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Hard science fiction only rarely rouses the mainstream.
Such books are intimidating.
Chinese hard science fiction would seem to face an even steeper road to readership.
Step forward, Liu Cixin.
His trilogy, Remembrance of Earths Past, has shattered this paradigm.
Together, the three books have sold over nine million copies worldwide.
Champions include Barack Obama and George R.R.
Many science-fiction stories are thought experiments taken to the extreme.
What if someone proved that the rules of math are not constant?
What if angels and demons were proved to exist?
What if the entire universe existed within a constructed tower?
But, crucially, Chiang rarely uncouples scientific quandary from humanity.
Im loath to include too many classics on this list.
Id rather tell you about books you may not be aware of.
The 13 stories showcase the breadth of the Chinese perspective, ranging from humor to cold, bitter despair.
Whats notable is how many of the stories share conceits familiar from western sci-fi.
The result is a set of stories thatfeelfamiliar yet have an off-kilter quality that keeps them fresh.
Its a wonderful introduction to a rich alternative viewpoint.
However, its the just-releasedJumpnautsthat may well consolidate her position.
Its a gorgeous book, treading similar ground toThe Three-Body Problembut with a jaunty, almost cheerful outlook.
In key ways, its a reversal of Cixins trilogy.
And she does all of that in less than 400 pages.
Dont be dissuaded, though: Newitzs world-building is more thrilling than many a laser battle.
First, Liu translated Cixins novel into English, being a major part of its cross-cultural success.
It was the first work of fiction to sweep the Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy awards.
Other stories weld the magical and the scientific.
The many,manyawards and nominations are well earned.
In a just world, he would be as celebrated and widely read as the writer he helped introduce.
What ifThe Canterbury Taleswere set in space?
of a godlike creature, the Shrike.
There are no weak links in this chain of stories.
They roam across space and time, featuring archaeologists and ancient cultures, reverse aging and time-manipulated warfare.
Chaucer would have been delighted to inspire such fun.
Science fiction is full of multiverses.
(Great idea actually, noted down!
)The Doors of Edenis a different take on the conceit.
Its all great rollocking stuff, but those evolutionary thought experiments are where the authors imagination really takes flight.
Asian writers arent the only demographic making waves in contemporary sci-fi.
Who says that you cant use hard science in a love story?
