?

 

[Stephanus]

No, absolutely not! After I watch the movie, I can't bring my self to read the book version or the novelization.
Funny thing about Da Vinci Code and Angel and Demons. The movie and the book sequence is upside down.
But after watching movie, I might search the novel. Contact is one of them. That I want to search, but there's no "Contact" in bookstore nearby me.

 

[DaveC426913]

After I watch the movie, I can't bring my self to read the book version or the novelization.

Yeah. The novelizations are dreadful. They're simply a mechanical reproduction of the movie, minus all the good stuff.

"Poot-ee-weet" said R2-D2, "Poot-ee-weet."

 

[Stephanus]

Yeah. The novelizations are dreadful. They're simply a mechanical reproduction of the movie, minus all the good stuff.

"Poot-ee-weet" said R2-D2, "Poot-ee-weet."

But not Star Trek! I bought a lot of Star Trek novels. They are not novelization. Perhaps you already knew that. The writers are somewhat a licensed writer. They can write Star Trek novel, they get fee from Paramount Studio (if I'm not mistaken) And they must follow a strict rule, they have knowledge about prime directive, etc.
They just can't write that Caradassians are nice people. Ships have to have inertial dampener installed with a very sophisticated computer to compensate pulse motion. Warp won't give you inertia I think, it warps space. And star trek ship has to be powered by anti matter.
Now, there's something just cross my mind. Where can they produce the anti matter at the first place? Anti matter aren't just lying around freely on the ground (or in space for that matter, sorry for that anti matter). There's no mention of if. Perhaps they tap the energy of a star, convert it to anti matter for "easy" containment. But it's rather off topic.
Novelization, no!. Spin off novel, yes. Star Trek.

 

[Bob Turtle]

I can't believe 'Rendezvous With Rama' by Arthur C. Clarke doesn't top everyone's list! There are many more entertaining books out there, but none that so clearly shows our place in the universe, which is surely the point of good SF. The sequels (with Gentry Lee) are not so good.

Also recommend:
Blood Music (Greg Bear)
Bill, The Galactic Hero (Harry Harrison)
Use of Weapons (Ian M. Banks)
The Reality Dysfunction (Peter F. Hamilton) but NOT the sequels
and (of course)
The Stainless Steel Rat series (Harry Harrison,again and again)

 

[DaveC426913]

But not Star Trek! I bought a lot of Star Trek novels. They are not novelization. Perhaps you already knew that.

True. They are novels in their own right, set in an existing universe.

 

[BWV]

For contemporary writers the top right now would be Alastair Reynolds' Revelation Space series, followed by Peter Hamilton and just started Leviathan Wakes by James SA Corey which is entertaining so far

 

[Mr.Robot]

Neuromancer by William Gibson :)

 

[THEBOOKWORM]

the neptune project and the neptune challenge by polly holyoke
it is about some people who are part fish and there adventures int the seas and no they are not mermaids

 

[DaveC426913]

This one?

 

[hawkeye1029]

The Martian by Andy Weir :)

 

[Hatesmondays]

By far Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin. This book was very original and well thought out. Extremely well developed characters.

 

[Hatesmondays]

The Martian by Andy Weir :)

For me, the Matian is third.

 

[SlowThinker]

I haven't seen The Algebraist by Iain Banks mentioned in this thread. It's packed with innovative ideas, and very immersive.
A fair warning though: I checked some of his other works but none come anywhere close to The Algebraist.

 

[Hatesmondays]

I haven't seen The Algebraist by Iain Banks mentioned in this thread. It's packed with innovative ideas, and very immersive.This one?

 

[SlowThinker]

I haven't seen The Algebraist by Iain Banks mentioned in this thread. It's packed with innovative ideas, and very immersive.This one?

Yep, and now that you mention it, it has been mentioned

 

[Hatesmondays]

Lols

 

[AkshayJain]

Ender's Game is a 1985 military science fiction novel by American author Orson Scott Card. About it finish it.

 

[_PJ_]

Bill The Galactic Hero (onlky the first one, not the ad absurdum sequels)
Stainless Steel Rat
Quite a lot more Harrison really,

Pretty much ERYTHING by John Wyndham or Ray Bradbury

 

[Jenab2]

Downbelow Station
Cyteen
Regenesis
20,000 in Gehenna

All by C.J. Cherryh.

I also liked The Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold.

Robert Heinlein's Starship Troopers and The Moon is a Harsh Mistress are old favorites.

 

[enorbet]

Greetz
While actually a short story and not a novel I was very pleased to be able to read Mimsy Were The Borogroves again since I hadn't seen it since Junior High School but had thought about it repeatedly and am pleased that the reality of it's quality has held up to my idealized recall. If you are in a similar state or better, if you've never read it, I'm happy to provide this link to the complete story.

http://jabberwockland.blogspot.com/2007/03/mimsy-were-borogoves-by-lewis-padgett.html

 

[Michaelhall2007]

I started watching 11/22/63 on TV and was really enjoying it so I bought the Steven King novel.
Almost finish it now and it Sooooo much better.
I love time travel stuff and add the JFK conspiracy and I'm in hogs heaven.

 

[1oldman2]

I started watching 11/22/63 on TV and was really enjoying it so I bought the Steven King novel.
Almost finish it now and it Sooooo much better.
I love time travel stuff and add the JFK conspiracy and I'm in hogs heaven.

One of his best, very cool story.

 

[1oldman2]

I love time travel stuff and add the JFK conspiracy and I'm in hogs heaven.

Try Michael Crichton's Timeline.

 

[DHF]

Crichton's "Sphere" is also good. The book that is, the movie is crap.

 

[astro_chara]

I found the original Ender's Game series very interesting, it was a great read!

I definitely recommend this series, it questions the probability of spacetravel and the motives of humanity. It's very interesting, and is highly recommended!

Can't wait to read the next four books :D

 

[Mr.Robot]

Greetz
While actually a short story and not a novel I was very pleased to be able to read Mimsy Were The Borogroves again since I hadn't seen it since Junior High School but had thought about it repeatedly and am pleased that the reality of it's quality has held up to my idealized recall. If you are in a similar state or better, if you've never read it, I'm happy to provide this link to the complete story.

http://jabberwockland.blogspot.com/2007/03/mimsy-were-borogoves-by-lewis-padgett.html

Thank You so much! I will surely read it.

 

[Michaelhall2007]

Try Michael Crichton's Timeline.

Ooh, fiction. Apart from those bits that aren't.
Thanks. You just gave me my next book to read. ;)

 

[1oldman2]

Crichton's "Sphere" is also good. The book that is, the movie is crap.

I agree 100%, never yet seen a case yet where a movie could match a well written book for detail.

 

[1oldman2]

Ooh, fiction. Apart from those bits that aren't.
Thanks. You just gave me my next book to read. ;)

You won't be disappointed with timeline, note that Crichton even puts in a disclaimer for the "impossible" physics. I remember when The Andromeda strain first came out, been hooked on his writing ever since.

 

[DaveC426913]

Timeline was a terrible novel. Movie no better.

He was one of my favorite authors. I read almost everything he wrote (and a few he didn't).

But his later works became too obviously written more as the screenplay for a hopeful movie deal than a proper novel.

 

[1oldman2]

Timeline was a terrible novel. Movie no better.

He was one of my favorite authors. I read almost everything he wrote (and a few he didn't).

But his later works became too obviously written more as the screenplay for a hopeful movie deal than a proper novel.

I just "gotta" give you a like on that post. I really enjoyed the timeline book from a layman's point of view although from the technical standpoint I guess it would seem a long stretch of the imagination, (not unlike the fascination with the old B sci-fi movies people once had, totally impossible but still entertaining). Didn't even know they had made a movie of timeline but had I known I still wouldn't watch it anyway, I love a good novel but they never translate well into film.

 

[Stephanus]

Timeline was a terrible novel. Movie no better.

He was one of my favorite authors. I read almost everything he wrote (and a few he didn't).

But his later works became too obviously written more as the screenplay for a hopeful movie deal than a proper novel.

Timeline? As @1oldman2 says, from a layman point of view I like it.
Prey? As a computer programmer I really like his story.
But his two last books: "Next" and "something about global warming are not good". Why even he wrote it?

 

[1oldman2]

But his two last books: "Next" and "something about global warming are not good". Why even he wrote it?

I concur whole heartedly, I guess I have the fatal flaw of comparing all his stuff with "The Andromeda Strain" Hard to top a classic like that one. The global warming one (can't remember the title) seemed to have major political overtones along with a scattered plot, I did enjoy the Antarctic segment though.

 

[Stephanus]

Rising Sun is my favorite.
The Global warming is okay. "Next" is the worst. Will all due respect to Michael

 

[1oldman2]

Rising Sun is my favorite.
The Global warming is okay. "Next" is the worst. Will all due respect to Michael

Rising sun was pretty cool, I enjoyed the style he used in that one.

 

[1oldman2]

I also enjoy just about anything Stephan Gould wrote, "Dinosaur in a haystack" would be a good example. Not really Sci-fi but definitely Science with a twist.

 

[mpresic]

My first Crichton novel was Andromeda Strain I read in 1970, at age 15. (Loved it, but the movie in the 70's was not good) . Another of my favorite, although not strictly sci-fi was Airframe. I liked Timeline, but not as good as the others mentioned. Stephen Kings 11/22 as the first King I read ever. I liked it.