Science fiction, though often dismissed as meaningless speculation, plays a critical role in the advancement of society because it is built on one foundational pillar: possibility. Few other genres are as obsessed with the question “What if…?” as sci-fi is, and consequently, it possesses an extraordinary ability to inspire. Sci-fi books are portals to worlds that may be possible, both in the metaphorical and sometimes even literal sense, and they give us a glimpse of the infinite roads that lie ahead of us. However, even within science-fiction, there lies a special category of books that are unmatched in their ability to inspire: space fiction.
Space exploration is one of the most common tropes in science fiction, and for good reason. Humanity has been gazing up at the stars since our ancient hunter-gatherer days, so it only makes sense that we would want to explore what is out there, but because technology will never be able to satiate our never-ending desire to explore, we turn to books. In fact, space fiction has been such a successful genre within sci-fi that it has spawned numerous sub-genres dedicated solely to our exploration of the stars, including space opera, planetary romance, and of course, first contact. Alongside these sub-genres, a further distinction can also be made between soft sci-fi books, which are more lenient on scientific principles, and hard sci-fi books, which are based on solid fact and often have detailed explanations of scientific processes.
With such a diverse selection of sub-genres, space-based science fiction has produced numerous hits throughout the years, some of which have received more widespread recognition than others. So without further ado, here is my list (in no particular order) of the best science fiction books ever written about space:
The descriptions below contain a few light spoilers.
Space exploration is one of the most common tropes in science fiction, and for good reason. Humanity has been gazing up at the stars since our ancient hunter-gatherer days, so it only makes sense that we would want to explore what is out there, but because technology will never be able to satiate our never-ending desire to explore, we turn to books. In fact, space fiction has been such a successful genre within sci-fi that it has spawned numerous sub-genres dedicated solely to our exploration of the stars, including space opera, planetary romance, and of course, first contact. Alongside these sub-genres, a further distinction can also be made between soft sci-fi books, which are more lenient on scientific principles, and hard sci-fi books, which are based on solid fact and often have detailed explanations of scientific processes.
With such a diverse selection of sub-genres, space-based science fiction has produced numerous hits throughout the years, some of which have received more widespread recognition than others. So without further ado, here is my list (in no particular order) of the best science fiction books ever written about space:
- The Martian, by Andy Weir
- Saturn Run, by John Sanford and Ctein
- Good Morning, Midnight, by Lily Brooks-Dalton
- 2001: A Space Odyssey, by Arthur C. Clarke
- The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams
- The Player of Games, by Iain M. Banks
- Project Hail Mary, by Andy Weir
The descriptions below contain a few light spoilers.
The Martian by Andy Weir
The first book on this list is arguably the most widely recognized space-fiction book of this century, and if you haven’t read it, you’ve probably at least watched the hugely popular movie. At its core, the plot of the Martian is quite simple: Mark Watney, a NASA astronaut, gets stranded on Mars after a devastating dust storm and must overcome impossible odds to get back to Earth alive. However, what makes this man versus environment plot such an enjoyable read is its perfect combination of humour, suspense, and of course, Weir’s trademark scientific geekiness. This book is so scientifically factual that most scientists would probably be hard-pressed to find errors with the way Weir portrays the Martian environment (you can thank the public for that as Weir crowdsourced a substantial portion of the science in the Martian). In less than 400 pages, not only does Weir suck readers into the world of Mars, but he also manages to (not always covertly) teach them about everything from the caloric content of a potato to the Hohmann transfer orbit. If you like your science fiction leaning heavily towards the science side, then this book is definitely for you. |
Saturn Run by John Sanford and Ctein For fans of the Martian looking for a book that explores a much grander scope, Saturn Run is the perfect book that blends hard science with aliens, a space race, militaristic action, and just the slightest hint of politics. Readers are absorbed into a plot that follows an enormous crew of American astronauts as they race against a similarly-sized Chinese expedition to reach Saturn, where evidence of intelligent alien life has recently emerged. Even though there is an absurdly large number of characters, each one feels defined and rounded, with unique sets of intentions, motivations, and backstories. The diversity of characters, who range from military captains, to scientists, to television personalities and even to the President herself, also plays a role in the enormous scope of Saturn Run. And, the fact that Saturn Run ends off with one of the best epilogues I have ever read only shows the strength of the writers. |
Good Morning, Midnight by Lily Brooks-Dalton Forget everything you’ve learned to expect about books that deal with space because in Good Morning, Midnight, space takes the back burner, and that is okay. In fact, space is largely used as a setting, but that is what makes the book so thought-provoking. It is a quiet read that deals with existential questions like “what is left when we are gone?” through the stories of Augustine, an astronomer in the Arctic, and Sully, an astronaut returning to Earth from Jupiter. Though their stories are separate at first, they gradually intertwine, and ultimately coalesce into a deeply profound conclusion. And by the way, if you’re wondering what the plot entails, you’re in for a shock, because it is kept to an absolute minimum, at least if compared to the other books on this list. However, again, that only serves to benefit the book. If sci-fi is not normally your thing, then you might want to give Good Morning, Midnight a try. |
2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke If there is one book that defined space fiction in the twentieth century, then 2001: A Space Odyssey is it. Arthur C. Clarke’s masterpiece has become a classic staple of science fiction, and even if you haven’t read the book or watched the groundbreaking movie, you have probably encountered a reference to either monoliths or the rogue artificial intelligence HAL 9000. Clarke’s distinct style of writing makes use of a disconnect between the reader and characters, making it feel like profound events are in motion. Additionally, short punchy chapters keep the story moving at all times, which further contributes to the sense of grandness. This is one sci-fi book that everyone should read before they die. |
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams The absurdity of this cosmic comedy can be summarized with the statement: “The ultimate answer to life, the universe, and everything is...42!” Douglas Adams’s hit classic has become ingrained in pop culture in a way that few books have ever achieved, so there is no excuse not to read the book that spawned a whole culture based on references to towels, the number 42, and the phrase “Don’t Panic!” For a wild ride that will bend your mind in ways you didn’t know were possible, be sure to check out The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. |
The Player of Games, by Iain M. Banks I briefly mentioned the space opera sub-genre in the introduction, so it only makes sense that this list contains a book by Iain M. Banks, who is by far the most successful space opera author of all time. His Culture series of books has come to define the genre, with each entry standing out for a different reason. However, if there is one book that towers above the others, it is the second book in the series, The Player of Games. Banks crafts an incredible story full of cultural depth that follows Jernau Morat Gurgeh, a professional board game player, as he climbs up the ranks of a distant alien empire built around a single board game of enormous scope. In terms of science, this book is definitely on the soft side as Banks focuses on the cultural implications of spaceflight and contact with alien races. If you only choose to read only one space opera book, then The Player of Games should be it. |
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
The third full-length novel written by Andy Weir builds on everything that he laid out in The Martian, and then does some more. Without giving away major spoilers, the premise of Project Hail Mary can roughly be summarized as: Ryland Grace, a lonely astronaut (again!) suffering from amnesia, must find a way to save humanity from an apocalyptic threat, though thankfully, humans are not the only species struggling with this challenge. One of the major distinguishing features of this book is that it manages to make an interstellar voyage scientifically possible, which is much more difficult than it seems. Even though the plot of Project Hail Mary seems like science fantasy at first, Weir develops it in a way that stays grounded in reality. The second quirk of this book is that it is one of the few books that put a positive spin on first contact. There are no evil sentient aliens looking to invade Earth (keyword being sentient), but there is a strangely relatable alien sidekick whose occasional comments like “why is your face leaking, human?” make the reader question the line between normality and abnormality when thinking beyond a human context. |
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