Best Speculative Fiction

"Speculative Fiction" is Harlan Ellison's name for Science Fiction/Fantasy books. I have been a fan of this genre since I was in 6th grade and first picked up the Prydain series by Lloyd Alexander (my favorte by him is The Iron Ring, btw)

Below is a very personal list, and there are many I should have put on, but in all probability, I haven't read them. These are books I consider not only good writing, but also packed full of ideas and books that I would want to re-read.

Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
Yes, okay, so this is on EVERYONE'S list now. But from my perspective it became popular-- over a long period of time-- because it was good. It didn't become "good" because it was popular.

Bone by Jeff Smith
This is a graphic novel. A HUGE graphic novel. And it takes in a lot of the complexities of a novel. But it is hilarious and imaginative and sets up some interesting quandries. Once you start, it is almost impossible to stop. This is probably my children's favorite book. (I've certainly read it enough to them)

Dune Quartet (Dune, Dune Messiah, Children of Dune, God Emperor of Dune) by Frank Herbert
If you are a fan of this series, you know that there are other books in the series, but I did not find them as compelling as these four. Frank Herbert sets up a totally believable political and religious society, making many points about how the enviornment effects headlines. "God, Emperor of Dune" is the pleasant surprise for me. It is less plot oriented, and focuses instead on the sacrifices it takes to create a utopia. Just brilliant.

The Robot Books (The Complete Robot, The Caves of Steel, The Naked Sun, the Robots of Dawn, Robots and Empire, Foundation and Earth) by Isaac Asimov
I love these books and have read them more times than I can count. The short stories of "I, Robot" and the other books (containted in "The Complete Robot", which I purchased in India) are each one a gem. R. Daneel is one of the best characters ever-- let alone the best robot. Asimov sets these up as mysteries in a science fiction setting and the mystery is compelling and the detectives are completely logical. But my favorite twist is how he ties together his Foundation Series with his robot series. Just wonderful all the way through.

Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card
This is my favorite book of all time. It grows out of Card's missionary work in Brazil, and yet ties in beautifully as a continuation to his huge bestseller, "Ender's Game". It discusses cultural differences, family conflict, compassion v. objectivity, and all so much more, placed in a compelling plot. I can't imagine a better combination of ethics, excellent writing and wonderful character development. Just perfect.

The Space Trilogy (Out of the Silent Planet, Paralanda, That Hideous Strength) by C.S. Lewis
C.S. Lewis was a smart man, and a brilliant writer. But it is in these novels that his full intellectual imagination came out fully. It is in this set (and also The Great Divorce) that we see C.S. Lewis the theologian, not in the many popular orthodox pieces he produced. Every reader of C.S. Lewis should examine these volumes. My praise is especially for the first two, for while the third book has a wonderful climax, getting there is rough going.

The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury
This is a collection of short stories around a theme. It has to do with lost innocence and the destruction of purity than about Mars itself. The stories don't actually hold together very well-- there are contradictions. But who cares. The writing and the themes hold all together into a seemeless whole.

The Squire Books (The Squire’s Tale, The Squire, His Knight and His Lady, etc) by Gerald Morris
These are Arthurian re-writes that are published for the middle school set. But they weren't written for them. They are filled with wry humor and theological jokes and romantic farces. My kids love the books, but my wife and I count them as favorites as well. Okay, deep breath: I count these volumes as the best versions of Arthur that I have ever read. Yes, better than Mallory, and better even than T.H. White. Thank you, thank you, thank you Pastor Morris for writing these books!

His Dark Materials (The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, The Amber Spyglass) by Phillip Pullman
The publishers strike again! It is published for children, but I think some of the themes are too much for children to bear-- the continuing betrayal of parents, the sexuality, the theological confusion. And a number of my Christian friends decry the book. But any careful reader would note that Pullman is not speaking of the God of the Bible at all-- rather the "God" as presented by Milton and Blake, a very harsh Calvinistic sort, he is! But this is not speaking of the books themselves. Honestly, they are written unbelievably well, they offer positive critiques of the church. And while I think his view of sexuality is a bit overy optimistic, the adventure and the thinking is well worth the shallow conclusion.

The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
Okay, yes, they're great. Allegory, character, humor, awe-- its all there. Avoid the movies. Spend time with the books.

The Gods Themselves by Isaac Asimov
Many twists and turns, it opened my mind to a new way of thinking about physics and communication with those completely alien from us.

Startide Rising by David Brin
My wife often speaks of the rush she felt when opening this book and being dropped into a world where nothing made sense, but you had to figure things out. Kinda like being dropped in a foriegn country where you did not understand anything that was going on. If you don't like that idea, then read "Sundiver" first-- then it makes more sense. But whether you do or do not, this book is worth the time and effort. And, although it didn't make my list, "Earth" by the same author gets an honorable mention.

The Newford Books (The Dreaming Place, Memory and Dream, The Onion Girl and many other books) by Charles DeLint
To get started, just pick up one of the short story collections, like Memory and Dream. Or, if you want something light, you can read The Blue Girl. But once you start you will not want to stop. Newford is a compelling mix between the urban and the faery, the gritty and the fantastic. And De Lint is one of the best character writers ever, especially of women. After you are done with one of his novels you really feel you know this person and are sorry for the relationship to end.

The Stand by Stephen King
Mr. King is well known as a horror author, but the Stand is more of a Christian allegory/fantasy. He says that he wanted to write a "Lord of the Rings" in the U.S., and while it's not that, it is close. I'm rereading this book for the fourth time now. It takes its time developing, but you just want to see what will happen next. Every character is precious and is given time to speak. Exciting and wonderful.

Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz
Odd Thomas is probably the most friendly, nicest guys you'd ever want to spend time with. And he just happens to see dead people. He can't touch them, nor even hear them speak, but he can see them. The plots of the (currently) four books are intense, thrilling even, but the reason to read the books is for the main character. He's a good friend of mind now. And I can't wait to meet with him again.

Honorable Mentions:
Lilith by George McDonald
Always Coming Home by Ursula K. LeGuin
Kindred by Octavia Butler
Earth by David Brin
The Face by Dean Koontz