We often dismiss the concept of aliens or life beyond earth as something that is completely fictional and will alway be fictional. Extraterrestrial life has long been a topic of discovery, be it in shows, movies or books. People are always searching for answers to some critical questions about life in the universe. It is also noted that most ideas stem from actual scientific explanations and concepts, something very easily recreatable in the near future, at least theoretically. Science fiction books and movies give us a chance to visualise this world and see the unseen in our imaginations or the big screen. Science fiction is so much more than entertainment, it’s a generative act that creates new possibilities of life beyond earth, as valid and potent as anything we might conjure up in the lab. So, here’s a list of some of the most intelligently written sci-fi stories that will stay with you forever.
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PROJECT HAIL MARY
Written by Andy Weir, also the writer of the very famous The Martian, has nailed it when it comes to sci-fi writing. He has the ability to write in such a manner that whether you are reading his books or watching his movies, everything seems so real and charming. His heroes are always some of the most real and authentic personalities. Project hail mary starts with the protagonist, Ryland Grace, who is a high school teacher and finds himself stuck in a spaceship after waking up from a coma affected by amnesia. The story starts with him figuring out where he is and what he was sent for. He gradually remembers that he was sent to the Tau Ceti solar system, 12 light-years from Earth, to find a means of reversing a solar dimming event that could cause the extinction of humanity. The story follows two storylines, each told chronologically, starting with the story on board the spacecraft Hail Mary where Ryland Grace regains his memory in bursts. This story is frequently intercut with flashbacks revealing earlier events leading up to the launch of the Hail Mary.It is a story packed with adventure and fast paced action. It also has elements of surprise that will definitely leave you in awe of the entire novel.
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DUNE
Dune has become widely popular because of its movies, starring the absolutely stunning duo of Zendaya and Timothee Chalamet. Way before the inception of the movies, began the books.Dune is an American science fiction media franchise that originated with the 1965 novel Dune by Frank Herbert[a] and has continued to add new publications. The Dune universe, set in the distant future of humanity, has a history that stretches thousands of years (some 15,000 years in total) and covers considerable changes in political, social, and religious structure as well as technology.It deals with a lot of complex issues like the consequences of faster than light travel and the over-reaction against computers. Of key interest is the planet Arrakis, known as “Dune”. A desert planet with barely any precipitation, it is the only planet where a special life-extending drug, melange (or “the spice”), can be found. Melange is challenging to acquire due to the harsh environment of Arrakis, and the presence of giant sandworms that are drawn towards any rhythmic sounds on the sands of the desert. While the first book takes its own sweet time to establish the plot but eventually in the other books the pace is hastened. It is a great book if you are looking for a great storyline and a wide cast of highly interesting characters.
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EXHALATION
You might pick this book for its beautiful cover but you will stay for the exceptionally outstanding short stories it comprises. Seen in Barack Obama’s reading list and him having often talked about it, it gained a lot of popularity in recent years. It is a collection of short stories, each dealing with their own issues regarding humanity and the universe. Exhalation: Stories contains nine stories exploring such issues as humankind’s place in the universe, the nature of humanity, bioethics, virtual reality, free will and determinism, time travel, and the uses of robotic forms of A.I. Some of the most interesting stories are the ones like The Merchant and the Alchemists Gate which got three highly prestigious awards namely, Nebula Award, Hugo Award and the Seiun Award. One of my personal favorites was Exhalation itself. That story changed me and made me realize just how much we have messed up the environment.
All these books come under the category of science fiction but that day isn’t far when it becomes reality. The changing times, advancements in astronomy and extensive research on extraterrestrial life give some promising insight into what could be the future. I just hope it’s a good one.
