The Big Book of Science Fiction
What if life was neverending? What if you could change your body to adapt to an alien ecology? What if the pope were a robot? Spanning galaxies and millennia, this must-have anthology showcases classic contributions from H. G. Wells, Arthur C. Clarke, Octavia E. Butler, and Kurt Vonnegut, alongside a century of the eccentrics, rebels, and visionaries who have inspired generations of readers. Within its pages, youll find beloved worlds of space opera, hard SF, cyberpunk, the New Wave, and more. Learn about the secret history of science fiction, from titans of literature who also wrote SF to less well-known authors from more than twenty-five countries, some never before translated into English. In The Big Book of Science Fiction, literary power couple Ann and Jeff VanderMeer transport readers from Mars to Mechanopolis, planet Earth to parts unknown. Immerse yourself in the genre that predicted electric cars, space tourism, and smartphones. Sit back, buckle up, and dial in the coordinates, as this stellar anthology has got worlds within worlds.
This anthology is notable for its comprehensive historical scope, presenting a global perspective on science fiction from its origins in the mid-19th century through to the early 21st century. It includes many stories translated into English for the first time, offering a broader and more diverse representation of the genre than typically found in single-volume collections.
Ann and Jeff VanderMeer are known for their extensive work as editors of speculative fiction anthologies, and this collection continues their tradition of curating vast, thematically rich, and often boundary-pushing compilations. It shares a similar curatorial ambition and depth of research with their other 'Big Book' anthologies, such as 'The Weird' and 'The New Weird'.