an intro. to literary science fiction and fantasy
Explore the best literary science fiction and fantasy books with our curated intro list. Discover classic and modern masterpieces that blend rich storytelling with deep themes.
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The Worm Ouroboros
by E. R. Eddison
"The greatest and most convincing writer of 'invented worlds' that I have read." J. R. R. Tolkien. Written in the best traditions of Homeric epics, …
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Figures of Earth
by James Branch Cabell
A tale of the imaginary land of Poictesme, where chivalry and gallantry live on.
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Jurgen
by James Branch Cabell
One of the most-talked-about works of the 1920s, this compelling fantasy recounts the odyssey of a middle-aged pawnbroker who regains his youth for a year …
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The High Place
by James Branch Cabell
"In the sulphurous The High Place, the amoral hero Florian enters the sleeping-beauty story and (unlike Jurgen with Helen) does not draw back at the …
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The Silver Stallion
by James Branch Cabell
A humorous historical novel, set in a fictional French province during the Middle Ages. The novel describes the power struggles between the various rulers of …
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The Jack Vance Treasury
by Jack Vance
A massive (over 230,000 words) gathering of fiction by the master of science-fantasy.
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Norstrilla
by Cordwainer Smith
This is a volume in the NESFA's Choice series. The objective of this series is to publish the classic works of neglected sf authors, and …
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Melting Worlds
by Dorian Pratt
In the distant future, a drug smuggler disappears after meeting with a vicious dealer, and his lover, Jess Ichikawa, a young, emotionally unstable swordswoman, sets …
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The King of Elfland's Daughter
by Lord Dunsany
“No amount of mere description can convey more than a fraction of Lord Dunsany's pervasive charm.”—H.P. Lovecraft With an introduction by Neil Gaiman The poetic …
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The Thurb Revolution
by Alexei Panshin
"Yagoots? That's what Pickles and Daisy Smetana, formerly the Toast of the Empire, now the keepers of half an inn on a sleepy (but picturesque) …
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The DNA Cowboys Trilogy
by Mick Farren
"Written practically non-stop in 1975 and 1976, The DNA Cowboys Trilogy offers fantastic adventures into the unknown and unexpected. With influences that range from Star …
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The Annotated Alice: The Definitive Edition (The Annotated Books)
by Lewis Carroll
Presents an annotated version of "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking Glass," including recently discovered John Tenniel illustrations and newly added Martin Gardner …
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Elric of Melnibone
by Michael Moorcock
Melniboné: No longer the mighty empire that once dominated the world but a waning kingdom, dependent on trade from the human nations which have begun …
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The Coming of Conan the Cimmerian
by Robert E. Howard
Conan is one of the greatest fictional heroes ever created– a swordsman who cuts a swath across the lands of the Hyborian Age, facing powerful …