The most famous fiction authors. Fantasy is a genre in literature

One of the most popular novels Vonnegut has haunted fans of his work and other sympathizers for more than 50 years now. Some modern performers even put the invention of the main character of this book at the forefront of their creativity and glorify the element that can freeze all the waters of the world and lead to the death of earthly life. If you are still hoping to learn the details of the life of a popular pet here, then it is better to pick up another book. After all, as one of the heroes of the work says, “there is no damn cat, no damn cradle.” Instead, you will get an amazing novel in which the American writer brought almost to the absolute the main themes of his work - the responsibility of scientists for inventions and problems of the global environmental situation.

In the book from the AST publishing house, in addition to Cat's Cradle, you will find another famous Vonnegut novel, Slaughterhouse-Five.

Although the tandem of Boris and Arkady Strugatsky has long become history, their legacy is alive and continues to acquire more and more new fans. Having started writing at a young age, during their lives they created and published more than a hundred works - from short stories to large science fiction novels. One of them, “Roadside Picnic,” was first published in 1972 and almost immediately became a real bestseller. It was translated into almost all living languages ​​and released in two dozen countries, and Andrei Tarkovsky based the famous “Stalker” on it. American directors have also announced their intentions to film the novel several times. IN last time This message appeared in September 2015. “Roadside Picnic” was also highly praised by the famous science fiction writer Stanislaw Lem, who wrote an afterword to the 1977 German edition. It seems that this alone should be enough to make you proudly include the novel in your library.

You can’t just go ahead and mention Stanislaw Lem once. Science fiction lovers read his novels literally to the gills. This is not surprising: the Polish writer has gained enormous popularity among book lovers, and his books have been translated into 41 languages ​​and sold a total of more than 30 million copies. After publishing a story about the relationship between people and the intelligent ocean, the science fiction writer further strengthened his position. Solaris, published in 1961, greatly influenced many science fiction writers. Boris Strugatsky identified it as one of the ten best works of the genre. And it seems that this is justified: the book has been translated into 30 world languages ​​and filmed many times, and echoes of the intelligent ocean can still be found in the works of modern authors.

It is probably very difficult to find a person who has not heard the phrase “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.” Some watched the series with that name, others got acquainted with the travels of friends through the film by Garth Jennings, but the story is revealed in more detail in the novel by Adams Douglas. Together with the heroes of the work, filled with elegant humor and uncontrollable flights of fantasy, you will make the most incredible flight across the Universe and find out what can happen to the inhabitants of the Earth when the planet itself is destroyed for the sake of building a cosmic highway. In the first months after the novel’s release alone, 250 thousand copies of this work were sold. Although the book was published in 1979, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy continued to collect awards in our millennium - for example, in 2003, the BBC included it in the list of the 200 best books, placing it in fourth place.

Science fiction is not always about space flights, aliens and intelligent lakes. Many writers create their own dystopian worlds, which can hardly be called realism. Just think of George Orwell's 1984 or Anthony Burgess's The Desiring Seed. The famous Ray Bradbury could not ignore the theme of a totalitarian society, and he did it extremely gracefully. In the novel Fahrenheit 451, he talks about a situation where literature becomes almost dissent, and intelligence agencies burn books along with the houses of their owners. The only thing that is allowed in this world is mass culture, consumer thinking, television shows and everything else that turns off the main function of humanity, the function of thinking. Such works are sometimes considered prophetic. You can find out whether Ray Bradbury succeeded in making a prophecy by looking through the book from cover to cover.

Only the lazy do not know about the events on the planet Arrakis. Films were made about the struggle for the “spice” necessary for flights (even David Lynch attempted a film adaptation) and computer games were made, and the original story, the novel “Dune,” became one of the most famous science fiction sagas of the 20th century. In the novel, Frank Herbert combined a fantastic work with a philosophical one, raising many important issues: ecology, politics and more. This chronicle of the distant future has been translated into dozens of languages. Only in Russia there are several translation options. One of the most artistically valuable and closest to the original is the work of Pavel Vyaznikov. In it, the author adapted the source text so elegantly that the reader can literally touch the planet Arrakis.

One short story from a series of "soft" fiction, which grew into a novel, and one novel, which became the basis for numerous theatrical productions and film adaptations around the world. This is all Flowers for Algernon. Daniel Keyes took events from life as the basis for his work. The boy for whom the writer taught at a school for children with disabilities turned into the main character of the book, and the English poet, who lived half his life with a mental disorder, turned into a laboratory mouse. Opening the book, the reader seems to be peeping through a keyhole at the fate of the hero, because it is written in the form of diaries. In them, a young man goes on an experiment to improve intelligence, where he meets his first experimental subject, the mouse Algernon. Over the course of a year, the hero turns from a narrow-minded floor cleaner into a scientist. But the experiment begins to have the opposite effect.

If you find a typo or error, select the fragment of text containing it and press Ctrl + ↵

Of course, not only science fiction, but literature in general. He is distinguished by deep psychologism and poignancy.

Ray Bradbury is best known for his dark and philosophical series of stories “The Martian Chronicles”, as well as the post-apocalyptic story “Fahrenheit 451”.

Isaac Asimov

Clifford Simak

Clifford Simak is one of the founders of modern American science fiction. Author of such iconic works as “The City”, “A Ring Around the Sun”, “The Goblin Sanctuary”, “The Werewolf Principle”.

Stanislav Lem

Stanislaw Lem is a Polish science fiction writer, futurist and philosopher. Lemme's books have been translated into more than 40 languages. There are many film adaptations of his works, among which the most famous is the brilliant “Solaris” by Andrei Tarkovsky.

Robert Heinlein

Robert Anson Heinlein is the only writer to receive as many as five Hugo Awards and a multiple Nebula winner. Heinlein is the author of the cult “Stranger in a Stranger”, as well as the excellent “teenage series”, which set the standards for science fiction (“Star Beast”, “Martian Podkein”, “If there is a spacesuit, there will be travel” and others).

Arkady and Boris Strugatsky

The brothers Arkady and Boris Strugatsky are iconic Soviet brothers who worked mainly in tandem (although each of them also published independent stories), who became classics of modern science fiction not only in Russia, but throughout the world. However, the depth and philosophy of their best works (“Roadside Picnic”, “Snail on the Slope”, “Lame Fate”, “Doomed City” and others) go far beyond the scope of fantasy as a genre.

Kir Bulychev

Kir Bulychev is an author, known primarily as the author of a children's and teenage fantasy series about the adventures of a girl from the future, Alisa Selezneva ("One Hundred Years Ahead", "The Girl from the Earth" and others). However, Bulychev has other works that invariably differ in easy language and an excellent sense of humor - for example, the cycle of stories “The Martian Potion” about the inhabitants of the fictional city of the great Guslyar.

Sergei Lukyanenko

Lukyanenko’s best works include his early works - “Knights of the Forty Islands”, “The Boy and the Darkness”.

Sergei Lukyanenko is perhaps the most famous today

• Goodreads rating: 4.4.
• Awards: International Fiction Award for Fiction (1957), SFinks Book of the Year Award (2000), Prometheus Award for Hall of Fame (2009).

Tolkien's trilogy, adapted by Peter Jackson, stands the test of time and sets the bar for fantasy fiction. The book differs from the film, so it will delight the reader with many interesting details and unexpected plot twists.

The hobbit Frodo and his companions set off on a journey through the fairy-tale universe to destroy the Ring and restore peace on earth. On the way, many dangers await them, which will require great valor and courage from the little hobbits.

• Goodreads rating: 4.2.
• Awards: Hugo Award for Best Novel (1966), Nebula Award for Best Novel (1965), SFinks Award for Book of the Year (2008).

The action takes place in the distant future, where social life and culture revolve around the “spice”, and there is a constant struggle for the extraction and use of this special substance. At first glance, it may seem that this is another story of the struggle between good and evil, nobility and selfish interests. However, the book is more polyphonic.

Herbert managed to create a unique chronicle of the distant future, which explores issues of politics, religion, ecology and technology, rightfully considered the most vivid and original in history.

3. A Song of Ice and Fire, George R.R. Martin

• Goodreads rating: 4.4.
• Awards: Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Award - first two books (2001), Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Award - first three books (2002).

This ranking would be incomplete without the saga of. The book allows you to follow the endless confrontation between the Starks and Lannisters without downloading the next season of the series. Magic, mystery, intrigue, passion, romance and adventure fill its pages and transport the reader to a completely new world.

• Goodreads rating: 4.1
• Awards: Prometheus Award in the Hall of Fame category (1984).

Orwell managed to create the antipode of the great, but not universally recognized dystopia of the 20th century - “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley. The author tries to answer the question, what is worse: an ideal consumer society or an ideal society of ideas? It turns out that there is nothing worse than complete lack of freedom in both the first and second cases.

Orwell predicted the total power of television, widespread surveillance and many other cultural phenomena that we see today. Therefore, the book has not lost its relevance over the years.

• Goodreads rating: 4.
• Awards: Hugo Award for Best Novel (1973), Nebula Award for Best Novel (1972), Locus Award for Best Novel (1973), Dietmar Award for "Foreign Fiction (USA, novel)" (1973).

• Goodreads rating: 4.
• Awards: Hugo Award for Best Novel (1974), Nebula Award for Best Novel (1973), Locus Award for Best Novel (1974), British Science Fiction Association Award in category "Best Novel" (1974).

The case when the novel received as many as seven prestigious awards in the field of fiction (Lifehacker listed the most famous of them) and marked the beginning of a series of books by different authors that explore the relationship of earthlings with a different mind.

The action takes place in the near future. An unusually shaped asteroid is moving across the Galaxy towards solar system. A crew of earthlings lands on the surface of an asteroid and begins to collect data, which only complicates the search for an answer to main question: “Who created this huge thing and why?..”

• Goodreads rating: 4.5.
• Awards: Jules Verne Prize in the category “Novel (USSR)” (1979), Golden Graulli Award in the category “Foreign Novel” (1981).

One of the few works of Russian-language science fiction that does not lose, but only gains popularity over time.

“Roadside Picnic” is reflected in world culture. Andrei Tarkovsky based his legendary film “Stalker” on it. Several decades later, the story formed the basis computer game and became the beginning of a series of books set in a created fictional world.

After aliens visited the Earth, Zones appeared on it in which completely different laws of existence operate. Society turned out to be unprepared for the “gifts” of aliens and is struggling to adapt to the new reality, following the few Stalkers.

• Goodreads rating: 4.
• Awards: Hugo Award for Best Novel (1987), Nebula Award for Best Novel (1986), Locus Award for Best Nonfiction fantasy novel"(1987), Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Award in the category "Best Foreign Book (USA)" (1995).

In the Russian translation, the book is also known under the titles “The Voice of Those Who Are Not” and “The Herald of the Dead.” This novel was a direct continuation of the novel “,” which also won several literary awards and received a great response from science fiction fans.

Earthlings meet another race of advanced beings. The differences between them turn out to be so great that it almost leads to a new conflict of civilizations.

• Goodreads rating: 4.1.
• Awards: Bram Stoker Award for Best Novel (2001), Hugo Award for Best Novel (2002), Nebula Award for Best Novel (2002), Locus Award for Best Novel Best Novel (Fantasy) (2002), Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Award for Best Fantasy (UK/US) (2001).

• Goodreads rating: 4.
• Awards: Governor General of Canada Literary Award for Prose in English (1985), Los Angeles Times Book Award for Prose in English Fiction"(1986), Arthur C. Clarke Award for Best Novel (1987).

Another book on which the popular film was based. Margaret Atwood constructs a rather convincing panorama of a future that could come as early as tomorrow.

In the new world, women do not have the right to own property, work, love, read or write. They are here for only one thing - to give birth. And if someone is not capable of this, she is left to work in hard labor until her death, which under such conditions occurs earlier than usual. The main character of the book, the maid Fredova, challenges the system, for which she has to pay.

• Goodreads rating: 4.1.
• Awards: New Dimension Magazine Award for Best Book (UK/Sri Lanka) (1968).

An example of how a book is born after the film of the same name - and finds its audience, living its own life. Arthur C. Clarke wrote his science fiction novel based on a script he worked on with Stanley Kubrick. The work is considered to be ahead of its time.

An unknown object has been discovered on the Moon, which is sending a powerful signal to. Scientists were able to find out that the signal goes towards one of Saturn’s moons. The interplanetary spacecraft Discovery is sent there to explore unknown spaces...

Buy a book

• Goodreads rating: 4.2.
• Awards: Prometheus Award in the Best Novel category (2012), Alex Award (2012).

In the near future, when the world is experiencing another economic downturn and resource shortages, you can only feel truly alive in the virtual space where representatives of humanity spend their days. Before death, the creator of this space composes a series of complex puzzles. The one who solves them first will inherit his enormous fortune and power over the whole world. Main character decides to try his hand and begins to look for clues.

Today the writer is working on a sequel, so readers will soon have the opportunity to find out what happened to their favorite characters.

13. “The Left Hand of Darkness”, Ursula Le Guin

• Goodreads rating: 4.
• Awards: Hugo Award for Best Novel (1970), Nebula Award for Best Novel (1969), Nova SF Award for Best Novel (1972), SFinks Award for Best Novel (1972) Book of the Year" (1996).

Not the most famous novel by an American writer, but large, complex and serious. In it, Le Guin poses and resolves global philosophical and moral questions - this is why fans of intellectual fiction love him.

The book describes the world of the distant planet Winter, to which the main character arrives on a mission of goodwill - uniting many planets into one system. But to do this, he must bridge the gap between his own views and the ideas of a completely alien culture with which he encounters.

• Goodreads rating: 4.7.
• Awards: Hugo Award for Best Novel (1968), Lazar Komarcic Award for Best Foreign Novel (1985).

The writer’s biographers agree that the science fiction writer had a good understanding of Eastern culture. And the novel is proof of this, because on its pages the gods of the Hindu pantheon come to life, interacting with people and demons.

This book is more of a philosophical discussion about existence than a classic science fiction novel. However, the sharp plot holds the reader's attention throughout the entire story.

• Goodreads rating: 4.1.
• Awards: Hugo Award for Best Novel (1976), Nebula Award for Best Novel (1975), Locus Award for Best Novel (1976), Lazar Komarcic Award for Best Novel Best Foreign Novel" (1986).

The author's most famous book, thanks to which his name is well known among science fiction fans today. Haldeman fought in Vietnam, which had a great influence on all of his work and this novel in particular. The novel can be called anti-militarist.

The main character is a space force soldier who fights treacherous aliens and dreams of returning home. When he finds himself on his native Earth, he realizes that he feels like a stranger here too. It turns out that finding happiness and your place in life in peacetime is even more difficult than in wartime.

• Goodreads rating: 4.1.
• Awards: Italian magazine Nova SF award in the category “Best Novel” (1970).

This science fiction novel brought Bradbury his first success. Thanks to him, the writer received many prestigious awards and gained the love of fans all over the world.

The novel consists of separate chronicle stories in which the author reflects on pressing issues of human existence - both on Earth and throughout the Universe. People dream so much of conquering space, but they don’t think about how they can be overcome by an endless longing for everything human that is left at home...

• Goodreads rating: 4.3.
• Awards: Barry Levin Book of the Year (Revised and Expanded) (1990), Balrog Award for Best Novel (1979), World Fantasy Award for Best Novel (1979).

Despite the fact that other books brought greater fame, this novel received many awards. Agree, there is a compelling reason to pay attention to it.

The population of America is dying out due to the virus, however, even in this situation, the struggle for world domination does not subside. A mysterious man who can subjugate the weak seeks to seize power. Few of those who managed to survive and maintain adequate ideas about good and evil decide to stop the impostor at all costs.

18. Starship Troopers, Robert Heinlein

• Goodreads rating: 4.
• Awards: Hugo Award for Best Novel (1960).

In Russian, this book was also published under other titles: “Star Infantry”, “Star Rangers”, “Space Troopers” and “Soldiers of Space”. Even if you watched the film adaptation, the book is still worth reading. Heinlein focuses on important political and social phenomena, and the plot boasts even more unpredictable twists. At the same time, the novel is considered one of the most controversial works of science fiction: after its release, Heinlein was called a militarist and accused of promoting fascism.

The Earth is attacking dangerous enemy, and the Star Marines must confront an intelligent bug civilization that has nothing in common with humans. In such a war, everything is decided by force, because there is simply no time to seek reconciliation.

• Goodreads rating: 4.
• Awards: Nebula Award for Best Novel (1966).

The book will appeal to those who want to take a little break from space science fiction, switching to science fiction with a universal human face. The novel is deeply psychological and makes you think about the questions of love and responsibility that we often ask in everyday life.

33-year-old floor cleaner Charlie Gordon is mentally retarded. Despite this, he has a job, friends and an irresistible desire to socialize. After he takes part in a scientific experiment, his life is turned upside down. Charlie's IQ almost triples, and he begins to think about things that are familiar to him in a completely new way.

20. Books about Harry Potter, JK Rowling

• Goodreads rating: from 4.3.
• Awards: British National Book Award for Children's Book of the Year (1998), Nestle Children's Book Award (1997–1999), Whitbread Award for Children's Book of the Year (1999).

• Goodreads rating: 4.
• Awards: Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Award (1995–1999)

• Goodreads rating: 4.2.
• Awards: Geffen Prize (2003).

The novel describes the relationship between people and the intelligent ocean of the planet Solaris. At the same time, Lem disputes the position of other science fiction writers who believe that contact with extraterrestrial civilizations will bring total happiness to humanity. The heroes of “Solaris” cannot understand the alien mind, feel lonely far from Earth and are afraid of everything new.

The action takes place in the distant future. But the author raises philosophical questions that are relevant to humanity in the present. Perhaps that is why Andrei Tarkovsky made a film of the same name, and the idea of ​​a smart ocean was reflected in the work “Stars are Cold Toys” by Sergei Lukyanenko.

• Goodreads rating: 4.
• Awards: Hugo Award for Best Novel (1964).

Simak became famous thanks to original ideas, carefully researched plots and the ability to speak simply about complex things.

The hero of the novel is from the American wilderness. At first glance, he leads a measured and uninteresting lifestyle. Everything would be fine, but the person is not... This is what attracts the attention of a CIA agent to him.

• Goodreads rating: 4.2.
• Awards: Hugo Award for Best Novel (1990).

This novel by the American writer is often compared to " The Canterbury Tales"Geoffrey Chaucer, where the narrative includes several time lines at once, and several characters can be called the main ones.

Many worlds are involved in an interstellar war, and the fate of humanity depends on how it ends. On the planet Hyperion, which occupies a key place in this confrontation, the Tombs of Time begin to open - giant structures that move from the future to the past. Seven pilgrims go to these objects to unravel their mystery and save people.

• Goodreads rating: from 4.
• Awards: Lituanikon Prize (2006).

The cycle can be classified as so-called dark fantasy. The main character, the witcher Geralt, protects people from monsters. The action takes place in a world of many races, peoples, communities, each of which strives to defend its interests at all costs.

Sapkowski draws analogies with our reality and ridicules. The series is not over yet, and, according to the author, the next book should be released very soon.

Science fiction is one of the genres of modern literature that “grew” out of romanticism. The forerunners of this direction are called Hoffman, Swift and even Gogol. We will talk about this amazing and magical type of literature in this article. We will also consider the most famous writers directions and their works.

Definition of genre

Fantasy is a term that has ancient Greek origins and literally translates as “the art of imagining.” In literature, it is usually called a direction based on a fantastic assumption in the description of the artistic world and heroes. This genre tells about universes and creatures that do not exist in reality. Often these images are borrowed from folklore and mythology.

Science fiction is not only a literary genre. This is a whole separate movement in art, the main difference of which is the unrealistic assumption underlying the plot. Usually another world is depicted, which exists in a time other than ours, living according to the laws of physics different from those on earth.

Subspecies

Science fiction books currently on sale today bookshelves, can confuse any reader with a variety of topics and plots. Therefore, they have long been divided into types. There are many classifications, but we will try to reflect the most complete one here.

Books of this genre can be divided according to plot features:

• Science fiction, we’ll talk about it in more detail below.
• Dystopian - this includes “Fahrenheit 451” by R. Bradbury, “Immortality Corporation” by R. Sheckley, “The Doomed City” by the Strugatskys.
• Alternative: “The Transatlantic Tunnel” by G. Garrison, “Let the Darkness Never Fall” by L.S. de Campa, “Island of Crimea” by V. Aksenov.
• Fantasy is the most numerous subspecies. Writers working in the genre: J.R.R. Tolkien, A. Belyanin, A. Pekhov, O. Gromyko, R. Salvatore, etc.
• Thriller and horror: H. Lovecraft, S. King, E. Rice.
• Steampunk, steampunk and cyberpunk: “War of the Worlds” by H. Wells, “The Golden Compass” by F. Pullman, “Mockingbird” by A. Pekhov, “Steampunk” by P.D. Filippo.

Genres often mix and new varieties of works appear. For example, love fantasy, detective, adventure, etc. Let us note that fantasy, as one of the most popular types of literature, continues to develop, more and more of its directions appear every year, and it is almost impossible to somehow systematize them.

Foreign books of the fantasy genre

The most popular and famous series of this subtype of literature is “The Lord of the Rings” by J.R.R. Tolkien. The work was written in the middle of the last century, but is still in great demand among fans of the genre. The story tells of the Great War against Evil, which lasted for centuries until the dark lord Sauron was defeated. Centuries have passed peaceful life, and the world is once again in danger. Save Middle-earth from new war Only the hobbit Frodo, who must destroy the One Ring, can.

Another excellent example of fantasy is “A Song of Ice and Fire” by J. Martin. To date, the cycle includes 5 parts, but is considered unfinished. The action of the novels takes place in the Seven Kingdoms, where long summers give way to equal winters. Several families are fighting for power in the state, trying to seize the throne. The series is far from usual magical worlds, where good always defeats evil, and knights are noble and fair. Intrigue, betrayal and death reign here.

The Hunger Games series by S. Collins is also worthy of mention. These books, which quickly became bestsellers, are classified as teenage fiction. The plot tells about the struggle for freedom and the price that the heroes have to pay to get it.

Science fiction is (in literature) separate world who lives by his own laws. And it appeared not at the end of the 20th century, as many people think, but much earlier. It’s just that in those years such works were classified as other genres. For example, these are books by E. Hoffman (“The Sandman”), Jules Verne (“20,000 Leagues Under the Sea”, “Around the Moon”, etc.), H. Wells, etc.

Russian writers

Domestic science fiction authors have also written many books in recent years. Russian writers are slightly inferior foreign colleagues. We list here the most famous of them:

• Sergei Lukyanenko. A very popular cycle is “Watches”. Now not only its creator, but also many others are writing about this series around the world. He is also the author of the following wonderful books and series: “The Boy and the Darkness”, “No Time for Dragons”, “Working on Mistakes”, “Deeptown”, “Sky Seekers”, etc.
• The Strugatsky brothers. They have affairs various types science fiction: “Ugly Swans”, “Monday Starts on Saturday”, “Roadside Picnic”, “It’s Hard to Be a God”, etc.
• Alexey Pekhov, whose books are popular today not only in his homeland, but also in Europe. Let us list the main cycles: “Chronicles of Siala”, “Spark and Wind”, “Kindrat”, “Guardian”.
• Pavel Kornev: “Borderland”, “All-Good Electricity”, “Autumn City”, “Radiant”.

Foreign writers

Famous foreign science fiction writers:

• Isaac Asimov is a famous American author who has written more than 500 books.
• Ray Bradbury is a recognized classic not only of science fiction, but also of world literature.
• Stanislaw Lem is a very famous Polish writer in our country.
• Clifford Simak is considered the founder of American science fiction.
• Robert Heinlein is an author of books for teenagers.

What is science fiction?

Science fiction is a movement in fantasy literature that takes as its plot the rational assumption that unusual things happen due to the incredible development of technical and scientific thought. One of the most popular genres today. But it is often difficult to separate it from related ones, since authors can combine several directions.

Science fiction is (in literature) a great opportunity to imagine what would happen to our civilization if technological progress accelerated or science chose a different path of development. Typically, such works do not violate the generally accepted laws of nature and physics.

The first books of this genre began to appear in the 18th century, when the formation of modern science. But science fiction emerged as an independent literary movement only in the 20th century. J. Verne is considered one of the first writers to work in this genre.

Science fiction: books

Let us list the most famous works of this direction:

• “Master of Torture” (J. Wolfe);
• "Rise from the Dust" (F.H. Farmer);
• "Ender's Game" (O.S. Card);
• “The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy” (D. Adams);
• "Dune" (F. Herbert);
• “Sirens of Titan” (K. Vonnegut).

Science fiction is quite diverse. The books presented here are only the most famous and popular examples of it. It is almost impossible to list all the writers of this type of literature, since they are last decades several hundred appeared.

Currently, so many science fiction books have been written that it is impossible to read them all in one human life. Even if you devote all your time to this, a person still lives too short to master the entire cumulative volume of such works.

Because of large selection avid readers often dig through literary “junk” and cannot choose a worthy thing to read. Meanwhile, at the moment, not just a lot of science fiction books have been written, but a lot of good, simply excellent science fiction books. Some of them became not only recognized masterpieces in their genre, but also influenced the development of literature as a whole.

American science fiction writers of the 20th century were at the origins of the genre. Along with their British colleagues, they practically created science fiction, made it mass and super popular. Some of them were included in the list of “masters of science fiction.” And if you count yourself among the fans of reading in general and the genre we are considering in particular, then be sure to get to know these writers and their the best works.

Dan Simmons

Dan Simmons (date of birth - 04/04/1948) is a modern American science fiction writer who does not give preference to any one literary direction. From his pen came books in the genres of fantasy, classic science fiction, horror, thriller, historical novel and action-packed detective story. But first of all, Dan Simmons is known as the author of one of the best space operas - the tetralogy “The Song of Hyperion”.

Here are his most significant works:

"Songs of Hyperion":

1. "Hyperion" (1989).
2. "The Fall of Hyperion" (1990).
3. "Endymion" (1996).
4. "Endymion Rising" (1997).

Also included in this cycle is the short story “The Orphans of the Spiral,” published in 1990.

“Darwin's Razor” (2000) is an action-packed detective story, flavored with a fair amount of black humor. A book about the confrontation of a famous expert on car accidents and the Russian mafia.

“Terror” (2007) - in this work two genres are organically intertwined - a historical novel and a mystical thriller with elements of horror. The plot was based on a true story about the tragic expedition of the ships "Terror" and "Erebos", but the author added to the plot, in addition to the quite plausible struggle of the crew with the Arctic cold and lack of food, also an attack on people by a huge monster. In March 2018, the series based on the novel “The Terror” began airing.

Trilogy "Night":

1. "Summer of Night" (1991).
2. "Children of the Night" (1992).
3. "Winter Ghosts" (2002).

The first and third books are connected by plot and common characters. All works belong to the horror genre.

Octavia Butler

This writer has become an iconic figure in African-American culture. Her work is a wonderful blend of science fiction, historical fiction, African American literature, and feminist ideas. She is one of the few female science fiction writers who have received worldwide recognition. Octavia Butler (06/22/1947 - 02/24/2006) is the winner of many awards, including two Hugos and two Nebulas. Her debut novel became the most famous and recognized of all works - this is "Kin" (1979). It's about a black woman who, while rescuing a white man, travels back in time and has to learn first-hand what it's like to be a slave. Interestingly, the book was rejected several times due to the fact that it raised a topic that was usually hushed up. But today this work is included in the compulsory reading program in almost all US colleges.

Here are some more of Octavia Butler's best works:

1. “Fledgling” (2005).

2. Cycle “Xenogenesis”:

• "Dawn" (1987).
• “Rituals of Adulthood (1988).
• "Imago" (1989).

3. Cycle “Parables”:

• "Parable of the Sower" (1993).
• "The Parable of the Talents" (1998).

Octavia Butler also wrote five works, united under the name Patternist.

If we remember all the masters of science fiction, we cannot fail to mention Kurt Vonnegut. "Cat's Cradle" is the author's most famous novel, which brought him worldwide popularity. The plot of the work is based on the fact that scientists managed to invent a new, previously unknown substance - ice 9. Just one crystal of modified water turns an entire reservoir into a block of ice, and any leak threatens to turn into a global catastrophe.

The writer’s work organically combines science fiction with elements of the grotesque and parable. Vonnegut considered himself a humanist and therefore in many of his works he touched upon the theme of the responsibility of the world of science for latest discoveries and their impact on the planet.

In addition to Cat's Cradle, Kurt Vonnegut (11.11.1922-11.04.2007) wrote many novels and short stories, among which the following can be highlighted:

1. "Sirens of Titan" (1959).
2. “Mechanical Piano” (1952) - in Russian translation “Utopia”.
3. “Slaughterhouse No. 5” (1969) is the author’s second most important novel, which reflects his military background.
4. “Time Crash” (1997) is a work that left a noticeable mark on American literature.

The books of Isaac Asimov occupy an honorable place in the golden fund of world literature. I, Robot (1950), Bicentennial Man (1957), The Robots of the Dawn are not just stories and novels, they best samples socio-fiction prose. They have long been considered cult, and hundreds of other writers use such concepts as “laws of robotics” and “Asimov’s robots.”

The books of Isaac Asimov (01/02/1920-04/06/1992) do not immediately drag you in - the narrative is leisurely, detailed, and the reader is gradually immersed completely in the book. But after the “buildup” a complete merger occurs.

In addition to the novels mentioned, Isaac Asimov's books are definitely worth reading:

1. "Foundation" (1951) or "Academy" is an unfinished series of novels that other science fiction authors continued to write.
2. A series of fantasy detective novels and stories about police officer Elijah Bailey and the humanoid robot Daniel Olivo (this also includes "Robots of the Dawn").
3. "The Gods Themselves" (1972).

Asimov's most notable contribution to world literature is his understanding of the problem of confrontation between artificial intelligence and man. Some scientists predict that the conclusions drawn by the author will help avoid many mistakes in the future.

Stephen King

It is difficult to find a more famous, popular, read and filmed American science fiction writer than Stephen King. Some critics rate his literary talent rather low, considering him the author of second-rate horror novels. Not bad, but not significant for literature as a whole.

However, it cannot be denied that Stephen King is number one on the list of American science fiction writers today. He became a phenomenon in the writing world. Stephen King is super popular and very prolific, so he delights fans with new releases every year. And his novels are distinguished by their detailed character development, so that the reader perceives them as living people. And although the books contain many unpleasant “physiological” details, they are quite forgivable.

Stephen King is the winner of many literary awards (“Stoker's Burmese”, “World Fantasy Award”, “For Contribution to World Science Fiction”, etc.). Among his works the best are considered:

1. The Dark Tower series (1982-2012) - eight novels connected by a single plot. A cult item, an object of veneration for many fans around the world. References to this work are found in many of the author’s novels. Filmed, but extremely unsuccessfully.
2. "The Shining" (1977). A novel about an ancient hotel with bloodthirsty ghosts, in which the caretaker’s family, cut off from the rest of the world, winters. The work has been filmed several times.
3. “It” (1985) - a two-volume book about a scary clown monster who kills children. Filmed twice.
4. Dreamcatcher (2001) is a science fiction novel about an alien invasion.
5. "The Green Mile" (1996).
6. "Under the Dome" (2009).
7. "The Stand" (1978) - A superflu virus has nearly wiped out the human race, and a handful of survivors must fight back against the forces of evil.

In addition to novels, the writer wrote many short stories and published several collections of his own.

Clifford Simak

Clifford Simak is the greatest American science fiction writer. Distinctive feature his works are a belief in reason, in the good nature of people or non-humans, a call for the unification of humanity and cooperation between all intelligent beings. His best works are considered:

1. "City" (1953) - they live on the land of the future intelligent dogs and robots. Only ancient legends remain about people. The writer received the International Science Fiction Prize for this novel.
2. “Photos of the Battle of Marathon” is the author’s collection of stories.
3. “Live by Supreme Grace” - the novel describes the games of the supermind to create a better civilization by selecting candidates from different times and worlds.
4. "Goblin Sanctuary" is an amazing mixture of fantasy and science fiction, in which there was a place for ghosts, Neanderthals, space travel and a mysterious artifact.
5. “What could be simpler than time” (1961) - in the future, a person can only send his mind to other planets. But one of the travelers returned changed.

Robert Heinlein is one of the most famous American science fiction writers, who largely determined the “face” of modern science fiction. He was repeatedly awarded the prestigious Hugo and Nebula awards. And he is the only author who has received the Hugo Award 5 times for novels and twice more for other literary works.

The best books by Robert Hanlein:

1. The series “The World as a Myth” is a tetralogy about multiverses.
2. Starship Troopers (1959) is a parody novel about a militarized society. Moreover, the parody is so subtle that it was not immediately recognized, and for quite a long time the author was accused of promoting ideas about a “police state.”
3. "Stepchildren of the Universe" (1963).
4. “Tunnel in the Sky” (1955) is a work about cadets stuck on an alien planet with no way to return home.
5. "Double Star" (1956).
6. "Time Enough for Love (1973).

Robert Sheckley - maestro small form in fantasy literature. From his pen came several hundred original stories that surprise not only with unexpected plot twists, but also with an abyss of black humor and satire. Reading at least a few of them is the primary task of any science fiction fan. They can be found in one of 13 author's collections.

But besides short stories, Robert Sheckley also wrote several novels. The most famous among them are: Immortality, Inc. (1958) and Mind Swap (1965).

Philip K. Dick

Philip K. Dick (12/16/1928-03/02/1982) is an American science fiction writer, whose books gained much greater popularity only after the death of the writer. This happened largely thanks to the cult film “Blade Runner” (a sequel to the film has already been released). The film is based on the author’s novel “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep” (1968). In addition to him, Philip K. Dick is a must-read:

1. Transmigration (1981).
2. "A Scanner Darkly" (1977).
3. “Let Your Tears Fall” (1970).
4. "Doctor Death, or How We Lived After the Bomb" (1963).

Frank Herbert

(08.11.1920-11.02.1986) wrote many books. But they know and love him primarily for “The Dune Chronicles” - a collection of six original books that combine a science fiction plot and many philosophical ideas.

He died before finishing his story. But his son Brian Herbert, as a co-author, completed the cycle, writing two more novels. The basis was the writer's drafts.

In addition, The Chronicles of Dune spawned about two dozen sequels from different authors.

William Gibson

(date of birth - 03/17/1948) - famous American science fiction writer. His popularity was brought to him by the book “Neuromancer” (1984), which at that time became a revelation in the world of literature and opened the genre of cyberpunk to readers. Many of the author’s works describe the influence of computers on human life. Despite the fact that the era of computerization was just emerging, William Gibson was already operating with such concepts as “cyberspace”, “ a virtual reality" and "hackers". The most best novels by:

1. Cyberspace is a trilogy that includes Neuromancer.
2. "The Bridge Trilogy" (1993-1999).
3. "Bigend Trilogy" (2003-2010).

Ray Bradbury

Ray Bradbury is a science fiction writer who is especially loved in our country. It is customary to associate him with science fiction, although the writer wrote many poems, plays and fairy tales. The author's most famous work is the story "Fahrenheit 451". This is a dystopia in which the author showed a world without books, without spirituality, without individuality - and therefore the reader is not at all surprised by the natural outcome.

Also, Ray Bradbury (02/22/1920-06/05/2012) is a must-read:

1. “The Martian Chronicles” (1950) - a series of stories about the colonization of the red planet.
2. “Dandelion Wine” (1957) is a story with autobiographical elements.
3. “The Illustrated Man” (1951) is the author’s collection of 18 stories.
4. "Trouble Is Coming" (1962). You can also find the title “Something terrible is coming.”
5. “And There Came Thunder” (1952) is a work about a hunter who, going on a safari into the past, accidentally kills a butterfly, thereby changing the present.

Harry Harrison

Harry Harrison (03/12/1925-08/15/2012) is considered one of the great American science fiction writers based on the totality of his merits. He is not so famous, although his works are popular all over the world. Not as famous as Stephen King or Ray Bradbury. But at the same time, Harry Harrison wrote what can be called classic science fiction. Moreover, all works are written with a fair amount of humor.

The writer wrote about two hundred stories and 35 novels, the best of which are:

1. The Steel Rat series (1985-2010) - 11 novels about the adventures of the best thief and swindler in the Galaxy.
2. The Bill - Hero of the Galaxy series (1965-1992) - eight satirical novels and a story about how to become an excellent soldier.
3. “World of Death” series (1960-2001) - 9 works, some of them written in collaboration with other writers.

Alan Dean Foster

Alan Dean Foster is that rare science fiction writer who writes in different genres, and at the same time you can read absolutely all his works. There are no weak things, but if you choose the best of the best, then it’s worth reading:

1. The Adventures of Flinx series (1983 -2017). In Russia there are only the first six books; the remaining nine have not been translated or published.
2. "The Wizard with the Guitar" (1983-2004) - nine novels that are one of the best fantasy sagas. All books in this series are read in one sitting.
3. The series “Chelanxian Federation” - 15 works, half of them have been translated into Russian.

Books by American science fiction writers from this list are known and loved all over the world. And although many of the authors mentioned have already written their last books, they are remembered for their works.

Return