# Down-to-earth science fiction **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 8, 2003, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/down-to-earth-science-fiction/206336 "2003-10-08T19:04:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Darth\_Nader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Darth\_Nader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Nader)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2003, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/down-to-earth-science-fiction/206336/21 "2003-10-09T07:52:49Z")
Some of the best of Heinlein’s “Future History” stories take place in the 20th. century. As do many other of his short stories. Everything that takes place in Spider Robinson’s “Callahan’s” series does, but it’s best to start with the earlier collections. Some of those tales were so “present day” that Analog subscribers wrote in to complain about the lack of science fiction… Clifford Simak’s “Way Station”, is a nice rural tale when it starts. As is “Special Deliverance”, in it’s own way. There are a few related books by Tim Powers that cover 1940-2000, but those may be more fantasy than you are looking for. Another vote for the Cyberpunk genre. Gibson’s latest book takes place RIGHT NOW, it seems. And Neal Stephenson’s alter-ego Stephen Bury has written a few thrillers that take place in modern day… Yeah, check out [“Interface”](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0553572407/ref=pd_sim_art_elt/103-5549446-5184613?v=glance), I think you’ll like it, if this bit: > [@](#): > > “Fred turned on CNN just in time to see the aliens dragging the president out of the White House, clutching his Tickle Me Elmo doll and sobbing uncontrollably.” …is what you’re looking for. Fun stuff. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2003, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/down-to-earth-science-fiction/206336/22 "2003-10-09T11:42:34Z")
Good Lord, there’s plenty of “just=down-the-road” sf. One problem is that people don’t necessarily think of it as SF, for just that reason. John Campbell, legendary editor of Astounding/Analog, for instance, once claimed that **Fail Safe** was science fiction. You can make a good case for it. In the past, we’ve had: **The Land Ironclads** (H.G. Wells predicts tanks!) **Nerves** (Lester Del Ray’s novel about a crisis at a nuclear power plant, written well before one was ever built) Virtually all of Jules Verne’s stuff (except for those labeled as future history) Raymong F. Jones’ **This Island Earth**. In fact, all of Jones’ fiction that I’ve read. Not only the Callahan’s storiesm but other bar tales as well, including **Tales from Gavagan’s Bar** (de Camp?) and **Tales from the White Hart** (Arthur C. Clarke) An awful lot of the short fantasy/sf fiction from the 1950s – Fredric Brown, Robert Sheckley, William Tenn, Theodore Coggswell, Richard Matheson, Charles Beaumont, etc. is set in the then-present day. ---
**Author:** ![NicePete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ee7513/32.png) [@NicePete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NicePete)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2003, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/down-to-earth-science-fiction/206336/23 "2003-10-09T14:08:47Z")
I think most of John Varley’s work would qualify. _Millenium_ is much better than the movie. _Steel Beach_ is a terrific book. It’s set on the moon, but the culture it portrays is technically a big step ahead of us, but socially very similar. _Titan, Wizard and Demon_ are just fun. ---
**Author:** ![li\_l\_Dickie\_Dirtz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/2bfe46/32.png) [@li\_l\_Dickie\_Dirtz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/li_l_Dickie_Dirtz)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2003, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/down-to-earth-science-fiction/206336/24 "2003-10-09T14:40:22Z")
Anybody read _Vurt_ or _Pollen_ by Jeff Noon? Do you suppose those count? ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2003, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/down-to-earth-science-fiction/206336/25 "2003-10-09T19:37:31Z")
> [@](#): > > Everything that takes place in Spider Robinson’s “Callahan’s” series does, but it’s best to start with the earlier collections. Some of those tales were so “present day” that Analog subscribers wrote in to complain about the lack of science fiction… Seconded. Also don’t forget **Callahan’s Lady,** which featured Callahan’s wife and the most enlightened brothel in sci-fi… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2003, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/down-to-earth-science-fiction/206336/26 "2003-10-09T21:52:32Z")
Neal Stephenson’s **Snow Crash** ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2003, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/down-to-earth-science-fiction/206336/27 "2003-10-09T22:53:32Z")
_Forests Of The Night_ by S. Andrew Swann has a lot to say about the future of genetic engineering, the place of artificially-created sentients in the America of the future, and the problems of prejudice in America today. ---
**Author:** ![Beltane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/aca169/32.png) [@Beltane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beltane)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2003, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/down-to-earth-science-fiction/206336/28 "2003-10-10T00:48:32Z")
I agee wholeheatedly with the suggestions about Pounelle and Niven and Robinson- Very good stuff- I must warn you however, that Spider Robinson LOVES puns- but this comes out in his charactes loving puns, not in pun filled situations. ( I like puns as well, but then some people don’t share my taste) I would also recommend \* Island in the Sea of Time[i/] it is about the island of Nantucket getting sent back in time to the bronze age. I love that series!!! ---
**Author:** ![cmonidareya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecd19e/32.png) [@cmonidareya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmonidareya)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2003, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/down-to-earth-science-fiction/206336/29 "2003-10-10T01:17:12Z")
The Forge of God by Greg Bear. It’s about first contact told in a realistic, based-on-today type of way and what might happen to life as we know it. Or there’s Contact by Carl Sagan (the book, not the movie). Another book about first contact. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2003, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/down-to-earth-science-fiction/206336/30 "2003-10-10T01:33:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by li’l Dickie Dirtz \* > \*\*Anybody read _Vurt_ or _Pollen_ by Jeff Noon? Do you suppose those count? \*\* I read _Vurt_, I can’t exactly recall, but isn’t it about deep throating hallucinogenic feathers or something? I would recommend some PK Dick. Many of his books are set in the 70’s and later, but usually not in the distant future. For instance, I’m just about finished reading _The Zap Gun_ which was written in 1965, but set in our current time. It is a very interesting look at the cold war and celebrity, among other things. _A Scanner Darkly_ and _Valis_ may also be worth your effort. ---
**Author:** ![Roadfood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9fc348/32.png) [@Roadfood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roadfood)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2003, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/down-to-earth-science-fiction/206336/31 "2003-10-10T02:22:21Z")
“When Gravity Fails”, by George Alec Effinger. Near-future detective story. Excellent, excellent read. The next two books in the series are not as good, in my opinion, but still worth reading. ---
**Author:** ![FilmGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@FilmGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FilmGeek)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2003, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/down-to-earth-science-fiction/206336/32 "2003-10-10T03:48:51Z")
Chrichton’s _Timeline_ – Time travelling archeology students. Not “exactly” sci-fi, but TONS of fun and the movie comes out in November. Varley’s _Millenium_ – Movie: not so spectacular (though I do own it on DVD), but a fun, quick read. A BIG second to Bear’s _Blood Music_, one of my all-time favorite sci-fi books. I don’t know if I’d recommend Varley’s _Titan_ as a starter read, but I love Varley’s books… There is also a collection of short stories that includes the story _Persistence of Vision_ by John Varley. That may also be the title of the collection, I borrowed it a few years ago from a professor and have loved Varley ever since. Great thread, btw. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2003, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/down-to-earth-science-fiction/206336/33 "2003-10-10T04:35:05Z")
_White Plague_ - Frank Herbert - A disturbed man creates a genetic disease that targets women. The world is on the verge of collapse as scientist from around the world try to combat the plague. _The Light of Other Days_ - Arthur C. Clarke and Stephen Baxter- A new technology enables people to see anyone anywhere and ANYTIME. Not only is privacy a thing of the past, the past is open to the critical eye. The truth about governments, the world’s religions, even sensational trials is all changed because now evrything is out in the open. These aren’t spoilers. It’s pretty much what’s on the dust jackets. The real fun is in how the details of the stories unfold. ---
**Author:** ![Badtz\_Maru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e36b37/32.png) [@Badtz\_Maru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Badtz_Maru)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2003, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/down-to-earth-science-fiction/206336/34 "2003-10-10T04:52:06Z")
> [@](#): > > [as a color, a shade of purple gray] Heh, TFS was great. Someone should release an annotated version explaining all the in-jokes. ---
**Author:** ![Amethyst\_Autumn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b487fb/32.png) [@Amethyst\_Autumn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amethyst_Autumn)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2003, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/down-to-earth-science-fiction/206336/35 "2003-10-10T05:03:58Z")
Anything by **Connie Willis** or **Ursela LeGuin**. Willis is great at combining science fiction and history. LeGuin writes with an emphasis on sociology. ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2003, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/down-to-earth-science-fiction/206336/36 "2003-10-10T05:52:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Kaspar Hauser \* > \*\*So I’m looking for stories that take place today, or a few years ago, or a few years down the road but where it’s still recognizably Earth. First contact, time travel, super mutants, etc. all fair game but I find myself unable to enjoy a story if it begins like this: > > _“Fug-Nort of the Seventh Order gazed up at the twin moons of Klendor XV. He realized it was almost time for The Othering and missed his lifemate and their broodlings more than ever.”_ > \*\* How about a story that starts like this: > [@](#): > > _“The Deliverator’s car has enough potential energy packed into its batteries to fire a pound of bacon into the Asteroid Belt. Unlike a bimbo box or a Burb beater, the Deliverator’s car unloads that power through gaping, gleaming, polished sphincters. When the Deliverator puts the hammer down, shit happens. You want to talk contact patches? Your car’s tires have tiny contact patches, talk to the asphalt in four places the size of your tongue. The Deliverator’s car has big sticky tires with contact patches the size of a fat lady’s thighs. The Deliverator is in touch with the road, starts like a bad day, stops on a peseta.” --Neal Stephenson, SNOW CRASH_ Yes, already mentioned. I also second whoever mentioned Lee Killough and Connie Willis. And those examples you gave? I think you could do something with them. ---
**Author:** ![nefertari](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7bcc69/32.png) [@nefertari](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nefertari)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2003, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/down-to-earth-science-fiction/206336/37 "2003-10-10T11:57:07Z")
I would second PK Dick - I’m reading ‘Minority Report’ which is a collection of his short stories and are great. I guess this one is more apocalyptic than sci-fi, but I’m going to suggest “A Canticle for Leibowitz” anyhoo. ---
**Author:** ![nefertari](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7bcc69/32.png) [@nefertari](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nefertari)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2003, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/down-to-earth-science-fiction/206336/38 "2003-10-10T11:59:01Z")
Ooo I picked up some A.E Van Vogt after reading that previous sci-fi thread so, go dopers! - they’re great. ---
**Author:** ![Kaspar\_Hauser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b3f665/32.png) [@Kaspar\_Hauser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaspar_Hauser)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2003, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/down-to-earth-science-fiction/206336/39 "2003-10-10T15:32:57Z")
Thanks for the suggestions, everybody. Right now I’m reading _Footfall_ based on your recommendations, and there’s a shitload of other titles I’m looking forward to trying. _Footfall_’s great so far, so I have high hopes. P.S. That third example of mine is the opener to my soon-to-be-uncompleted masterpiece, _Wrecked Time? I Damn Near Killed Time!_ ---
**Author:** ![Kaspar\_Hauser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b3f665/32.png) [@Kaspar\_Hauser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaspar_Hauser)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2003, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/down-to-earth-science-fiction/206336/40 "2003-10-18T20:40:11Z")
Forgive me for bumping this, but I just wanted to thank everyone who recommended _Footfall_. It was exactly what I was looking for. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/down-to-earth-science-fiction/206336.md?page=1)