Explore the world of classic sci-fi books

In today's article, I'll give you ten tips for "classic sci-fi" reads that no fan of the genre should miss and that deserve a place of honor on your bookshelf. I don't intend to drag you through second-hand bookstores or fight over auctions, so you'll find titles here that were published roughly in the last two years. In other words – they are available.

It's worth mentioning at the start that some classics are missing, especially those from longer series where the final volumes have only just been released or recently reprinted. This includes Asimov's Foundation, Simmons' Hyperion series, the Ender's Game cycle by Orson Scott Card, and others. And we certainly shouldn't forget other famous authors like Ray Bradbury, Brian W. Aldiss, Frederik G. Pohl Jr., Bruce Sterling, William Gibson, Henry Kuttner, Harry Harrison, Clifford D. Simak, Philip K. Dick, and many more.

From the authors I'm about to discuss, it's definitely not just the recommended title that's worth reading. The trick is that many of the books I've included have been adapted for the screen. I won't get into how the individual silver screen adaptations turned out. Trust me, though, the frequent claim that the book is better than the movie didn't come from nowhere.

I'd also like to point out one important fact to younger readers. Although this is a selection from the golden age of science fiction, the authors wrote in a somewhat different style than what you might be used to today. Even back then, sci-fi authors had to master their craft, and not just anyone could get published. After all, if the book wasn't good, renowned directors wouldn't be lining up to adapt it, right? So, dive right in:

John W. Campbell Jr. – Who Goes There? (Fobos, 2021)

This 1938 novella is the source material for the cult Carpenter's sci-fi horror The Thing starring Kurt Russell. As is often the case, the movie differs somewhat from the book, but that doesn't mean one is worse than the other. On the contrary, the book will broaden your horizons, bring you closer to the original author's intent, and transport you to a different time period than the film.

What's also interesting about Campbell is that he eventually left his writing career behind to become the editor of one of the most famous sci-fi magazines, Analog. Thanks to this, he shaped the writing careers of giants like Isaac Asimov, Robert A. Heinlein, and others. Who Goes There? certainly hasn't aged in terms of tension and the fear of an unknown organism.

John Wyndham – The Day of the Triffids (BBart, 2021)

A novel that hasn't aged a day since its publication in 1951. It's still being reprinted again and again, and various adaptations keep popping up. You always get the feeling that if things go sideways, Nature itself will come along and kick our butts. I've read The Day of the Triffids multiple times and own about two editions, but I had to buy this one again because Lawrence Mann's cover is absolutely spot-on and amazing.

There are plenty of post-apocalyptic stories today, but I grew up on The Day of the Triffids and Robert Merle's Malevil, and even though those books are getting on in years, most modern production doesn't even come close to them.

Robert A. Heinlein – Starship Troopers (Triton / Argo, 2021)

Starship Troopers is another book known to the general public primarily thanks to its film adaptation. But here, too, we can say that the core of the 1959 novel is something else entirely. It's not just an action shooter about mowing down space bugs, but rather a cruel existential and, in fact, romantic journey into the souls of warriors for whom combat is the highest value.

After all, human history is full of wars, destruction, and death. Heinlein certainly didn't write a militant novel promoting war and death, yet for many, this book is at least controversial, and they attribute a near-demonic message to it.

Stanisław Lem – Solaris (Kniha Zlín, 2021)

The fact that master-class SF isn't just a matter for Anglo-American authors is clearly confirmed by the acclaimed Polish writer Stanisław Lem. Thanks to their quality, his works broke through not only across the ocean but also through the Iron Curtain. In 1961, he published his most famous novel, Solaris, which has even seen four film adaptations.

Lem proved here that he is not only a high-quality author and an expert in many fields of human activity but also a remarkable visionary. In the book, he was perhaps the first to point out that intelligent life that evolved independently of us would likely be completely different from the human race, and understanding it would be a real nut to crack for us.

Walter Tevis – The Man Who Fell to Earth (Argo, 2021)

This gem comes from 1963 and was recently published here for the very first time. Its author, Walter Tevis, is known here for his excellent sci-fi novel Mockingbird or the chess drama The Queen's Gambit, which was adapted into a Netflix series. You might also know The Man Who Fell to Earth from its film adaptation. It appeared in 1976, and the lead role of the alien who fell to our planet was played by singer David Bowie.

True, even here, the film places emphasis elsewhere than the book itself. Regardless, if you want to read sci-fi where the plot, character development, and, above all, humanity are prioritized over detailed technical descriptions, this is the one! Plus, it's quite poignant how it all ends and how Tevis views the influence of human nature on higher intelligence.

Frank Herbert – Dune (Baronet, 2021)

This work probably doesn't need an introduction, not least because of its two film adaptations. Even though I really hate using this label, Dune is a cult classic! It first appeared on bookstore shelves in 1965 and has been attracting new generations of readers ever since. The current film adaptation, for which we are impatiently awaiting the second part, has brought the novel back into the spotlight. Baronet Publishing didn't hesitate and provided the new edition with a movie cover.

However, it's necessary to mention that Dune has many sequels, honestly of varying quality, and if you want the whole series to look nice on your shelf, you should reach for the previous cover. In any case, this adventure on the planet Arrakis definitely doesn't age.

Arthur C. Clarke – Rendezvous with Rama (Argo, 2022)

A few days ago, a new edition of the seminal novel Rendezvous with Rama by another classic sci-fi visionary, Arthur C. Clarke, hit the shelves. The original edition dates back to 1973 and tells the story of humanity's encounter with a gigantic spacecraft of unknown origin.

You could say that the bowels of the spacecraft contain an unknown world. And now it's up to humanity to decide how to deal with it. It should be noted that this is the first part of a famous tetralogy, but as is often the case, it's also the best book of the entire series. By the way, rumors in the industry suggest that Denis Villeneuve, for whom directing Dune clearly wasn't enough, would be keenly interested in a film adaptation of this book.

Roger Zelazny – Roadmarks (Laser-books, 2022)

Personally, I've always considered Roger Zelazny, an American novelist with Polish roots, more of a fantasy author. And that's kind of outside my wheelhouse. The first Czech edition of Roadmarks didn't grab me with its cover, so I only took notice this year when the novel was released in the SF Masterpieces edition.

And there's a reason for that. The 1979 novel is a rich mix of sci-fi, true and alternative history, thriller, and fantasy. Together with the main character, we set out on a road that stretches from the ancient past to the distant future, and it's going to be a very tense and interesting journey.

Robert Silverberg – The Best of Robert Silverberg (Laser-books, 2021)

I saved two short story collections for the end. Perhaps some have already realized that the books in this list are arranged chronologically by their original publication date. This collection was published "only" in 2004, but it contains stories from six decades of work by SF grandmaster Robert Silverberg.

As is the case with short story collections, some will suit you more, others less. In any case, it is a very representative selection from one of the greatest authors of speculative fiction. Let's admit it, writing a short story so that you remember it even after a few years is the greatest art. And you'll find a few of those in this book.

Harlan Ellison – The Essential Ellison (Argo, 2020)

When you look at the publishers of the books mentioned here, it must simply conclude that Laser-books and especially Argo are doing the most meritorious work in providing insight into classic science fiction works. Argo, for example, published a beautiful collection of award-winning stories by American writer Harlan Ellison.

The collection The Essential Ellison was first published abroad in 2014, and I think it introduced many younger sci-fi fans to one of the best short story writers of the genre. Ellison might not be for everyone, but if he speaks to you, you won't be able to resist the feeling of discovering a great read.

authors: Roman Bílek