I like fiction. More specifically stories that explore concepts or mysteries deeply that do not exist in our world. Unfortunately, most fiction books don't go deep into exploring these things. Rather, it's a simple idea fluffed up with interpersonal conflicts and long descriptions of barely relevant things to bring it to book length. I do want there to be characters with emotions and inner lives, but I want them to focus on dealing with the main concept or mystery most of the time, rather than 90% of the book just being a distraction from that.
Since it has been many years since I even tried reading a book I don't remember the names to give examples of what I don't like, but there are many TV shows that have the exact same problem, for example: From, Under the Dome and The Society. They all introduce interesting mysteries, but then the characters spend the whole time squabbling with each other about benign things instead of trying to figure anything out.
What I really liked is everything QNTM wrote with Ra and Antimemetic Division being my favorites. Interesting concepts that keep escalating further and further. Characters that have a background and feelings, but are as invested as me in figuring out what's going on. I know there are plenty of topics already on books similar to QNTM, but they do not like QNTM for the same reasons as me. I just use it as one example of something that embodies most of what I care about in a book.
Are there any books by other authors you can recommend that I might enjoy?
by norbertog2
2 Comments
My favorite sci fi horror/mystery books that focus a bit more on the mystery than characters
Blindsight by Peter watts – a trippy sci fi setting where super intelligent individuals with very…unique roles in society have to go figure out a threat to humanity that is practically incomprehensible. It’s very dense with far fetched twists on science that are pretty fascinating. Be warned it’s not meant to be 100% understood at the end.
Deep storm by Lincoln child – a doctor is called to help with a problem on an ocean research platform. And it’s a much bigger ordeal than expected. Not as dense of a concept to follow and a fun book.
Blood music by Greg bear – a genetics researcher makes something which has unprecedented impact on the future of intelligent life. Seems like a very hit or miss book for people but it stuck with me for a while. (May not be the best choice for you cause there’s a couple characters it follows who don’t actively try to figure the mystery out) but I’ll leave it here anyway cause I personally still liked it a lot. Very creepy concept.
Also if you haven’t checked out project Hail Mary yet, that’s a much more widely acclaimed story that’s probably up your alley too.
I’d recommend the short fiction of Greg Egan and Ted Chiang.