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Books matching: metafictional science fiction

13 result(s)

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  1. #1

    A Maggot by John Fowles
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    In 'A Maggot' by John Fowles, the story unfolds in the early English seventeen hundreds, following a group of travelers on a perilous journey from London to Bristol on horseback. The narrative is structured in a unique way, with the second part of the book presented in a series of depositions by the travelers and eyewitnesses, revealing a tale of deception, mystery, and deeper revelations. As the legal factor of a high English nobleman investigates the disappearance of his son, the readers are taken on a journey filled with twists and turns, blending elements of historical fiction, science fiction, and fantasy.

    The writing style of 'A Maggot' showcases John Fowles' ability to keep readers engaged and guessing until the very end. The novel is praised for its intricate plot that challenges the reader to search for deeper explanations to life's mysteries, while also offering insights into the characters and relationships of the 18th century. Fowles skillfully weaves together themes of deception, revelation, and the supernatural, creating a narrative that transcends time and genre boundaries, making it a thought-provoking and immersive read.

    IN THE LATE AND LAST AFTERNOON of an April long ago, a forlorn little group of travellers cross a remote upland in the far south-west of England. All are on horseback, proceeding at a walk along the m...

  2. Bats of the Republic is a novel that weaves together two stories separated by 300 years, connected by a mysterious letter enclosed in an envelope at the very end. The book uses prose interspersed with letters, newspaper clippings, maps, and illustrations to create an immersive experience for the reader, offering a unique format that can feel unwieldy at times but is praised for its innovation and beauty.

    The novel takes readers on a journey through time and place, exploring themes of interconnectedness, circular storytelling, and the impact of design on the reading experience. It combines elements of historical fiction, science fiction, and dystopia to deliver a creative and wacky narrative that is both engaging and visually stunning.

    10/6/43 Mr. Joseph Sloper Gray, I write to ask your formal permission for your daughter Elswyth’s graceful hand in marriage. I believe she would be amenable to the idea. The fruition of this bright ar...

  3. #3

    The Shootout Solution - Genrenauts by Michael R. Underwood
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    "The Shootout Solution" by Michael R. Underwood is a fast-paced novella that introduces readers to the world of the Genrenauts, where parallel universes based on different literary genres can impact our reality. The protagonist, Leah, is recruited by Dr. Angstrom King to join a team of Genrenauts who travel to these genre worlds to fix broken stories. In this first episode set in Western World, Leah navigates through tropes, characters, and shootouts while trying to maintain the stability of the narrative.

    Underwood's writing style cleverly combines metafictional elements with humor, action, and literary references. The book offers a unique concept where genre knowledge is essential for navigating different worlds and fixing narrative inconsistencies. Readers are taken on a fun and entertaining ride through a world where stories come alive and must be managed to prevent chaos in our reality.


  4. #4

    Timequake by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
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    Timequake by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. is a unique blend of fiction and autobiography, where Vonnegut himself becomes a central character in the narrative. The book revolves around the concept of a timequake, where the universe resets every ten years, causing people to relive a specific period. Through a mix of short stories, philosophical reflections, and interactions with his alter ego Kilgore Trout, Vonnegut explores themes of free will, aging, and the human experience. The writing style is characterized by short, pragmatic paragraphs that touch upon deep undertones while maintaining a humorous and poignant tone.

    Ernest Hemingway in 1952 published in Life magazine a long short story called The Old Man and the Sea. It was about a Cuban fisherman who hadn't caught anything for eighty-four days. The Cuban hooked ...

  5. #5

    Strange Wine by Harlan Ellison
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    'Strange Wine' by Harlan Ellison is a collection of fifteen short stories that delve into the realms of science fiction and fantasy. The book showcases Ellison's unique writing style and storytelling abilities, with tales ranging from didactic to entertaining to outstanding. Each story is accompanied by fascinating insights from Ellison himself, providing readers with a deeper understanding of his writing process and the 20th-century publishing industry. From thought-provoking narratives like 'The New York Review of Bird' to hard SF tributes like 'Seeing,' the stories in 'Strange Wine' offer readers a diverse and captivating literary experience.

    At 9:38 A.M. on July 15th, 1974, about eight minutes into Suncoast Digest, a variety show on WXLT-TV in Sarasota, Florida, anchorwoman Chris Chubbuck, 30, looked straight at the camera and said, “In k...

  6. #6

    Radiance by Catherynne M. Valente
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    Radiance by Catherynne M. Valente is a decopunk pulp science fiction alt history space opera mystery that takes place in a world where space travel is common and the solar system is fully populated by humans. The story follows the mysterious disappearance of Severin Unck, a docu filmmaker who sets off to Venus to make a documentary about a missing diving colony. The narrative is told through varying points of view, jumps in chronology and location, and different formats like Hollywood gossip columns, movie scripts, interviews, and travelogues, creating a unique and complex storytelling experience.

    The plot of Radiance revolves around the central mystery of Severin's disappearance and the efforts of her father, legendary director Percival, to cope with her loss by crafting a film that aims to construct an 'ending' for his truth-obsessed daughter. The book delves into themes of art as a reflector or generator of life, alternate history, 1920s space exploration, and a space noir mystery, all written with Valente's typical flair for language, creating a world that is both familiar and alien, enthralling readers with its rich world-building and intricate narrative structure.

    [Open on the pristine streets of sunny Moscow, lined with popsicle-carts, jugglers, dazzled tourists. The streetlamps are garlanded with lime-blossoms, sunflowers, carnations. The joyful throng crowds...

  7. #7

    The Number of the Beast - The World As Myth by Robert A. Heinlein
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    'The Number of the Beast' by Robert A. Heinlein is a science fiction novel that follows a group of geniuses who meet at a party and invent a machine that allows them to travel through multiple universes. The plot involves dimension-hopping adventures to various worlds, including familiar settings like Oz and encounters with well-known Heinlein characters like Jubal Harshaw and Lazarus Long. The book is described as having a strong beginning that hooks the reader with interesting concepts and world exploration but loses direction and coherence towards the end, leaving many questions unanswered.

    She waltzed well. Today most girls who even attempt ballroom dancing drape themselves around your neck and expect you to shove them around the floor. She kept her weight on her own feet, danced close ...

    (Also, see 100 recommendations for the series The World As Myth )

  8. #8

    The Lost Time Accidents by John Wray
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    The Lost Time Accidents by John Wray is a unique and complex novel that follows the story of the Tolliver family across generations as they search for the secret of time travel. Told from the perspective of Waldy Tolliver, the narrative weaves through central Europe and the United States, exploring themes of family obsession with time, historical memory, and the pursuit of Ottokar's theory of time. The book blends elements of science fiction, historical fiction, and philosophical speculation, creating a mind-bending structure that challenges conventional storytelling.

    The novel delves into the lives of the eccentric Tolliver family members, from Ottokar's groundbreaking theory to Waldemar's time experiments in a concentration camp, Kaspar's move to the U.S., and Orson's role as a science fiction writer and religion founder. The intricate plot, spanning over a century of events, offers a rich exploration of the ethics of science, the nature of time, and the intergenerational transmission of beliefs and passions. Through a mix of wit, creativity, and ingenuity, John Wray crafts a multi-dimensional narrative that keeps readers engaged in a journey through time and family history.

    ON JUNE 12, 1903, two hours and forty-five minutes before being killed by a virtually stationary motorcar, my great-grandfather made a discovery that promised to shake the world to its foundations. Ot...

  9. #9

    How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe by Charles Yu
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    'How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe' by Charles Yu is a unique blend of science fiction and literary fiction, exploring themes of time travel, father-son relationships, and self-discovery. The protagonist, a time machine repair technician named after the author, navigates a complex narrative that delves into the intricacies of time loops and the search for his inventor father. The book is noted for its metafictional elements, combining humor, melancholy, and mind-bending storytelling within a science fictional universe that challenges traditional genre boundaries.

    There is just enough space inside here for one person to live indefinitely, or at least that’s what the operation manual says. User can survive inside the TM-31 Recreational Time Travel Device, in iso...

  10. #10

    The Sword of the Lictor - The Book of the New Sun by Gene Wolfe
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    The Sword of the Lictor by Gene Wolfe is the third installment in The Book of the New Sun series, following the protagonist Severian on his journey from apprentice to Autarch. The book is described as a mix of episodic adventures, introspection, and metaphysical speculation as Severian wanders aimlessly through a strange and wondrous world. The narrative is rich in symbolism and offers a critical view of society, exploring themes of life, humanity, and the forces at play in the portrayed world.

    ON A MOUNTAINTOP beyond the shores of Urth there once lived a lovely woman named Early Summer. She was the queen of that land, but her king was a strong, unforgiving man, and because she was jealous o...

    (Also, see 100 recommendations for the series The Book of the New Sun )

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