Subject
Communication -- Fiction Books
Best books
George O. (George Oliver) Smith
Off the Beam
"Off the Beam" by George O. Smith is a science fiction novel written in the early 1940s. The story revolves around the spacefaring adventures of the crew aboard the spaceship "Solar Queen", navigating the perils of space travel and communication challenges in a time when technology is still evolving. The book explores themes of survival, problem-solving, and human resilience in the face of unforeseen circumstances. The narrative centers on Don Channing, who is aboard the "Solar Queen" when the ship collides with a meteor, leaving it adrift in space with minimal systems operational. As the crew suffers various injuries, Channing, who is somewhat prepared due to his knowledge and medication, takes on a leadership role. He rallies the remaining crew members to restore power and establish communication with Venus Equilateral. As they work against time to stabilize the ship and ensure their survival, they send out a signal that ultimately leads to their rescue. The story intertwines technical ingenuity with human emotion, particularly through Channing's relationship with his wife, Arden, whose concern for her husband's safety adds a personal touch to the high-stakes narrative.
Frank Herbert
Try to remember!
"Try to remember!" by Frank Herbert is a science fiction short story written in the early 1960s. The narrative unfolds in a tense atmosphere where humanity faces a dire threat from a galactic invader that demands effective communication or else face destruction. The plot centers on Francine Millar, a psychologist tasked with deciphering the language of the alien visitors while grappling with her own personal grief and the growing desperation of humanity in the wake of the alien ultimatum. As the story progresses, the tension among the team's linguists and psychologists intensifies as they struggle to communicate with the green-skinned aliens, who possess unique forms of language that blur the lines between verbal and non-verbal communication. Through symbolic gestures and primitive dances, Francine discovers profound truths about the nature of language and emotional expression, ultimately leading her to an epiphany that resonates with the scattered fragments of humanity's linguistic heritage. In a climactic moment, she confronts the alien representatives, emphasizing the need for genuine understanding over hollow words, which culminates in a poignant resolution that hints at a new era of communication and human evolution.
Harlan Ellison
Cosmic striptease
"Cosmic Striptease" by E. K. Jarvis is a satirical science fiction short story published in the late 1950s. The narrative unfolds a fascinating premise where humans receive an astonishing broadcast from Mars, showcasing the Martian culture through a series of unexpected and risqué presentations. This thought-provoking work highlights human civilization's evolving relationship with morality, technology, and nudity, exploring the boundaries of societal norms through an interplanetary lens. The story centers around a TV producer named Roy Mallory and his beautiful secretary, Edith Miller, amidst the historic Martian television broadcast known as the "Big Show." As the Martians attempt to educate humanity by illustrating their advanced way of life in a visually captivating manner, the contents of the show—including nudity and raw depictions of family life—spark controversy and chaos on Earth. Initially regarded as cultural television aimed at elevating human morals, viewers react with shock and disapproval, leading to a humorous unraveling of social mores. The evolving dynamics in Roy and Edith's relationship mirror the changing attitudes toward nudity, culminating in a societal shift indicating that humanity might gradually embrace a more liberated existence inspired by Martian civilization.
Robertson Osborne
Action on Azura
"Action on Azura" by Robertson Osborne is a science fiction novel written in the mid-20th century. The story centers around a team from CONTACT INCORPORATED on a mission to make contact with the inhabitants of Azura, a planet threatened by the Invaders, antagonistic beings that once devastated the natives and their cities. The narrative explores themes of communication, understanding, and trust between different species, depicting the challenges faced by the crew as they work to establish friendly relations with the wary Azurans. The plot follows Allan Stuart, a linguist who is part of the six-man crew attempting to connect with the intelligent and secretive native species of Azura. As the team lands on the planet, they encounter various strange creatures and mysterious elements of Azuran life while trying to communicate and survive. Through a combination of visual aids and weapons offered as gestures of goodwill, Stuart navigates cultural barriers, building trust with the natives after proving their intentions are peaceful. The narrative escalates into a race against time to forge an alliance before the return of the dangerous Invaders, ultimately culminating in a groundbreaking treaty that aims for mutual cooperation and defense against a common enemy.
George O. (George Oliver) Smith
Calling the Empress
"Calling the Empress" by George O. Smith is a science fiction novel written during the early 1940s. The book focuses on humanity's struggles with interplanetary communication and navigation amidst the backdrop of space travel, highlighting the challenges faced during an epidemic spread across planets. Set against the vastness of the cosmos, the narrative explores themes of ingenuity, urgency, and the intricate nature of space travel. In the story, the spaceship "Empress of Kolain" embarks on a journey from Mars to Venus, but soon finds itself in danger due to an outbreak of Venusian Fever sweeping across Venus, prompting a desperate call for rerouting. Characters Don Channing and Walt Franks at Venus Equilateral face immense challenges as they work against time to establish contact with the ship while it is in-flight—an untested endeavor. As they develop innovative technological solutions to beam messages across the void, they must navigate a series of technical hurdles, ultimately leading to a breathtaking moment of success when a young boy successfully communicates the urgent warning to the crew of the "Empress of Kolain". The novel culminates in a sense of triumph for collaboration and resilience in the face of adversity.
George O. (George Oliver) Smith
The Catspaw
"The Catspaw" by George O. Smith is a science fiction novel written in the late 1940s. The story begins with the protagonist, Thomas Barden, who experiences recurring dreams that integrate an alien sentience communicating vital knowledge about space travel and technology into his consciousness. As he grapples with the challenges of proving his newfound understanding of a science critical to his world's advancement, the narrative explores themes of discovery, skepticism, and the race against time. The opening of the novel introduces Thomas Barden in a state of chaotic sleep, haunted by dreams that feel both strange and significant. He eventually learns that these dreams convey knowledge of advanced scientific principles from an alien race, which he recognizes could be mankind's ticket to interstellar travel. As weeks pass, Barden diligently works to conceptualize this newfound science amidst doubt and disbelief from societal and scientific institutions. This tension sets the stage for his struggle to validate his discoveries and protect humanity from an impending threat posed by the ambitious factions of the extraterrestrial world that initially shared their knowledge with him.
James Stamers
E Being
"E Being" by James Stamers is a science fiction story written in the early 1960s. This imaginative tale explores themes of energy, existence, and the human experience through the lens of an individual who transforms into an "e being" after traveling at light speed. It examines the implications of this transformation, both on the protagonist and the fabric of reality itself. The narrative follows the protagonist, who becomes an e being—a form of life based on energy rather than matter—after a space travel accident. Floating in a strange, energy-filled realm, he encounters other similar beings and soon realizes the implications of his new state of existence. As he navigates his new environment, he unwittingly consumes the energy of nearby humans, leading to chaotic consequences. The story culminates in the protagonist being captured in a Leyden jar by Doctor McPherson, who has suspicions about the source of the strange disturbances caused by the protagonist's actions. Ultimately, the tale explores the balance between energy and existence, the unpredictability of technology, and the ethical dilemmas of consumption, all while maintaining a humorous yet cautionary tone.
John Jakes
Shango
"Shango" by John Jakes is a science fiction novel likely written in the mid-20th century. The story is set on a colonized planet called Valaya, which is characterized by cultural conflicts among its inhabitants, a mix of Creole and Martian backgrounds. The narrative primarily revolves around themes of communication and rebellion within this primitive society as it faces outside manipulation. The plot follows Arnold Koven, an operative sent to Valaya to investigate a series of coordinated raids instigated by a man named Bruschloss, a nefarious figure with ties to the Betelgeuse Bloc. Koven's quest leads him to uncover how the local ruler uses an intricate dance—the Shango—to relay strategic orders among the tribes while avoiding outside detection. As tensions escalate, Koven finds himself in a race against time to thwart Bruschloss's influence, culminating in a dramatic confrontation that highlights the intersection of culture, power, and survival on Valaya. The story weaves a rich tapestry of suspenseful twists and rich cultural dynamics that create an engaging read.
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