most literary science fiction books

One of the most literary science fiction books is 'Brave New World' by Aldous Huxley. It presents a dystopian future society with complex themes of human nature, control, and the cost of technological progress. Another is 'Dune' by Frank Herbert. It has a richly detailed universe, complex political intrigue, and deep exploration of ecological and religious ideas within a science - fiction framework. And 'Neuromancer' by William Gibson is also highly regarded. It was a pioneer in the cyberpunk genre, with a very literary style that delved into themes of artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and the relationship between man and machine.

One way is to look at the writing style. If the prose is rich, detailed, and uses complex language and literary devices like metaphor and symbolism, it's likely a very literary work. For example, in 'The Giver' by Lois Lowry, the simple yet profound descriptions add to its literary quality. Another aspect is the depth of themes. Books that explore deep philosophical, social, or moral questions within a science - fiction setting are usually more literary. Such as 'Solaris' by Stanislaw Lem, which delves into the nature of human consciousness.

Literary science fiction usually has a thought - provoking theme. It might explore philosophical questions about existence, morality, and the future of humanity. Take Isaac Asimov's 'Foundation' series, which contemplates the long - term development and decline of civilizations through the lens of psychohistory.

'Gateway' is also very popular. Its exploration of human nature in the face of the unknown, along with the unique setting of the alien space station, has attracted a large number of readers. People are drawn to the mystery of the ships and the potential for discovery, as well as the well - developed characters.

'Wool' by Hugh Howey was quite popular too. It's set in a post - apocalyptic silo, and the mystery and the characters' struggles within that confined space were really engaging for readers. The story gradually unfolds, revealing more about the world outside the silo as it progresses, which kept readers hooked.

I'm not sure which ones are the most popular exactly, but 'Snow Crash' by Neal Stephenson is often highly regarded. It's set in a future where the world has been transformed by a new form of technology and virtual reality, and it has a really unique and engaging plot.

I'm not entirely sure which ones were the most popular, but 'Doomsday Book' was widely talked about. It had an interesting premise of time - traveling historians.

The 'The Handmaid's Tale' is influential in a different way. It has made people think more deeply about social and political issues in the context of a possible future. It has also influenced the way we view dystopian literature and how it can be used as a warning about the direction our society could take if certain trends continue.

Another popular one could be 'The Uplift War'. It was part of a well - known series and had a lot of fans who were into the idea of the uplift concept, where lower species are 'uplifted' to sentience by higher ones. It had exciting battles and interesting alien species interactions.

Another popular one might be 'The Uplift War' by David Brin. It's part of a series and in 1989 it was attracting a lot of attention for its unique take on the evolution of intelligent species and the politics between them.