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These science fiction books apply scientific knowledge to create immersive worlds
With scientists as their protagonists, these science fiction books explore thought-provoking scenarios such as first contact with higher intelligence, the ethical implications of terraforming another planet, and the philosophical implications of different political systems. The novels—many of which have been recognised with the Hugo and Nebula Awards, the highest literary accolades for science fiction and fantasy—are lauded for the accurate application of scientific knowledge. As they explore immersive worlds and possible futures, these books provide readers with a deeper understanding of scientific concepts and their potential applications beyond the page.
Also read: 5 YouTube science channels that illuminate the workings of the universe
Contact by Carl Sagan
Above Contact by Carl Sagan
Contact by Carl Sagan
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Contact parallels the life of its author Carl Sagan, the astronomer and science communicator who pioneered the study of extraterrestrial intelligence as well as advised NASA on several missions. The novel, which is considered a sci-fi classic, follows Dr Ellie Arroway, an astronomer who, after discovering a signal from beyond our solar system, attempts to find its source. As she contends with the possibility of a higher intelligence, the book explores the complex relationship between science and spiritual belief. In 1997, Contact was immortalised in film, with Jodie Foster taking on the role of Arroway.
Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson
Above Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson
Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson
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The first book in Kim Stanley Robinson’s Mars Trilogy, Red Mars follows 100 colonists, including a group of scientists, who are tasked to turn the planet into a liveable environment. As they instal satellite mirrors to capture light and add black dust to the polar caps to produce warmth, the colonists come into conflict about the ethical implications of changing the red planet. Lauded for its depiction of planetary colonisation, Red Mars was nominated for the Hugo Award and the Nebula Award, two of the most prestigious honours for science fiction and fantasy.
The Martian by Andy Weir
Above The Martian by Andy Weir
The Martian by Andy Weir
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Another acclaimed book adapted into a movie (with Matt Damon), The Martian finds astronaut Mark Watney stranded on Mars after a dust storm forces his crew to abort their mission. Using his knowledge of botany and engineering, Watney must find a way to survive until he is rescued by NASA. If you like The Martian, consider too Weir’s 2021 release, Project Hail Mary, which follows another astronaut who, this time, must save the Earth from an extinction-level event.
Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer
Above Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer
Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer
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Also a winner of the Nebula Award, Annihilation follows a female biologist in the 12th expedition to Area X, a dangerous environment reclaimed by nature. Along with an anthropologist, a surveyor and a psychologist, she discovers anomalous life forms and the true nature of Area X. The first book in the Southern Reach Trilogy delves into themes of adaptation and the unknown, blending scientific, psychological and horror elements to create a compelling narrative. In 2018, Natalie Portman and Oscar Isaac starred in the film of the same name.
The Dispossessed by Ursula K Le Guin
Above The Dispossessed by Ursula K Le Guin
The Dispossessed by Ursula K Le Guin
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Stephen King describes author Ursula K Le Guin as “a literary icon”, which is well-earned as her novel, The Dispossessed, won the Hugo, Nebula and Locus Awards. In the novel, Le Guin weighs political ideologies through the book’s protagonist Shevek. The brilliant physicist seeks to reunite his home planet Annarres, an anarchist utopia, and its sister planet Uras, a capitalist world, and in the process, learns the true meaning of freedom.
