Which Sci-Fi novel of the past depicts today for you Social/Political

1. 86

   tsmogposted 2 years ago

   Was looking though my book shelf of past books read seeking something to read while wondering how relevant those were to today? The one that sticks out the most is Brave New World with the biological advancements today, the development of corporatism becoming greater than nationalism, and oddity of being shall we say normal.
   
   Anyway, which Sci-Fi Novel stands out for you today that depicts society and governing/politics contrast the individual? Why?
   
   Here are some of the choices I pondered, yet I am going to read Stranger in a Strange Land I think first.
   
   Animal Farm by George Orwell (1945)
   
   1984 by George Orwell (1949)
   
   Brave New World by Aldus Huxley (1932)
   
   Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (1945)
   
   Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein (1961)
   
   I, Robot by Isaac Asimov (1950)
   
   Or . . .

   replyreport
   1. 86

      James A Watkinsposted 2 years agoin reply to this

      Brave New World, 1984, and Fahrenheit 451 in that order I'd say.

      replyreport
   2. 82

      peterstreepposted 2 years agoin reply to this

      The Handmaid's tale from Margaret Atwood surely should be on the list. I think it's not for nothing that the series became so popular, people recognized elements from it in today's society.

      replyreport
2. 87

   Jodahposted 2 years ago

   1984, but I can see how Brave New World also would be relevant. You offer a good selection.

   replyreport
   1. 86

      tsmogposted 2 years agoin reply to this

      Yeah, 1984 is a good choice too. I think all of the oldies gathering dust on my shelf is worth reading again. I read them back in the mid '70's, so I am sure I will have a totally different perspective today as I did then. It may be more interesting since there is strong propensity they are more truer to fact now than when I read them. Thinking specifically at this moment on I, Robot with the no longer emerging AI, yet the extremely rapid pace of it in all aspects of our lives.
      
      I have a niece who a year ago graduated with a degree in literature. We discussed what we read and we both really were not familiar with our favorite authors or books in the sci-fi genre. I found it interesting the ones mentioned above she only had a passing familiarity with. Yet, she rattled off a bunch I was completely ignorant of. I may email her for a some recommendations to read instead of re-reading the above ones. Or, both.

      replyreport
3. 83

   Stephen Tomkinsonposted 2 years ago

   Interesting post.
   I would add Neuromancer by William Gibson to your list.

   replyreport
   1. 86

      tsmogposted 2 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for turning me onto that recommendation. I read just enough on it on Wikipedia to become interested and then purposely stopped so there would not be any spoiler. I may go to Amazon to get a couple of paper backs today or tomorrow and if I do it is on my list.

      replyreport
      1. 81

         GA Andersonposted 2 years agoin reply to this

         No, no. Not paperbacks. Good books are to be held, to hold a measured place on your bookshelf. Hardcover. You must get hardcover books. Pooh on paperbacks.
         
         As a note, Stranger in a Strange land grew on me with every page as I began to 'Grok' the message. I wasn't alone in that feeling. I recall an anecdote about Heinlein being asked what he thought of the 'cult' that had grown around his book. Some folks even made 'pilgrimages' to see him.
         
         Heinlein thought it was crazy. He said something like, it was just a damn sci-fi story, not a revelation.
         
         GA

         replyreport
      2. 71

         Ken Burgessposted 2 years agoin reply to this

         The Apprentice Adept Series had some interesting insights.

         replyreport
   2. 82

      peterstreepposted 2 years agoin reply to this

      Yes lots of Willian Gibson's books reflect a lot of elements of today's society.

      replyreport
4. 94

   wildernessposted 2 years ago

   I would suggest "Foundation", by Asimov, or at least the first book of the series.
   
   It concerns an all powerful government that will do anything it wants, and that completely refuses to accept what it does not want to hear.  Facts are turned into lies, or ignored, and those speaking them exiled or killed.

   replyreport
   1. 81

      GA Andersonposted 2 years agoin reply to this

      You beat me to it. The Foundation series is the best sci-fi I have read. (and reread)
      
      I have a list of the volumes I am still trying to find in hardcover. Finding Foundation' in a reasonably priced copy would be nice.
      
      * as a note to my tsmog comment, yeah, I have paperbacks of the whole series, that I don't have hardcovers for, but only because I can't get my hands on the hardcovers.
      
      GA

      replyreport
      1. 94

         wildernessposted 2 years agoin reply to this

         Ugh.  I can't tolerate hardbacks and only buy them when there is nothing else available and won't be.  And then I generally give them away.
         
         I simply have too many books (Including the Foundation series though they are getting a little dogeared from re-reading them) to go with hardcovers  .  They take up too much room.

         replyreport
         1. 81

            GA Andersonposted 2 years agoin reply to this

            Yeah, Ugh! I also give away any paperbacks I have hardcovers for. For me, holding the hardcover book as I read is part of the satisfaction of reading.
            
            GA

            replyreport
5. 83

   Stephen Tomkinsonposted 2 years ago

   "Foundation" is an excellent choice.

   replyreport
6. 83

   Stephen Tomkinsonposted 2 years ago

   Sadly he's no longer with us, but anything by Iain M. Banks is well worth reading.

   replyreport
7. 86

   tsmogposted 2 years ago

   Thanks everyone for the recommendations. I have done a peek online to get a jest of the plot and find interest in all the recommendations. I like hardcover too, yet am on a budget these days. If there is a deal on a hardcover at Amazon then great.
   
   Interestingly earlier in the year being a Heinlein fan I decided I would like to read his biography. So, at Amazon I got a two volume one. I did not do my diligence as it turned out each volume is about 700 pages each. I thought maybe 200. So, they are gathering dust waiting for me to commit to reading them. From my looking about he lived a very interesting life. I found his politics fascinating.
   
   If any are interested below is a link to the Heinlein Society that I follow on Facebook. There posts are very interesting and hit you in the gut at times with truths related to today using quotes from his books, cartoons, and announcements.
   
   The Heinlein Society
   https://www.heinleinsociety.org/
   
   Again, thanks for the recommendations!!!

   replyreport
   1. 94

      wildernessposted 2 years agoin reply to this

      LOL  I follow that facebook group as well, and enjoy their posts.

      replyreport