Science Fiction Classics
Philip K. Dick
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
I was always very taken with the old Sci-fi book covers of the 1960s. Not the ones with futuristic space ships but ones that tried to condense the themes of the novel to a few motifs.
Kurt Vonnegut
Sirens of Titan
Vonnegut's 'Sirens of Titan' follows the intersecting lives of Malachi Constant, a wealthy playboy, and Winston Niles Rumfoord, a wealthy eccentric. The story begins with Malachi being kidnapped by the Tralfamadorians, an alien race, and sent on a journey through the galaxy. Along the way, he encounters a Martian invasion, a sentient space probe and a number of other peculiar events that are all intricately connected. It explores themes of free will and fate, and the human need for purpose and meaning in a seemingly meaningless universe, all presented with Vonnegut's characteristic dry wit and irony.
Philip K. Dick
The Man in the High Castle
Man in the High Castle' is a mind-bending, alternative history novel that explores a world where the Axis powers have won World War II. The story follows a diverse cast of characters living in the occupied territories of the US, as they navigate the harsh realities of living under fascist rule. Characters struggle to find meaning and purpose in a world that has been drastically altered by war.
Dan Simmons
Hyperion
The book is set in a future where humanity has colonised several planets and has developed faster than light travel and follows a group of seven travellers who embark on a pilgrimage to the planet Hyperion. It has a complex and multi-layered narrative, blending elements of science fiction, fantasy, and classical literature, exploring the nature of reality, the purpose of existence, and the consequences of technological advancement.
