The Greatest British "Science fiction, Fiction" Books Since 1980

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This list represents a comprehensive and trusted collection of the greatest books. Developed through a specialized algorithm, it brings together 300 'best of' book lists to form a definitive guide to the world's most acclaimed books. For those interested in how these books are chosen, additional details can be found on the rankings page.

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Science fiction

Science fiction is a genre of literature that explores the potential consequences of scientific and other innovations on society and individuals. It often features futuristic or imaginary settings, advanced technologies, and scientific concepts that are not yet fully understood or realized. Science fiction can encompass a wide range of themes, including space exploration, time travel, artificial intelligence, and alternate realities. It is a genre that allows authors to speculate on the future of humanity and the impact of scientific progress on our lives.

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  1. 1. His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman

    "His Dark Materials" is a fantasy trilogy that follows the journey of a young girl named Lyra Belacqua and her daemon, Pantalaimon, across parallel universes. Throughout their adventures, they encounter a variety of mythical creatures, confront religious and political systems, and grapple with complex themes such as free will, original sin, and the nature of consciousness. The series also delves into the mysteries of Dust, a strange particle integral to the multiverse's function.

  2. 2. Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

    The novel is a haunting tale of three friends, who grow up together at a seemingly idyllic English boarding school. As they mature, they discover a dark secret about their school and the purpose of their existence, which is to become organ donors for the rest of society. The story is a profound exploration of what it means to be human, the morality of scientific innovation, and the heartbreaking reality of love and loss.

  3. 3. Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell

    This novel is a unique blend of six different stories, each set in a different time and place, spanning from the 19th century South Pacific to a post-apocalyptic future. Each tale is written in a different style, reflecting the time and setting it represents, and they are all connected through shared themes and recurring motifs. The stories are nested within each other, with each interrupted by the next, only to be concluded in the second half of the book. The novel explores themes of predacity, civilization, reincarnation and the eternal recurrence of the same behaviors throughout history.

  4. 4. The Children of Men by P. D. James

    Set in a dystopian future where mankind has become infertile, the novel centers on a history professor who becomes involved with a group of revolutionaries seeking to overthrow the oppressive government. As the world descends into chaos due to the impending extinction of the human race, a miraculous pregnancy offers a glimmer of hope. The professor must protect the pregnant woman and navigate the dangerous political landscape, while grappling with the implications of a world without children.

  5. 5. Good Omens by Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman

    "Good Omens" is a humorous take on the biblical Apocalypse, following an angel and a demon who have grown fond of Earth and its inhabitants, and are not too keen on the impending end of the world. As they try to locate the misplaced Antichrist and prevent the Four Horsemen from bringing about Armageddon, they encounter an array of quirky characters, including witch-hunters, modern-day witches, and the Four Horsemen themselves. The novel combines comedy, fantasy, and philosophical themes, offering a satirical critique of religious prophecy and human nature.

  6. 6. Riddley Walker by Russell Hoban

    Set in a post-apocalyptic England, the novel follows the journey of a young boy named Riddley Walker, who becomes the leader of his small community after his father's death. The world is a primitive, violent place where remnants of technology and culture are barely understood. Riddley's quest for knowledge and understanding leads him to discover the terrifying truth about humanity's downfall, involving nuclear warfare and the destructive power of knowledge. The story is told in a unique, fractured English, reflecting the decayed state of civilization.

  7. 7. Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency by Douglas Adams

    This humorous science fiction novel follows the eccentric detective Dirk Gently, who operates based on the fundamental interconnectedness of all things. His cases involve time travel, ghosts, and an Electric Monk, a labor-saving device that believes things for you. Dirk's current investigation revolves around the disappearance of a cat, a multimillionaire, and a horse in a bathroom, all seemingly unrelated events, but in Dirk's holistic world, everything is connected.

  8. 8. V for Vendetta by Alan Moore

    "V for Vendetta" is a dystopian graphic novel set in a future totalitarian England. The story follows a mysterious, anarchistic vigilante known only as "V" who wears a Guy Fawkes mask and seeks to overthrow the oppressive government. The novel explores themes of freedom, oppression, and the power of ideas, as well as the moral complexities of vengeance and violence. It also delves into the personal journey of a young woman named Evey, who becomes V's unlikely ally.

  9. 9. The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman

    The final installment in a fantasy trilogy, this novel follows the young protagonists as they continue their journey through parallel universes. They find themselves in the world of the dead, where they lead a rebellion against the oppressive authorities. Meanwhile, celestial forces are gathering for a final, apocalyptic battle. The young heroes must also confront their own destiny, which is tied to a mysterious object known as the amber spyglass. The story explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the nature of consciousness.

  10. 10. Under the Skin by Michel Faber

    "Under the Skin" is a novel that follows the story of a woman named Isserley who picks up male hitchhikers in Scotland. However, Isserley is not what she seems - she's actually an alien sent from another planet to capture unsuspecting men, who are then sent back to her home planet to be used as meat. The book explores themes of humanity, morality, and the ethics of the meat industry.

  11. 11. The City & the City by China Miéville

    In a unique blend of noir detective fiction and speculative fantasy, the book explores the coexistence of two distinct cities occupying the same geographical space, yet remaining invisible to each other due to a strict set of societal rules and the mysterious force of "Breach" that enforces them. When a young woman is found murdered, a seasoned inspector must navigate the complex and often perilous overlap of these two cities to solve the crime. His investigation challenges the rigid separation of the cities, uncovering a conspiracy that blurs the lines between the two and threatens the very fabric of their existence.

  12. 12. The Prestige by Christopher Priest

    "The Prestige" is a captivating tale of rivalry and obsession set in the world of 19th-century stage magic. The story follows two magicians, Alfred Borden and Rupert Angier, as they engage in a fierce competition to create the ultimate illusion. As their rivalry escalates, both men become consumed by their craft, resorting to increasingly dangerous and unethical methods to outdo each other. Filled with twists and turns, the novel explores themes of sacrifice, identity, and the price of obsession, leaving readers questioning the nature of reality until the very last page.

  13. 13. Vurt by Jeff Noon

    "Vurt" by Jeff Noon is a surreal and dystopian novel set in a future Manchester, where a hallucinogenic drug called "vurt" allows users to enter a virtual reality through their minds. The story follows Scribble, a young man who becomes obsessed with finding a rare and powerful vurt feather to save his sister, who is trapped in a vurt world. As Scribble navigates through a dangerous and bizarre landscape, he encounters strange creatures, alternate dimensions, and a mysterious group known as the Stash Riders. Blending elements of science fiction, cyberpunk, and urban fantasy, "Vurt" explores themes of addiction, identity, and the blurred lines between reality and fantasy.

  14. 14. Light by M. John Harrison

    "Light" is a science fiction novel that intertwines three narrative threads, two set in 2400 AD and one in 1999. The story follows a scientist who discovers the principles of faster-than-light travel, a space pilot genetically modified to interact with a strange alien artifact, and a serial killer who sees a strange pattern in everything. As the narratives unfold, they eventually converge in a distant part of the galaxy, revealing a universe filled with strange life forms and advanced technologies.

  15. 15. A Storm Of Wings by M. John Harrison

    In this science fiction novel, the second installment of a series, humanity grapples with the aftermath of a catastrophic event known as the Biotic Crisis. As reality itself begins to warp, the protagonist and a group of disparate characters navigate a world where the boundaries between human and alien, real and surreal, are increasingly blurred. They face the challenge of understanding and confronting the "Swarm," a mysterious and possibly sentient cloud of particles that threatens to engulf the planet. The narrative weaves a complex tapestry of themes including identity, transformation, and the struggle to maintain sanity in an environment that defies comprehension.

  16. 16. Perdido Street Station by China Mieville

    In a sprawling steampunk metropolis teeming with bizarre creatures and arcane technologies, a gifted scientist unwittingly unleashes a nightmare upon the city. When his experiment with a rare caterpillar goes awry, monstrous, dream-eating moths are set loose, preying upon the citizens' minds and plunging the city into terror. As the scientist grapples with the consequences of his actions, a motley group of individuals, including a renegade artist, a wingless bird-man, and other outcasts, come together in a desperate attempt to save their city from the eldritch horrors that now haunt its shadowy streets. Their journey takes them through the city's various layers, from the opulent heights to the grimy depths, revealing the complex tapestry of cultures and conflicts that define this urban labyrinth.

  17. 17. Rats And Gargoyles by Mary Gentle

    In a world where humans coexist with magical beings and the gods themselves walk the earth, "Rats and Gargoyles" unfolds an intricate tale of power, intrigue, and revolution. At the heart of this richly detailed universe is a city dominated by the Thirty-Six Decans, godlike beings who rule over humans and the enigmatic White Crow, a woman of many secrets with the knowledge to manipulate the very fabric of reality. Amidst a backdrop of looming architectural marvels and a society where alchemy and technology intertwine, the story weaves together the lives of diverse characters caught in a web of destiny and dark magic. As plots unravel, the balance of power shifts, leading to a struggle that challenges the foundations of the world itself.

  18. 18. The Power by Naomi Alderman

    "The Power" by Naomi Alderman is a speculative fiction novel that imagines a world where women develop the ability to produce electrical shocks from their bodies, giving them a newfound physical power over men. The novel follows the lives of four characters as they navigate this new reality and the societal and political upheaval that comes with it. Through their experiences, the book explores themes of gender, power, and the corrupting nature of authority.

  19. 19. The End Of The World News by Anthony Burgess

    This novel is an ambitious and unconventional triptych that interweaves three distinct narratives: the psychoanalytic adventures of Sigmund Freud, the escapades of Leon Trotsky aboard a ship to New York, and a science fiction tale about the impending collision of Earth with a rogue planet. Through a daring blend of historical fiction, political drama, and speculative storytelling, the book explores themes of human desire, societal upheaval, and the existential threats facing civilization. Its innovative structure and the juxtaposition of seemingly disparate stories challenge readers to consider the interconnectedness of personal, political, and cosmic destinies.

  20. 20. The Day Of Creation by J. G. Ballard

    In this novel, a restless scientist, driven by the desire to bring change to a parched, war-torn African country, inadvertently discovers a vast river where there was none before. His initial hopes for this miraculous waterway to become a force for good quickly sour as various factions vie for control, and the river itself becomes a source of chaos and destruction. As the protagonist becomes increasingly obsessed with the river, his journey turns into a surreal and perilous adventure, reflecting on the destructive impact of human ambition and the unpredictable power of nature.

  21. 21. Only Forward by Michael Marshall Smith

    This novel is a captivating blend of science fiction and noir detective genres, set in a future where society is divided into specialized neighborhoods reflecting the inhabitants' personalities and desires. The protagonist, a witty and resourceful problem-solver with a mysterious past, is tasked with finding a missing person, a seemingly straightforward job that spirals into a surreal and dangerous adventure. As he navigates through bizarre and vividly imagined environments, confronting his own fears and memories, the story delves into themes of identity, memory, and the nature of reality itself, all while maintaining a sharp, humorous edge.

  22. 22. Bold As Love by Gwyneth Jones

    "Bold As Love" by Gwyneth Jones is a science fiction novel set in a near-future Britain that has been ravaged by climate change and political unrest. The story follows a rock band called Bold As Love, led by charismatic and enigmatic Ax Preston, as they navigate through a post-apocalyptic world. With themes of love, revolution, and the power of music, the book explores the band's journey to bring hope and change to a society on the brink of collapse.

  23. 23. The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell

    This novel weaves together the lives of diverse characters through a narrative that spans decades, centering on a teenage runaway with psychic abilities. As she becomes embroiled in a covert war between immortal factions, the story explores themes of mortality, power, and the interconnectedness of human lives. The intricate plot moves through different times and places, revealing a hidden world of mysticism and a looming apocalyptic crisis, all while examining the impact of our actions on the future of the planet.

  24. 24. Klara And The Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro

    The novel centers around Klara, an Artificial Friend with keen observational qualities, who, from her place in the store, watches the behavior of those who come in to browse, and those who pass on the street outside. She remains hopeful that a customer will soon choose her, but when the possibility emerges that her circumstances may change forever, Klara is warned not to invest too much in the promises of humans. Set in a dystopian future, the story explores complex themes such as the nature of love, the ethics of artificial intelligence, and what it truly means to be human, all through the eyes of an AI protagonist yearning to understand the people she is meant to serve.

  25. 25. Children Of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky

    "Children of Time" by Adrian Tchaikovsky is a science fiction novel that explores the evolution of two species, humans and spiders, on different planets. When Earth faces destruction, a group of humans embarks on a mission to terraform a new planet and create a new civilization. However, an experiment involving a virus meant to accelerate the evolution of monkeys goes wrong, leading to the unintended uplift of spiders. The story follows the parallel development of both species, highlighting their struggles, conflicts, and eventual convergence as they vie for dominance in a rapidly changing world.

Reading Statistics

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If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.

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