Monday, January 09, 2017

Five science fiction novels that are literary classics

At the B&N Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog Jeff Somers tagged five science fiction novels that really should be considered literary classics. One title on the list:
The Giver, by Lois Lowry

One of the hallmarks of of great literature is that they are substantive enough to spur arguments, and The Giver is no exception. It’s story is of a dystopian future where emotions have been eliminated in favor of “sameness,” with one member of the community—the titular Giver—designated to host all the memories of what came before, in case that wisdom is needed. Though aimed at children, Lowry’s clever concept has the chameleon-like power to be mapped to real-world lessons. Like the literary badass she is, Lowry matches the straight-forward, colorless life of her characters with a straightforward writing style that deepens the sense of order until the protagonist begins to to question everything.
Read about another entry on the list.

The Giver made Jen Harper's top ten list of kids' books from the ’90s that have proven to be utterly timeless, John Corey Whaley's top ten list of coming of age books for teens, Shaun Byron Fitzpatrick's list of thirteen top, occasionally-banned YA novels, Guy Lodge's list of ten of the best dystopias in fiction, film, art, and television, Joel Cunningham's list of six great young adult book series for fans of The Hunger Games, and Lauren Davis's top ten list of science fiction’s most depressing futuristic retirement scenarios.

Coffee with a Canine: Lois Lowry & Alfie.

--Marshal Zeringue