The Greatest Science-Fiction novel of all time?

D

Dave Vicks

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Le Guin thought WE by Zamyatin was.
The greatest selling would be DUNE followed by STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND by Heinlein.

What SF Novel is the greatest?
 
I started reading that,it was good. However, they did not know about Nuclear Winter.

In school for SF books assigned we read;Alas Babylon, Lord of The Flies,and Flowers for Algernon.
Circa 1982
All depressing.
 
Dave Vicks said:
I started reading that,it was good. However, they did not know about Nuclear Winter.

In school for SF books assigned we read;Alas Babylon, Lord of The Flies,and Flowers for Algernon.
Circa 1982
All depressing.
Click to expand...

Babylon 5 did a homage to it. :)
 
There are so many choices.

I can only pick the one which had the strongest impact on me. This doesn't mean it's the "best" by any means, but that it will always hold a special place in my heart and mind.

That would be Stand On Zanzibar by John Brunner. It gave me the same feeling I had when I first saw 2001: A Space Odyssey -- that I was experiencing the future! It can't be merely a coincidence that this came out at about the same time, when I was at the best age to be influenced by them.
 
For up to date realism and relevance:

Daemon & Freedom by Daniel Suarez

Not necessarily a fun read.
Kind of funny how it is so similar to Ready Player One.
 
I think Vernor Vinge: A Fire Upon the Deep could be something that pushes for that spot. Just so many Big Ideas crammed into a single book, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Would also consider Dan Simmons: Hyperion -very well written and structured.
 
you know that's one hell of a question... i mean greatest in what sense? i mean a novel might have just one idea in the book and be terrific and another be full of ideas and be morose or just bad. i don't think there's a clear answer... and since i've never read all syfy novels... i guess we can make a list with no particular order in it:
heinlein:
starship troopers
stranger in a strange land

clarke:
2001

herbert:
Dune

mary shelley:
frankenstein

orwell:
war of the worlds

weber:
honor harrington

stanislaw lem
solaris

and this is just from the top of my head
 
Got to go with Dune.

Honourable mentions: Ringworld & The Moon is a Harsh Mistress.
 
That's a good one.
Don't give them ideas! They will do a holiday special novelization.

I think the top two of all time have to be:

Frankenstein
War of the Worlds

Maybe the Time Machine for third.

The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde might deserve a top 5 position.
 
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