With the Rapid Advancement of Science and Technology, we are gradually inching close to the realities depicted in science fiction media. Exploring a wide array of themes and ideas like cyBorgs, AI, and extraterrestrial beings, the popularity of science fiction media has a surge. However, Sci-Fi Media don’t do not only depict new realities, but ultimately also make us questions what realities would mean for us. An exploration of the world, but also an exploration of humanity, here are a few sci-fi novels with screen adaptations that URGE US to interrogate oursls as well as the world around us:
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep
The inspiration Behind Blade Runner, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep is set in a post-apocalyptic future. (Source: amazon.in)
The inspiration behind Blade runner, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep Is set in a post-apocalyptic future where most humans have migrated to other planets. The novel follows rick deckard, a bounty hunter tasked with eliminating rogue Androids on Earth that is nearly indistinguishable from humans. Each Interaction With An Android Progressively Blrurs The Boundaries Between them and humans. The novel is set in a world where Androids are empathetic and humans emotionally detached, ultimately leding to the question what it means to be human.
The three-body problem
The three-body problem is one of the most distinguished sci-fi novels from the 21st century. (Source: amazon.in)
Written by Liu Cixin, The First Book in The Remember of Earth’s Past Trilogy, The three-body problem (Head of Zeus, Pages 448, Rs 374), is one of the most distinguished sci-fi novels from the 21st century. The premise of the novel involves humans coming into contact with an alien civilisation for the first time. However, Instead of just focusing on the hard science, the novel delves into the philosophical and socio-pubitical consequency of this discovery, including ethical dilemas and political uprising. The novel got adapted into a series by netflix in 2024, with its second season in the works in the works.
Solaris
Stainslaw Rem’s Solaris, Considered A Sci-Fi Classic, Inspired Two Movies With Corresponding Titles. (Source: amazon.in)
Stainslaw rem’s Solaris (Faber & Faber, Pages 224, Rs 1035), Considered A Sci-Fi Classic, Inspired Two Movies With Corresponding Titles Including The Film Directed By the Auteur, Andrei Tarkovsky. The novel follows a crew of scientists on a space station attempting to understand the extrarestrial intelligence that takes the form of a vast ocean in the planet soloris. During their investigation, they are haunted by their past memories, forcing them to first confront themslves and their experiments. The novel contemplates we can understand what lies outside without understanding what lies with us first.
Stories of your life and others
Ted Chiang Integrates Hard Science and Philosophy to Construct Narrator with Emotional Depth. (Source: amazon.in)
This collection of short stories includes Story of your lifeThe inspiration Behind the film Arrival. Stories of your life and others (Vintage Books, Pages 304, Rs 1584) By Ted Chiang Integrates Hard Science and Philosophy to Construct Narrator with Emotional DEPTH. The stories explore the human condition through experiments involving language, time, belief, etc. Chiang explores these various themes with relation to humanity and human relationship.
Klara and the sun
Klara and the sun is authorized by the Nobel Prize Winner Kazuo Ishiguro. (Source: amazon.in)
Klara and the sun (Faber & Faber, Pages 352, Rs 599) is authorized by the Nobel Prize Winner Kazuo Ishiguro. The novel is narrated by klara, an artificial friend who waits in a store to be chosen by a human. Klara equally gets picked to be a companion to a teenage girl with health issues and is adamant on understanding and helping her. Klara and the sun Contemplates on Uncertenties Like Who Can Love, And It Matter Who Loves. A movie adaptation of Klara and the sun Is currantly underway, reportedly directed by taika waititi.