Books matching: distant future
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The Book of Dave by Will Self is a complex and gripping novel that intertwines the story of a psychotic London cabbie who writes a book for his estranged son with a post-apocalyptic world where rising sea levels have transformed London into a wild archipelago. The book buried under the cabbie's ex-wife's patio is unearthed hundreds of years later and taken as gospel by a society struggling to make sense of its past. The narrative alternates between the present-day struggles of Dave and the future residents of Ham who follow the teachings of Dave's book, creating a fascinating exploration of family, madness, love, and religion.
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Save:"The Time Machine" by H.G. Wells follows the Time Traveler as he journeys into the future, discovering a world where humanity has evolved into two distinct classes - the Eloi, a gentle and fragile species living above ground, and the Morlocks, a sinister and hideous race residing underground. The narrative explores themes of human evolution, class divisions, and societal decay, presenting a thought-provoking commentary on industrialization and the potential future of society. Despite the book's vintage writing style, readers find it easy to follow and engaging due to the intriguing storyline and Wells's reflections on the concerns of the Nineteenth Century.
The Time Traveller (for so it will be convenient to speak of him) was expounding a recondite matter to us. His grey eyes shone and twinkled, and his usually pale face was flushed and animated. The fir... - #3
Save:Set in a future where the sun is dying and Earth is on the brink of extinction, "The Dying Earth" by Jack Vance is a collection of interconnected short stories that explore a world filled with bizarre monsters, powerful mages, and remnants of advanced technology. The stories follow wizards seeking knowledge, humans grown in vats, and small green men known as twk men. Vance's writing style is described as lush and beautiful, evoking a sense of melancholy for a lost past while blending silliness and darkness in a unique way.
turjan sat in his workroom, legs sprawled out from the stool, back against and elbows on the bench. Across the room was a cage; into this Turjan gazed with rueful vexation. The creature in the cage re... - #4
Save:A distant future where a tyrannical force of super ships, the Guardships, police Canon space to maintain humanity's hold on the worlds within. The story follows the missions of one of the Guardships, the VII Gemina, and its crew who have been recreated and reborn over and over. The plot spirals into a universe where ancient superships battle against ancient alien rebels, all while questioning the laws that govern them. The book is a standalone novel with a fast-paced and chaotic story that keeps readers entranced in a weird and strange future.
The book delves into a conflict in a distant future where Guardships, living ships with evolving AI, enforce peace in Canon space. However, they face enemies believed to be exterminated, weird aliens, and power-hungry nobles willing to do anything to gain power. The story is filled with twists and turns, fast-paced battles, and a complex narrative that leaves readers questioning the fate of characters. Despite some chaotic elements, the book offers a great story that is recommended for fans of military science fiction.
Lady Midnight drifted through the perpetual twilight of Merod Schene DownTown, tall, brittle as leaf gold beaten translucent. Her lavender eyes darted from one nest of gloom to the next. Her slim, pal... - #5
Save:"Scanners Live in Vain" by Cordwainer Smith is a short story set in a distant future where space travel is common. It explores the concept of a society where a special group of modified humans, known as Scanners, oversee space travel by standing the pain of deep space travel in a conscious state. The story follows the protagonist, Martel, who is a Scanner and is married, showcasing his desire for normality and human experiences amidst his unique role in society. The narrative delves into themes of sacrifice, human emotions, and the question of what it means to be human, all while presenting a vision of futuristic government and society.
Mantel was angry. He did not even adjust his blood away from anger. He stamped across the room by judgment, not by sight. When he saw the table hit the floor, and could tell by the expression on Luci'... - #6
Save:Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny is a science fiction novel that intricately blends Hindu and Buddhist mythology with futuristic elements. The story follows a hero, known as Sam or the Buddha, who leads a rebellion against god-like beings who suppress human progress using a mix of technology and mysticism. The narrative is non-linear, with flashbacks revealing the backstory of the epic struggle, creating a unique and complex world where magic is indistinguishable from technology. The book delves into themes of religion, colonialism, and freedom, offering a thought-provoking exploration of human progress and societal control.
It is said that fifty-three years after his liberation he returned from the Golden Cloud, to take up once again the gauntlet of Heaven, to oppose the Order of Life and the gods who ordained it so. His... - #7
Save:'Last and First Men' by Olaf Stapledon is a speculative science fiction novel that spans over two billion years of human evolution and history. The book presents a series of future scenarios where different human species rise, evolve, and eventually face extinction due to various internal and external challenges. Stapledon's writing style is characterized by a lack of traditional plot and character development, focusing instead on providing a chronological overview of the future history of mankind and its descendants. The narrative is structured as a historical account, with a focus on exploring philosophical and existential themes through the lens of speculative evolution.
Long before the human spirit awoke to clear cognizance of the world and itself, it sometimes stirred in its sleep, opened bewildered eyes, and slept again. One of these moments of precocious experienc... - #8
Save:Set in the far distant future, 'The City and the Stars' by Arthur C. Clarke follows the story of Alvin, the first child born in ten million years in Diaspar, the last city on Earth. Alvin, unique in his desire to explore beyond the boundaries of the stagnant and enclosed city, embarks on a journey that leads to seismic changes for his home city and a confrontation with its lost past. The narrative weaves through mysteries surrounding Diaspar, the fate of humankind, and the stars, presenting a tale of human superation and exploration in a decadent and futuristic setting. The book gradually transitions from a novel of mystery and investigation to a story about transcending religions and myths, with a vision of a future Earth that is thought-provoking and rich in worldbuilding.
IT HAD TAKEN them many hours to fight their way out of the Cave of the White Worms. Even now, they could not be sure that some of the pallid monsters were not pursuing them—and the power of their weap... - #9
Save:Norstrilia by Cordwainer Smith is a science fiction novel that follows the story of Roderick Frederick Ronald Arnold William MacArthur McBan, a young man from the dry, dusty planet of Norstrilia. The planet is home to sick sheep that produce an immortality drug called stroon, making all Norstrilians immensely rich. Roderick ends up becoming the richest man in the galaxy after a series of events that involve stock market manipulation and winning Earth in a contest. The novel explores themes of immortality, telepathy, eugenics, and the struggle for power in a distant future setting.
Cordwainer Smith's writing style in Norstrilia combines elements of classic Chinese literature with a unique imagination to create a future history spanning thousands of years. The story weaves together themes of man's evolution, self-discovery, and societal transformation, all set against a backdrop of strange people, societies, and technologies. Through a blend of charm, sentimentality, and epic storytelling, Smith presents a gripping narrative that delves into the complexities of human nature and the exploration of strange yet familiar worlds.
Jestocost liked the morningsunshine, while most of the other lords of Instrumentality did not, so that he had no trouble in keeping the office and the apartments which he had selected. His main office... - #10
Save:Nightwings by Robert Silverberg is a science fiction novel set in a far distant future where Earth is on the brink of a foretold alien invasion. The story follows the journey of an aging Watcher as he scans space for signs of impending danger, accompanied by unique companions like a Flyer and a Changeling. Through three linked novellas, the narrative explores themes of conquest, societal collapse, and redemption, creating a richly detailed world with elements of beauty and darkness.
ROUM IS A CITY built on seven hills. They say it was a capital of man in one of the earlier cycles. I did not know of that, for my guild was Watching, not Remembering; but yet as I had my first glimps...
