American science fiction writers and books

So many fantastic books have already been written that it is impossible to read all of them in one human life. Even if you devote all your time to this, a person still lives too little to master the entire aggregate volume of such works.

Due to the large selection, avid readers often delve into the literary “rubbish” and cannot choose a worthy thing to read. Meanwhile, at the moment, not just many fantastic books have been written, but many good, just great, fantastic books. Some of them became not only recognized masterpieces in their genre, but also influenced the development of literature as a whole.

American science fiction writers of the 20th century stood at the origins of the genre. Along with their British colleagues, they practically created science fiction, made it mass and super-popular. Some of them were included in the list of "masters of fiction." And if you consider yourself among the fans of reading in general and the genre we are considering in particular, then be sure to get acquainted with these writers and their best works.

Dan simmons

Dan Simmons (date of birth - 04.04.1948) is a modern American science fiction writer who does not give preference to any one literary direction. From his pen came books in the genre of fantasy, classic science fiction, horror, thriller, historical novel and action-packed detective story. But first of all, Dan Simmons is known as the author of one of the best cosmo-operas - the tetralogy “Songs of Hyperion”.

Here are his most significant works:

"Songs of Hyperion":

1. Hyperion (1989).
2. The Fall of Hyperion (1990).
3. Endymion (1996).
4. The Rise of Endymion (1997).

Also included in this series is the novel "Orphans of the Spiral", published in 1990.

“Darwin's Razor” (2000) is an action-packed detective, flavored with a fair amount of black humor. A book about the confrontation of a well-known expert in car accidents and the Russian mafia.

"Terror" (2007) - in this work two genres are organically intertwined - a historical novel and a mystical thriller with elements of horror. The plot was based on a true story about the tragic expedition of the Terror and Erebos ships, but the author added to the plot, in addition to the believable struggle of the crew with the Arctic cold and lack of food, also an attack on the people of a huge monster. In March 2018, the start of the show, based on the novel "Terror", began.

The trilogy "Night":

1. “Summer of the Night” (1991).
2. “Children of the Night” (1992).
3. “Winter Ghosts” (2002).

The first and third books are connected by plot and common heroes. All works belong to the genre of horrors.

Octavia Butler

This writer has become an iconic figure in African American culture. Her work is an amazing mixture of science fiction, historical prose, African American literature, and feminist ideas. She is one of the few science fiction women to have received worldwide recognition. Octavia Butler (06.22.1947-24.02.2006) is a laureate of many awards, including twice the Hugo and twice the Nebula. Her debut novel became the most famous and recognized of all works - this is “Relatives” (1979). It is about a black woman who, saving a white man, falls into the past, and she has to learn from experience how it feels to be a slave. Interestingly, the book was rejected several times due to the fact that it raised a topic that was usually hushed up. But today, this work is included in the compulsory reading program in almost all US colleges.

Here are some more of Octavia Butler’s best works:

1. “Fledgling youth” (2005).

2. The cycle "Xenogenesis":

• "Dawn" (1987).
• “Rituals of adulthood (1988).
• Imago (1989).

3. The cycle of “Proverbs”:

• The Parable of the Sower (1993).
• The Parable of Talent (1998).

Octavia Butler also wrote five works, united under the name Patternist.

Kurt Vonnegut

If you recall all the masters of science fiction, you can not help but mention Kurt Vonnegut. “Cradle for the Cat” is the author’s most famous novel, which brought him worldwide popularity. The plot of the work is based on the fact that scientists managed to invent a new, previously unknown substance - ice 9. Only one crystal of modified water turns a whole pond into a block of ice, and any leak threatens to turn into a global catastrophe.

In the writer's work, science fiction is organically combined with elements of the grotesque and parable. Vonnegut considered himself a humanist and therefore in many of his works touched on the themes of responsibility of the world of science for recent discoveries and their impact on the planet.

In addition to “Cradle for the Cat” Kurt Vonnegut (11/11/1922-11.04.2007) wrote many novels and short stories, among which the following can be highlighted:

1. The Sirens of the Titan (1959).
2. "Mechanical Piano" (1952) - in the Russian translation of "Utopia".
3. “Slaughterhouse No. 5” (1969) is the author’s second most important novel, in which his military past was reflected.
4. "Timing" (1997) - a work that left a noticeable mark in American literature.

Kurt Vonnegut is also the author of comics based on which the series "Crypt from the Crypt" was shot.

Isaac Asimov

The books of Isaac Asimov occupy an honorable place in the golden fund of world literature. “I, Robot” (1950), “Bicentennial Man (1957),“ Morning Dawn Robots ”are not just stories and novels, they are the best examples of socially-fantastic prose. They have long been considered a cult, and hundreds of other writers use concepts such as the "laws of robotics" and "Azimov robots."

The books of Isaac Asimov (01/02/1920-06.04.1992) did not immediately drag out - the narrative is unhurried, detailed, and the reader gradually plunges completely into the book. But after the "buildup" there is a complete merger.

In addition to the mentioned novels, Isaac Asimov should definitely read:

1. The Foundation (1951) or The Academy is an unfinished series of novels that other science fiction authors have continued to write.
2. A series of fantastic detective novels and stories about police officer Elijah Bailey and the humanoid robot Daniel Olivo (this also includes Morning Dawn Robots).
3. "Gods themselves" (1972).

Azimov’s most notable contribution to world literature is his understanding of the problem of confronting artificial reason and man. Some of the scientists predict that the conclusions made by the author will help to avoid many mistakes in the future.

Stephen king

It’s hard to find a more eminent, popular, readable, and filmable American science fiction writer than Stephen King. Some critics rate his literary talent rather low, considering him the author of second-rate horror novels. Good, but not relevant to the literature as a whole.

However, one cannot deny that Stephen King is number one on the list of American science fiction writers today. He became a phenomenon in the writing world. Stephen King is overpopular and very prolific, so annually pleases fans with new products. And his novels are distinguished by a detailed study of the characters, so that the reader perceives them as living people. And although there are a lot of unpleasant "physiological" details in the books, they are quite excusable.

Stephen King is a laureate of many literary awards (“Brema Stoker”, “World Fantasy Award”, “For Contribution to World Fiction”, etc.). Among his works are considered the best:

1. The cycle "Dark Tower" (1982-2012) - eight novels connected by a single plot. A cult thing, the subject of worship of many fans around the world. References to this work are found in many novels of the author. Filmed, but extremely unsuccessful.
2. The Shining (1977). The novel is about an old hotel with bloodthirsty ghosts in which the caretaker's family, cut off from the whole world, winters. The work was repeatedly filmed.
3. “It” (1985) is a two-volume book about a terrible clown monster killing children. Twice filmed.
4. Dream Catcher (2001) is a science fiction novel about an alien invasion.
5. The Green Mile (1996).
6. “Under the Dome” (2009).
7. “Confrontation” (1978) - the super influenza virus almost destroyed the human race, and a handful of survivors should repel the forces of evil.

In addition to novels, the writer wrote many short stories and published several collections of authors.

Clifford simak

Clifford Saymak - the largest American science fiction. A distinctive feature of his works is a belief in reason, a good beginning in people or nonhumans, a call for the unification of mankind and cooperation between all intelligent beings. His best works are:

1. "City" (1953) - intelligent dogs and robots live on the land of the future. About people there were only ancient legends. The writer received the International Science Fiction Award for this novel.
2. “Photo of the Battle of the Marathon” is an author’s storybook.
3. “Live with the highest mercy” - the novel describes the games of the superintelligence to create a better civilization by selecting candidates from different times and worlds.
4. The Goblin Sanctuary is an amazing mix of fantasy and science fiction, in which there was a place for ghosts, Neanderthals, space travel and a mysterious artifact.
5. “What could be simpler than time” (1961) - in the future, a person can send only his mind to other planets. But one of the travelers returned to the other.

Robert Heinlein

Robert Heinlein is one of the most famous American science fiction writers who has largely defined the “face” of modern science fiction. He was repeatedly awarded the prestigious Hugo and Nebula Prizes. And he is the only author who received the Hugo Prize 5 times for novels and twice more for other literary works.

The best books of Robert Hanline:

1. The cycle “World as a myth” is a tetralogy about the multiverse.
2. Star Troopers (1959) is a parody of a militarized society. Moreover, the parody is so subtle that it was not recognized right away, and for quite some time the author was accused of promoting ideas about a “police state”.
3. "Stepsons of the Universe" (1963).
4. Tunnel in the Sky (1955) is a work about cadets stuck on an alien planet without the possibility of returning home.
5. The Double Star (1956).
6. “Enough time for love (1973).

Robert Sheckley

Robert Sheckley is a small form maestro in science fiction. Several hundred original stories came out from under his pen, which surprise not only with unexpected plot twists, but also with an abyss of black humor and satire. Reading at least a few of them is the first priority of any science fiction fan. They can be found in one of 13 copyright collections.

But besides short stories, Robert Sheckley also wrote several novels. The most famous among them are: “Corporation Immortality” (1958) and “Exchange of Minds” (1965).

Philip C. Dick

Philip Dick (12.16.1928-02.03.1982) is an American science fiction writer whose books gained much greater popularity only after the death of the writer. This was largely due to the cult film Blade Runner (the sequel has already been released). The tape was shot based on the author’s novel “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep” (1968). In addition to him, Philip Dick must read:

1. Transmigration (1981).
2. "Turbidity" (1977).
3. “Shed Tears” (1970).
4. "Doctor Death, or How We Lived After the Bomb" (1963).

Frank Herbert

Frank Herbert (11/08/1920/11/02/1986) wrote a lot of books. But they know and love him first of all for “The Chronicles of the Dune” - a collection of six original books that combine a science-fiction plot and many philosophical ideas.

Frank Herbert died before he finished his story. But his son, Brian Herbert, in collaboration with Kevin Anderson, completed the cycle by writing two more novels. Drafts of the writer formed the basis.

In addition, "The Chronicles of Dune" generated about two dozen sequels from different authors.

William Gibson

William Gibson (Born March 17, 1948) is a famous American science fiction writer. The book “Neuromancer” (1984) brought him popularity, which at that time was a revelation in the world of literature and opened to readers such a genre as cyberpunk. Many works of the author describe the influence of computers on human life. Despite the fact that the era of computerization was just in its infancy, William Gibson already operated with concepts such as “cyberspace,” “virtual reality,” and “hackers.” The best novels of the author:

1. Cyberspace is a trilogy that includes Neuromancer.
2. The Trilogy of the Bridge (1993-1999).
3. The Bigend Trilogy (2003-2010).

Ray Bradbury

Ray Bradbury is a science fiction writer who is especially loved in our country. It is customary to associate it with science fiction, although the writer wrote many poems, plays and fairy tales. The author’s most famous work is the novel “451 Fahrenheit”. This is an anti-utopia in which the author showed the world without books, without spirituality, without individuality - and therefore the reader is not at all surprised at the natural outcome.

Also, Ray Bradbury (02.22.1920-05.06.2012) must read:

1. “Martian Chronicles” (1950) - a series of stories about the colonization of the red planet.
2. “Dandelion Wine” (1957) - a story with autobiographical elements.
3. “The Man in Pictures” (1951) is an authorial collection of 18 stories.
4. “The trouble is coming” (1962). You can also find the name "Something terrible is coming."
5. “And the thunder struck” (1952) - a work about a hunter who, having gone on a safari to the past, accidentally kills a butterfly, thereby changing the present.

Harry harrison

Harry Harrison (03/12/1925-15.08.2012) ranked among the great American science fiction writers on the basis of merit. He is not so famous, although his works are popular all over the world. Not as famous as Stephen King or Ray Bradbury. But at the same time, Harry Harrison wrote what can be called classic science fiction. Moreover, all the works are written with a fair amount of humor.

The writer wrote about two hundred stories and 35 novels, the best of which are:

1. The Steel Rat series (1985-2010) - 11 novels about the adventures of the best thief and con man in the Galaxy.
2. The series “Bill - Hero of the Galaxy” (1965-1992) - eight satirical novels and a story about how to become an excellent soldier.
3. The series "World of Death" (1960-2001) - 9 works, some of them were written in collaboration with other writers.

Alan Dean Foster

Alan Dean Foster is that rare science fiction writer who writes in different genres, and at the same time he can read absolutely all the works. There are no weak things, but if you choose the best of the best, then you should read:

1. Series "The Adventures of Flinks" (1983 -2017). In Russia, there are only the first six books, the remaining nine have not been translated or published.
2. “The Wizard with a Guitar” (1983-2004) - nine novels that are one of the best fantasy sagas. All books in this series are read in one go.
3. The Chelankee Federation series - 15 works, half of them have been translated into Russian.

Books of American science fiction writers from this list are known and loved around the world. And although many of the authors mentioned have already written their latest books, they are remembered for their works.