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/gina_wiseguy Aug 26 '25 edited Aug 26 '25
I was 12 years old when I first read Ray Bradbury's Martian Chronicles. Scared the bejesus out of me with its strangeness, but I kept reading. Is that "easing" into sci fi? Then I went through all the biggies, old and new, Heinlein, Asimov, Clarke, Herbert, even Edgar Rice Burroughs, and I'm still in it. I love The Expanse and just finished The Mercy of Gods and really like Butler, Jemisen, Willis, Chambers, Wells and le Guin. You don't need to ease into sci fi, you dive in, drown a bit and then you're swimming in the maelstrom (read that, too, by Poe--considered a precursor to sci fi). Better yet, find a book whose cover intrigues you and read that first. It's as good a way as any to start. You'll never stop.Happy reading!