In these trying times, some people might want a bit of escapism--even if only mentally to escape their homes for a bit. As a long-time reader of quality sf/f, I offer some reading suggestions that I guarantee don't suck. There's an emphasis here on multivolume works to dig into.
First up, Alastair Reynolds' "Revelation Space"/Inhibitor trilogy: Revelation Space, Redemption Ark, and Absolution Gap. Strong examples of the "New Space Opera" and the best books in one of the strongest future histories.
Next, switching to fantasy, is Jack Vance's "Lyonesse" trilogy, consisting of Lyonesse (aka Suldrun's Garden), The Green Pearl, and Maduoc. Arthurianesque fantasy in Jack Vance's own inimitable style (Vance is well known as a stylist of sf/f). For me, always a pleasure to read.
A very different sort of fantasy is Jeffrey Ford's "Well-Built City" trilogy: The Physiognomy, Memoranda, and The Beyond. Like no fantasy work you've ever read. Also written with great style.
Up next is Felix Gilman's The Half-Made World and its sequel, The Rise of Ransom City. Set in a fantasy world inspired by the American West, in which the western world is literally still being built from the aether and is ruled by extra-worldly evil entities: The Line & The Gun.
Another sf/f stylist is M. John Harrison, as evidenced in his intriguing New Space opera Kefahuchi Tract trilogy, consisting of Light, Nova Swing, and Empty Space. Refreshingly different from standard sf fare.
A wild sf journey is the Quantum Thief trilogy by Finnish writer Hannu Rajaniemi (who writes in English): The Quantum Thief, The Fractal Prince and The Causal Angel. The first two are stronger than the third but it's a far future solar system romance with quantum themes.
Another interesting far future solar system romance (and I don't mean romance in the kissy kissy sense) is Wil McCarthy's Queendom of Sol quadrilogy: The Collapsium, The Wellstone, Lost In Transmission, and To Crush the Moon.
A 3rd good far future solar system romance is one I struggled long/hard over mentioning, bc its author went off the rails into the far right. However, John C. Wright's Golden Oecumene trilogy (The Golden Age, The Phoenix Exultant & The Golden Transcendence) is very imaginative.
Gene Wolfe was one of the greatest writers of sf/f, though not always the most accessible. His Soldier of the Mist trilogy, set in ancient Greece and featuring a soldier with no short term memory, is itself memorable: Soldier of the Mist, Soldier of Arete, Soldier of Sidon.
Finally, I recommend Elizabeth Hand's science-fictional Winterlong Trilogy (Winterlong, Aestival Tide, and Icarus Descending). More than 25 years ago, I reviewed the third volume for the Washington Post: washingtonpost.com/archive/entert…
I noticed for some reason I only listed one female writer in the above list. To make up for that, here are some great sf/f books by female writers:
Kate Wilhelm, Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang
Leigh Brackett, The Long Tomorrow
Kate Wilhelm, Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang
Leigh Brackett, The Long Tomorrow
"James Tiptree, Jr."/"Racoona Sheldon"/Alice Sheldon, Her Smoke Rose Up Forever
C. L. Moore, The Best of C. L. Moore
Pad Cadigan, Synners
Maureen McHugh, China Mountain Zhang
Eleanor Arnason, A Woman of the Iron People
Susanna Clarke, Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell
C. L. Moore, The Best of C. L. Moore
Pad Cadigan, Synners
Maureen McHugh, China Mountain Zhang
Eleanor Arnason, A Woman of the Iron People
Susanna Clarke, Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell
Octavia Butler, Dawn
Connie Willis, Doomsday Book
Connie Willis, Doomsday Book
