Social Science Fiction

[jain]

I'm looking for science fiction books that are based more in sociology and other social sciences than in the hard sciences. The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin exemplifies what I'm seeking...as do many of her other books, but I was hoping to read some good books in this genre written by someone other than Le Guin. :-)

Comments

[foxfinial]

Maureen McHugh is worth checking out. Her novel Mission Child is about the consequences of humans returning to a planet they colonised after some time - the effects of this on the societies that built up there and especially on the main character. I gather that McHugh's other books are also excellent. Sadly a lot of them are out of print, but I heartily recommend tracking them down - the Amazon marketplace has used copies.

Eleanor Arnason seems to do more social-based sf too, although I've not read any of her novel-length work.

[themis]

I haven't read Mission Child yet, but I really liked China Mountain Zhang - it's sort of plotless-at-first-glance and focuses very much on the everyday lived experience. Worth seeking out online or in used book stores.

[jain]

I'm pretty sure I read a popslash AU based on China Mountain Zhang back in the day that I remember really enjoying; I probably should read the book whose setting it borrowed. :-)

[jain]

Ooh, Mission Child sounds right up my alley. I'll definitely see if I can track that down. Thank you!