Shiny, happy sci-fi?

[matadoramat]

hey n lo
me indian. me new to web site and sci fi.
question time?
is there sci fi that is cheerful?
recommend?

 

[chrispenycate]

Welcome in, to the strangest, most diverse collection of individuals you are likely to come across.
Most Science fiction tends towards the "neutral to optimistic" quadrant; certainly, almost all of the older books went for happy endings. however unlikely this might seem now that we're living i the future. Boy got girl, mad professor succeeded in single handedly building starship, overtrowing obnoxious BEMs, of failed to blow up world due to misplaced decimal point (not misplaced exponential; not enough of the readership that didn't need an explanation of what "exponential" meant) and big industry and government were ridicularised.

Much like Westerns with a wider choice of scenery.

Oh, sure, they had some difficult moments in the meantime (occasionally involving the extinction of ninety percent of the human race) but it wouldn't be a story without inconveniences, would it.

Just how sweetness and light do you need your SF, anyway? No deaths or all badies killed off? All the heros logging onto Chronicles and not even noticing that the universe has been anhilated while they were on?
As I said, optimistic.

 

[Lith]

You might try Hitchiker's Guid to the Galaxy. It's more of a comedy, but also has some interesting SF elements. I don't know if you're familiar with Monty Python, but it's kind of the same type of humor. In space!

 

[D_Davis]

You might try Hitchiker's Guid to the Galaxy. It's more of a comedy, but also has some interesting SF elements. I don't know if you're familiar with Monty Python, but it's kind of the same type of humor. In space!

This is a good choice.

Also, check out the first three Stainless Steel Rat books, by Harry Harrison. While they do contain some action, and light-violence, they are incredibly fluffy affairs and are highly entertaining, enjoyable and humorous.

 

[Connavar]

I think Hitchhiker is way too ironic and not too happy for the thread maker.


I cant help you at all.

Most of my SF dont tend to be shiny and happy SF. I prefer dark,social stuff that tend have not so happy and optimistic endings.

 

[D_Davis]

Hitchhiker can be pretty cynical at times, but the over all narrative is pretty light and fluffy - once you get past the whole Earth being destroyed thing.

 

[Connavar]

Hitchhiker can be pretty cynical at times, but the over all narrative is pretty light and fluffy - once you get past the whole Earth being destroyed thing.

Yeah its light humor but its very cynical too.

I doubt he will enjoy what happens later in the books.


Although it will be hard for him to find lighter SF than a parody like this one.

 

[Thadlerian]

Yeah, stay away from Mostly Harmless if you like the happy parts of Hitchhiker's Guide.

And whatever you do, countrymate, do not read the Norwegian translation!