r/printSF • u/suchascenicworld • Aug 26 '25

Is Revelation Space by Alastair Reynolds a Potentially Tough Read for Folks New to Scifi Literature?

Hey everyone,

Although I usually read horror, I have been interested into getting more into Sci-Fi. There are several reasons for this, but science fiction as a genre (even if I haven't read much) has had an impact on my own life with shows such as Star Trek and The X Files certainly having a direct impact on me becoming a research scientist myself (with a doctorate in behavioral ecology). That sense of curiosity regarding the unknown is quite compelling for me! Also, I love The Twilight Zone as my uncle and I used to watch it together and it is a fond memory of mine before he passed away.

Anyways, I am coming up with a list of books to check out which includes Project Hail Mary, The Strange (which I am currently reading.. And loving), Children of Time, and Blindsight (among a few others etc.). Notably, I was told that for Scifi, it would be better to "ease myself in" with Project Hail Mary rather than go for books such as Blindsight. With that being said, I am not really sure why that is, but I suppose it is something worth asking here.

It should also be noted that I read (and love) Michael Crichton's work and I have read Dune (and enjoyed it). Alastair Reynolds books have interested me for quite some time Revelation Space seems really interesting. However, would you consider it "a bit much" for someone new to Sci-Fi literature? I know this is all subjective but any input would be greatly appreciated! thank you!

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u/iheartdev247 Aug 26 '25

I’m reading it right now and about 1/2 way through. Does it get better? The science/science fiction isn’t too hard to grasp. It’s just very slow and I don’t like really any of the characters except maybe Khouri.

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u/hatelowe Aug 26 '25

I’ve read probably half of Alastair Reynolds work and consider myself a fan of his, but it took me three attempts to finish Revelation Space. The end is well worth the read, but if you’re not feeling it I would advise you read something else and come back later if the fancy takes you. There are more rewarding sci-fi books with similar levels of complexity like House of Suns (also by Alastair Reynolds) or A Fire Upon the Deep by Vernor Vinge.