Classic science fiction
The Library of America Past Master
Book Synopsis
£13.46
Academic Studies Press Celestial Hellscapes: Cosmology as the Key to the
Book SynopsisNeither Arkadii nor Boris Strugatskii had originally intended to make a living in writing. Arkadii dreamed of becoming an astronomer, but his wartime experience and training led him to work as a translator and editor of Japanese literature. Boris intended to become a physicist, trained as an astronomer, and ended up as a computer specialist at Pulkovo Observatory. This common thread of astronomy turns out to be fantastically important for understanding their works, as their most important ones are experiments in cosmology, and their shared expertise is instrumental in their construction of literary hellscapes. This book explores how the Strugatskiis’ cosmological explorations are among the most fundamental elements of their art. It examines also how these explorations connect to their predecessors in the Russian literary tradition—particularly to the poetry of Pushkin.Trade Review"...Combining biographical insights with wide-ranging literary analysis, Celestial Hellscapes is an outstanding asset to scholars of science fiction. Reese’s book is particularly timely now, as the Strugatskiis’ best novels are finally re-translated and re-issued in English." —Muireanne Maguire, University of Exeter, Slavonic and East European Review (vol. 99, no. 3, July 2021)“Such a detailed, extensive study of the Strugatskys’ major works offers both academic and lay readers a window onto the events and ideas that influenced the brothers’ “Pushkinian cosmology…” One of only a few such studies of the Strugatskys’ works, Celestial Hellscapes shows just how integral Russian literature and culture, as well as the field of astronomy in the mid-twentieth century, were to the brothers’ literary imaginations… Reese’s study of the Strugatskys’ sf constitutes an important contribution to the field of Russian speculative fiction in particular and twentieth-century speculative fiction in general. The Strugatskys stand as authors of some of the most distinctive, thought-provoking novels and stories to have come out of the traumas of the twentieth century, and their work should be read and taught more widely in the Anglophone world.”—Rachel Cordasco, Journal of the Fantastic in the Arts“This engaging study sheds new light on key works by the Strugatskys and provides many useful insights for students and scholars alike… In each chapter, Reese deftly weaves close readings of the particular text with biographical, scientific and cultural context to expand the critical understanding of the Strugatskys’ works, and their place in the science fiction tradition in general. As a result, Celestial Hellscapes serves as valuable, engaging reading for students, scholars and Strugatsky fans alike.”—Benjamin Jens, University of Arizona, Slavic and East European Journal“This book is a first-rate contribution to scholarship on the Strugatskys. The brotherly duo of Arkady and Boris Strugatsky combine the best of the sciences and the humanities—what the late Soviet intelligentsia called ‘physicist’ and ‘lyricist.’ As a literary scholar and an amateur astronomer, Kevin Reese is well-positioned to explore their universes. … Reese has written an intelligent and enjoyable study that will speak to scholars, students, and fans of the worlds of the Strugatsky brothers.” —Sofya Khagi, University of Michigan, Russian Review“Crowning two decades of research on the nearly 30 science fiction works of 20th-century writers Arkadii Strugatskii and Boris Strugatskii, this book presents detailed analyses of the brothers’ symbolic, subtextual, and literary sources. Reese (also the Strugatskiis’ astute translator) writes that the authors’ experiences (biographical, political, and emotional) under the Soviets were at the heart of their work—be they in disguise or evident; in fact, they were communicating the human trauma Stalin (or any totalitarian ruler) created. … This book is interesting reading. … Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty.” —D. Hutchins, CHOICE ReviewsTable of Contents A note on the names of our “author” The Strugatskiis’ Pushkinian Cosmology Chapter 1: A Biography through Astronomy Chapter 2: Minor Planets: the Strugatskiis’ Earlier Experiments in Cosmology Chapter 3: The Hell of the Ignorant: The Second Martian Invasion Chapter 4: Poincaré’s Starless Hell: The Inhabited Island Chapter 5: Exceptions to the Laws of Thermodynamics: Roadside Picnic Chapter 6: “Long live darkness!”: A Billion Years Until the End of the World Chapter 7: The Island Universe and the Copper Doorknob: The Doomed City Chapter 8: Chronic Bewilderment and Astronomical “Fact”: Those Burdened by Evil Coda: “Day and night my Man in Black gives me no peace…”: The Yids of the City of Peter Afterword Bibliography Appendix I: The Altitude of Vega
£82.79
Sastrugi Press The Chessmen of Mars (Annotated)
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£17.13
Rebellion Publishing Ltd. Raven Stratagem
Book SynopsisWhen the hexarchate's gifted young captain Kel Cheris summoned the ghost of the long-dead General Shuos Jedao to help her put down a rebellion, she didn't reckon on his breaking free of centuries of imprisonment - and possessing her. Even worse, the enemy Hafn are invading, and Jedao takes over General Kel Khiruev's fleet, which was tasked with stopping them. Only one of Khiruev's subordinates, Lieutenant Colonel Kel Brezan, seems to be able to resist the influence of the brilliant but psychotic Jedao. Jedao claims to be interested in defending the hexarchate, but can Khiruev or Brezan trust him? For that matter, will the hexarchate's masters wipe out the entire fleet to destroy the rogue general?
£7.99
Big Finish Productions Ltd Survivors - Audiobook of Novel
Book SynopsisA deadly virus spreads across the world as quickly as the passenger jets that encircle it. Within weeks, most of the global population is dead. The human race is thrown back into the dark ages. The few left alive must rely on the most basic skills to survive one day to the next.
£24.00
Fantom Films Limited Beast of Fang Rock
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£18.23
Fantom Films Limited The War of the Worlds
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£17.27
Fantom Films Limited The First Men in the Moon
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£17.27
Fantom Films Limited The Time Machine
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£14.27
Fantom Films Limited The Door in the Wall and Other Stories
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£15.29
Anthem Press 'Voyage to the Moon' and Other Imaginary Lunar
Book Synopsis'Voyage to the Moon' And Other Imaginary Lunar Flights of Fancy in Antebellum America gathers for the first time in a scholarly critical edition four moon voyage stories published by Americans prior to the Civil War. Included in this volume are the works by George Tucker, Edgar Allan Poe, Richard Adams Locke and John Leonard Riddell. Along with a general introduction to the collection as a whole, each story has its own introductory material along with explanatory footnotes and appendixes to help identify the key points of its textual and cultural history.Table of ContentsList of Figures; Introduction; Acknowledgements; PART I: VOYAGE TO THE MOON: With Some Account of the Manners and Customs, Science and Philosophy, of the People of Morosofia, and other Lunarians (1827) —Joseph Atterley (George Tucker); CHAPTER I: Atterley’s birth and education—He makes a voyage—Founders off the Burman coast—Adventures in that Empire—Meets with a learned Brahmin from Benares; CHAPTER II: The Brahmin’s illness—He reveals an important secret to Atterley—Curious information concerning the Moon—The Glonglims—They plan a voyage to the Moon; CHAPTER III: The Brahmin and Atterley prepare for their voyage— Description of their travelling machine—Incidents of the voyage—The appearance of the earth; Africa; Greece—The Brahmin’s speculations on the different races of men—National character; CHAPTER IV: Continuation of the voyage—View of Europe; Atlantic Ocean; America—Speculations on the future destiny of the United States—Moral reflections—Pacific Ocean—Hypothesis on the origin of the Moon; CHAPTER V: The voyage continued—Second view of Asia—The Brahmin’s speculations concerning India—Increase of the Moon’s attraction—Appearance of the Moon—They land on the Moon; CHAPTER VI: Some account of Morosofia, and its chief city, Alamatua—Singular dresses of the Lunar ladies—Religious self-denial—Glonglim miser and spendthrift; CHAPTER VII: Physical peculiarities of the Moon—Celestial phenomena —Farther description of the Lunarians—National prejudice—Lightness of bodies—The Brahmin carries Atterley to sup with a philosopher—His character and opinions; CHAPTER VIII: A celebrated physician: his ingenious theories in physics: his mechanical inventions—The feather-hunting Glonglim; CHAPTER IX: The fortune-telling philosopher, who inspected the finger nails: his visiters—Another philosopher, who judged of the character by the hair—The fortune-teller duped—Predatory warfare; CHAPTER X: The travellers visit a gentleman farmer, who is a great projector: his breed of cattle: his apparatus for cooking—He is taken dangerously ill; CHAPTER XI: Lunarian physicians: their consultation—While they dispute the patient recovers—The travellers visit the celebrated teacher Lozzi Pozzi; CHAPTER XII: Election of the Numnoonce, or town-constable—Violence of parties—Singular institution of the Syringe Boys—The prize-fighters—Domestic manufactures; CHAPTER XIII: Description of the Happy Valley—The laws, customs, and manners of the Okalbians—Theory of population —Rent—System of government; CHAPTER XIV: Further account of Okalbia—The Field of Roses—Curious superstition concerning that flower—The pleasures of smell traced to association, by a Glonglim philosopher; CHAPTER XV: Atterley goes to the great monthly fair—Its various exhibitions; difficulties—Preparations to leave the Moon—Curiosities procured by Atterley—Regress to the Earth; CHAPTER XVI: The Brahmin gives Atterley a history of his life; CHAPTER XVII: The Brahmin’s story continued—The voyage concluded—Atterley and the Brahmin separate—Atterley arrives in New-York; PART II: “Hans Pfaall––A Tale” (June 1835) by Edgar Allan Poe; PART III: “Great Astronomical Discoveries Lately Made by Sir John Herschel” (August 25-–30, 1835) by Richard Adam Locke; PART IV: “Orrin Lindsay’s Plan of Aerial Navigation” (May 1847) by John Leonard Riddell; Appendix A: Excerpt from Washington Irving’s A History of New York, 1809; Appendix B: Excerpts from “Anonymous Review of A Voyage to the Moon,” reprinted from American Quarterly Review No. 5 (March 1828); Appendix C: “Note” added for inclusion in the “Hans Pfaall” version in Poe’s collection Tales of the Grotesque and Arabesque, 1840; Appendix D: “Richard Adam Locke” in Edgar Allan Poe’s The Literati, 1850; Appendix E: Contemporary Responses to Richard Adam Locke’s “Great Astronomical Discoveries”; Appendix F: P. T. Barnum on Locke’s “Moon Hoax” (1866).
£108.00
Cornerstone Star Wars: Aftermath: Life Debt
Book SynopsisThe Emperor is dead, and the remnants of his former Empire are in retreat. As the New Republic fights to restore a lasting peace to the galaxy, some dare to imagine new beginnings and new destinies. For Han Solo, that means settling his last outstanding debt, by helping Chewbacca liberate the Wookiee’s homeworld of Kashyyyk.Meanwhile, Norra Wexley and her band of Imperial hunters pursue Grand Admiral Rae Sloane and the Empire’s remaining leadership across the galaxy. Even as more and more officers are brought to justice, Sloane continues to elude the New Republic, and Norra fears Sloane may be searching for a means to save the crumbling Empire from oblivion. But the hunt for Sloane is cut short when Norra receives an urgent request from Princess Leia Organa. The attempt to liberate Kashyyyk has carried Han Solo, Chewbacca, and a band of smugglers into an ambush—resulting in Chewie’s capture and Han’s disappearance.Breaking away from their official mission and racing toward Kashyyyk, Norra and her crew prepare for any challenge that stands between them and their missing comrades. But they can’t anticipate the true depth of the danger that awaits them—or the ruthlessness of the enemy drawing them into his crosshairs.Trade Review‘an excellent read for Star Wars fans’ * Flickering Myth *Life Debt is one heck of a book * Star Wars Codex *ingenious and original * Star Wars Aficionado *Star Wars Aftermath: Life Debt is a great addition to the growing body of work that forms the new Star Wars world, and is full of some delicious hints about the future of the franchise. Great fun. * Starburst Magazine *A thrilling new Star Wars plot * Express.co.uk *A vivid experience, full of colour, smell and taste. Typically Star Wars… an intriguing read. A combination of diverse characters, landscapes and multiple plot twists/turns is sure to keep you entertained * Blabba the Hutt *Another highly enjoyable Star Wars tale – 9/10 * Scifi Bulletin *
£9.49
Cornerstone Star Wars: Catalyst: A Rogue One Novel
Book SynopsisLauded Star Wars author James Luceno returns to pen an intense tale of ambition and betrayal that sets the stage for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. War is tearing the galaxy apart. For years the Republic and the Separatists have battled across the stars, each building more and more deadly technology in an attempt to win the war. As a member of Chancellor Palpatine’s top secret Death Star project, Orson Krennic is determined to develop a superweapon before their enemies can. And an old friend of Krennic’s, the brilliant scientist Galen Erso, could be the key.Galen’s energy-focused research has captured the attention of both Krennic and his foes, making the scientist a crucial pawn in the galactic conflict. But after Krennic rescues Galen, his wife, Lyra, and their young daughter, Jyn, from Separatist kidnappers, the Erso family is deeply in Krennic’s debt. Krennic then offers Galen an extraordinary opportunity: to continue his scientific studies with every resource put utterly at his disposal. While Galen and Lyra believe that his energy research will be used purely in altruistic ways, Krennic has other plans that will finally make the Death Star a reality. Trapped in their benefactor’s tightening grasp, the Ersos must untangle Krennic’s web of deception to save themselves and the galaxy itself.Trade ReviewFilled with pace * Huffington Post *the perfect handover to Rogue One * SFX *A captivating tale * The Flickering Myth *An interesting story, and is a solid addition to the Star Wars Book shelf…There is a deep value to this book * Astromech Journal *You simply have to read this book * Star Wars Codex *
£9.49
Vintage Publishing The Time Machine
Book SynopsisBrilliantly imaginative fiction or the shape of things to come? H.G. Wells's masterpiece still retains its power to provoke and enthral.In the Time Traveller's miraculous new machine, we will be carried from a Victorian dinner table to 802,701 AD, when the Earth is divided between the gentle, ineffective Eloi, and the ape-like Morlocks; forward again by a million years or so to glimpse a dying world of blood-red beaches and menacing shapes; and on again to the last days of our planet, a remote twilight where nothing moves but darkness and a cold wind.Trade ReviewA seminal work of dystopian fiction, Wells's tale of the voyages of the Time Traveller in the distant future (AD 802,701) is also a cracking adventure story. * Sunday Telegraph *In its decency and commitment to the future, its dramatisation of its hero's moral and imaginative reach, The Time Machine is as good a testament as any to the values and achievement of one of our bravest and most stimulating writers, one whose best work comically or horrifically continues to feel as if it bodies forth the shape of things to come. * Independent on Sunday *A master writer who led a lot of people out of superstition and hopelessness * Guardian *
£6.99
Vintage Publishing The Invisible Man
Book SynopsisA cautionary horror story about the dangers of greed, isolation and a science without ethics, from the father of science fiction. The stranger arrives early in February, one wintry day, through a biting wind and a driving snow. He is wrapped up from head to foot, and the brim of his hat hides every inch of his face. Rude and rough, the stranger works with strange apparatus locked in his room all day and walks along lonely lanes at night, his bandaged face inspiring fear in children and dogs. Is he the mutilated victim of an accident? A criminal on the run? An eccentric genius? But no-one in the village comes close to guessing who has come amongst them, or what those bandages hide. ‘Wells was the founding father of science fiction, and in his utopian fantasy novels he was proved eerily correct’ Daily TelegraphTrade ReviewEnduringly captivating * Observer *Pioneering * Daily Mail *Wells was the founding father of science fiction, and in his utopian fantasy novels he was proved eerily correct * Daily Telegraph *The original; and far better than any of the film versions * The Times *An old tale of scientific hubris that walks the line between comedy and horror * New York Times *
£7.59
Vintage Publishing The War of the Worlds
Book SynopsisRead this stunning Vintage Classics edition of the original story of alien invasion from the father of science fiction, H.G. Wells.No one would have believed in the last years of the nineteenth century that this world was being watched keenly and closely by intelligences greater than man's; that as men busied themselves about their various concerns they were scrutinised and studied. Yet across the gulf of space, intellects vast and cool and unsympathetic regarded this earth with envious eyes, and slowly and surely drew their plans against us.Then, late one night, in the middle of the English countryside, they landed.Trade ReviewVariously interpreted as a commentary on evolutionary theory, British imperialism and Victorian fears and prejudices, War of the Worlds tells the nail-biting tale of one man's struggle to track down his wife during an alien invasion. Included are some of the most vivid scenes of London in literature * Independent *Sharply satirises the human refusal to look beyond men's petty concerns...wonderfully suggestive * Daily Telegraph *The cosily familiar settings emphasise the horror of the invasion...spookily prescient of the World Wars. Science fiction often dates badly; not so here: hard to believe this was written in 1898 * Observer *An astonishing mind and a visionary imagination * Daily Mail *The classic tale of alien invasion, and still the best * The Times *
£7.99
Vintage Publishing 1984
Book SynopsisTHE AUTHORATITIVE TEXT "It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen."The year is 1984. War and revolution have left the world unrecognisable. Great Britain, now known as Airstrip One, is ruled by the Party, led by Big Brother. Mass surveillance is everything and The Thought Police ensure no individual thinking is allowed. Winston Smith works at The Ministry of Truth, carefully rewriting history. But Winston dreams of freedom, and of rebellion. It is here that he falls in love with Julia, and starts a secret, forbidden affair with her - but in this world nothing can be kept secret, and they are forced to face consequences more terrifying than either of them could have ever imagined.A dystopian masterpiece, this is the powerful and prophetic novel that defined the twentieth century. WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY ROBERT HARRIS
£8.54
Vintage Publishing Player Piano: The debut novel from the iconic
Book SynopsisPlayer Piano is the debut novel from one of history's most innovative authors, published on Vonnegut's 100th birthday.In Player Piano, the first of Vonnegut's wildly funny and deadly serious novels, automata have dramatically reduced the need for America's work force. Ten years after the introduction of these robot labourers, the only people still working are the engineers and their managers, who live in Ilium; everyone else lives in Homestead, an impoverished part of town characterised by purposelessness and mass produced houses.Paul Proteus is the manager of Ilium Works. While grateful to be held in high regard, Paul begins to feel uneasy about his position - especially after a trip to Homestead. Eventually, Paul makes the decision to rebel against all he's been given, inciting seismic repercussions...'His black logic...gives us something to laugh about and much to fear' New York Times Book ReviewWatch the documentary about his life - Kurt Vonnegut: Unstuck in Time - on PrimeTrade ReviewA funny, savage appraisal of a totally automated American society of the future * San Francisco Chronicle *The seeds of his [Vonnegut's] trademarks are here: a satirical eye on the world and deep love for humanity * The Times *
£9.49
Vintage Publishing 1984
Book SynopsisA dystopian masterpiece - the powerful and prophetic novel that defined the twentieth century.The year is 1984. War and revolution have created an unrecognisable world. Great Britain, now known as Airstrip One, is ruled by the Party, led by Big Brother. Mass surveillance is total and The Thought Police ensure no individual thinking is allowed.Winston Smith works at The Ministry of Truth, carefully rewriting history. But Winston dreams of freedom, and of rebellion. It is here that he falls in love with Julia, and starts a secret, forbidden affair with her - but in this world nothing can be kept secret, and they are forced to face consequences more terrifying than either of them could have ever imagined.''A profound, terrifying, and wholly fascinating book'' New Yorker''No novel of the past century has had more influence than George Orwell's 1984'' AtlanticWITH AN INTRODUCTION BY ROBERT HARRIS
£8.54
Vintage Publishing The Big Book of Cyberpunk Vol. 2
Book SynopsisVOLUME TWO OF TWO''A huge, eye-opening, mind-blowing surprise'' Lisa Tuttle, Guardian A genre-defining-and redefining-collection of fiction''s boldest, most rebellious, and most prescient genre, featuring a smorgasbord of stories from across the globeIn The Big Book of Cyberpunk, award-winning anthologist Jared Shurin brings together over a hundred stories from more than twenty-five different countries. Here are tales that both establish and subvert the classic Cyberpunk tropes and aesthetic [RR1] [SN2] from gritty, near-future noir to pulse-pounding action. Urban rebels undermine their monolithic corporate overlords, daring heists are conducted through back alleys and the darkest parts of the online world, and dangerous new technology, cybernetic enhancements, scheming AIs, corporate mercenaries, improbable weapons and roguish hackers all collide into rich, thrilling entertainment. Set across two volumes, these are stories that examine
£21.25
Ebury Publishing Doctor Who: Evil of the Daleks
Book SynopsisYoung astrophysicist Zoe wishes to join Jamie and the Doctor on their travels. To give her fair warning of the dangers she may face, the Doctor uses a mind projector to share one of their most harrowing adventures...And so, Jamie is forced to relive his struggle against the evil Daleks at their most powerful and calculating. In a complex plot that drags him from modern-day London to Victorian times and finally to the Dalek world of Skaro, he endures ordeals that test his courage, strength - and his friendship with the Doctor - to the limit...
£19.80
Ebury Publishing Doctor Who Fear Death by Water
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£15.29
Ebury Publishing Doctor Who Spectral Scream
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£15.29
Flame Tree Publishing Robots & Artificial Intelligence Short Stories
Book Synopsis"Flame Tree Publishing continues to publish excellent fiction with their Gothic Fantasy series of anthologies offering themed compendiums of both classic and modern fiction. By doing so, the series lets readers note similarity, differences and trends of subgenres over time." - Kirkus The promise and the threat of technology, of humankind replaced by its own mechanical creation has long enticed the SF and fantasy imagination. This fabulous mix of new and established writing brings together the top talents of today with classic and essential authors, including L. Frank Baum, Ambrose Bierce, E.T.A. Hoffmann, Jerome K. Jerome and more. New, contemporary and notable writers featured are: Roan Clay, George Cotronis, Deborah L. Davitt, Jeff Deck, Christopher M. Geeson, Bruce Golden, Rob Hartzell, Nathaniel Hosford, Rachael K. Jones, Rich Larson, Monte Lin, Trixie Nisbet, Chloie Piveral, David Sklar, Claire Allegra Sorrenson, Sara L. Uckelman, Holly Lyn Walrath, Nemma Wollenfang, and Eleanor R. Wood.Trade Review"Flame Tree Publishing continues to publish excellent fiction with their Gothic Fantasy series of anthologies offering themed compendiums of both classic and modern fiction. By doing so, the series lets readers note similarity, differences and trends of subgenres over time.""The new stories specially selected for the anthology are the ones that shine. The mixture of both is an excellent idea and I liked the biographical information at the back about the authors." -- sfcrowsnest
£16.00
Legend Press Ltd The Time Machine (Legend Classics)
Book SynopsisPart of the Legend Classics seriesA brilliant scientist constructs a machine that allows him to journey into the future. He travels to the year AD 802,701 where he discovers that humanity has evolved into two separate races: the beautiful vegetarian Eloi people who live purposeless lives and the terrifying carnivorous Morlocks who lives under the ground. After barely escaping the Morlocks, the time-travelling scientist has to make yet another trip even further into the futureThe Time Machine is considered one of the best science-fiction novel of all time and the first to popularize the concept of a time machine ? a term coined by Wells.
£8.54
Vintage Publishing Nineteen Eighty-Four
Book SynopsisIt was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.The year is 1984, and life in Oceania is ruled by the Party. Under the gaze of Big Brother, Winston Smith yearns for intimacy and love - "thought crimes" that, if uncovered, would mean imprisonment, or death. But Winston is not alone in his defiance, and an illicit affair will draw him into the mysterious Brotherhood and the realities of resistance. Nineteen Eighty-Four has been described as chilling, absorbing, satirical, momentous, prophetic and terrifying. It is all these things, and more.The Authoritative Text. With an introduction by Robert Harris.*The jacket of this stunning hardback edition features period artwork by Elizabeth Friedlander, one of Europe's pre-eminent 20th-century graphic designers. Look out for complementary editions of Orwell's essential works Animal Farm and Down and Out in Paris and London.*Trade ReviewThe book of the twentieth century...haunts us with an ever-darker relevance * Independent *His final masterpiece... Enthralling and indispensable for understanding modern history * New York Review of Books *Orwell remains the most indispensable English writer of his period * Observer *Matchlessly sharp and fresh... The clearest and most compelling English prose style this century -- John Carey * Sunday Times *Many writers and journalists have tried to imitate his particular kind of clarity without possessing anything like his moral authority -- Peter Ackroyd * The Times *
£14.24
Headline Publishing Group The Science Fiction Puzzle Book: Inspired by the
Book SynopsisEnter the genre-defining worlds created by five masters of speculative fiction in The Science Fiction Puzzle Book. Featuring the prolific works of Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury, Arthur C. Clarke, Robert A. Heinlein and Ursula K. Le Guin, become part of their futuristic, dystopian and world-building adventures with this series of enigmatic puzzles. Containing more than 100 enigmas, riddles and conundrums, all taking inspiration from their extraordinary stories and vivid worlds, explore new galaxies and new technologies while solving challenges all written in the distinctive and brilliant styles of these five stars of science fiction. 'A knotty puzzle may hold up a scientist for a century' – Isaac Asimov, The Robots of Dawn. Table of ContentsThis book draws from the many different worlds, galaxies and universes featured in Asimov, Bradbury, Heinlein, Clarke and Le Guin's works to create more than 100 futuristic riddles and enigmas. The puzzles are inspired by their most famous works – including Asimov's 'Foundation' series, Le Guin's 'Earthsea' saga and Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 – along with many other much-loved titles. Stylish artworks and illustrations are included to re-create the atmosphere of each captivating tale.
£13.49
BBC Worldwide Ltd Doctor Who and the Sunmakers: 4th Doctor
Book SynopsisLouise Jameson reads this classic novelisation of a Fourth Doctor TV adventure featuring Leela and K9“Attention to detail is the hallmark of this always excellent range” Doctor Who Magazine"Louise Jameson...creates a sense of fun but still injects that essential air of tension during action sequences." - Doctor Who MagazineEveryone knows that Pluto is a barren, airless rock. So naturally the Doctor is surprised when he discovers artificial suns and an ultramodern industrial city.What’s more, a group of colonists is being worked — and taxed — to death in this inhospitable and supposedly undeveloped part of the Universe.With the help of his companion Leela, and the faithful K9, the Doctor teams up with the rebels who inhabit the city’s underbelly. Together they take on the mysterious and powerful Company, a ruthless exploiter ofplanets and their people.Louise Jameson, who played Leela in the BBC series, reads Terrance Dicks’s unabridged novelisation of the 1977 TV adventure by Robert Holmes, starring Tom Baker as the Doctor.Duration: 3 hours and 30 mins approx
£18.00
Flame Tree Publishing The Time Machine
Book SynopsisA masterful tale from the founding father of science fiction. An ingenious inventor creates a machine which can hurtle through time.With no idea what to expect, the time traveller sets out on an epic adventure into the unknown. On his first journey into the future of the human race, the traveller encounters the Eloi: an apathetic but carefree tribe, forming a close bond with the woman Weena. Less appealing however, are the bestial Morlocks who stalk the area at night, picking off the Eloi for food. When his time machine disappears, the time traveller is faced with no option but to confront the ape-like creatures, unwittingly starting a deadly battle in order to escape. FLAME TREE 451: From mystery to crime, supernatural to horror and fantasy to science fiction, Flame Tree 451 offers a healthy diet of werewolves and mechanical men, blood-lusty vampires, dastardly villains, mad scientists, secret worlds, lost civilizations and escapist fantasies. Discover a storehouse of tales gathered specifically for the reader of the fantastic. Each book features a brand new biography and glossary of Literary, Gothic and Victorian terms.
£7.43
Flame Tree Publishing The Last Man
Book SynopsisA brilliant, early dystopian tale of classic science fiction. The Last Man is a powerful, post-apocalyptic tale and precursor to the much later science fiction novels of H.G. Wells, George Orwell, Philip K. Dick and Harlan Ellison amongst others. Overshadowed by the titanic success of Frankenstein, Mary Shelley’s neglected masterpiece tells of a future laid waste by plague. Lionel Varney, an indolent nobleman, is immune to the savage effects of the disease having been bitten by an early victim. Varney is forced to watch the long decline of civilisation as humanity sinks slowly into extinction. FLAME TREE 451: From mystery to crime, supernatural to horror and fantasy to science fiction, Flame Tree 451 offers a healthy diet of werewolves and mechanical men, blood-lusty vampires, dastardly villains, mad scientists, secret worlds, lost civilizations and escapist fantasies. Discover a storehouse of tales gathered specifically for the reader of the fantastic. Each book features a brand new biography and glossary of Literary, Gothic and Victorian terms.
£7.59
Flame Tree Publishing A Dying Planet Short Stories
Book SynopsisResources running low, the population exploding, the planet is in danger: are we masters of our own destruction, or have we been invaded by aliens bent on mass extinction? Is this a pattern across the entire universe, or just our small sector of cosmic life? This new title in our successful Gothic Fantasy Short Stories series explores the theme of a dying planet, written by a fabulous mix of classic, ancient and brand new writing, with contemporary authors from all over the world. For the first time we’ve made a conscious effort to reach beyond our usual submissions seeking broader voices. This book offers a glorious mix of American, British, Canadian, Italian, Indian, Spanish and Chinese writers with contributions from Barton Aikman, V.K. Blackwell, Steve Carr, Brandon Crilly, AnaMaria Curtis, Kate Dollarhyde, Megan Dorei, Stephanie Ellis, Anita Ensal, E.E. King, Michael Kortes, Raymond Little, Ken Liu, Thana Niveau, John B. Rosenman, Sydney Rossman-Reich, Elizabeth Rubio, Zach Shephard, Shikhandin, Alex Shvartsman, Kristal Stittle, Rebecca E. Treasure, Francesco Verso, and Marian Womack. These sit alongside classic stories by authors such as Clark Ashton Smith, Stanley G. Weinbaum, H.G. Wells and more, as well as stretching back much further, to the Norse Eddas and Sagas, and an Ancient Egyptian Myth on the death of humankind.
£16.00
Flame Tree Publishing The City Among the Stars
Book SynopsisFirst English translation of the celebrated Golden Age Science Fiction Classic. "This stunning classic stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Arthur C. Clarke, Asimov, and Heinlein." – New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O'Neal Gear Tankar Holroy, Lieutenant in the Stellar Guard of earth’s Empire, floats in space after his spaceship is sabotaged. Rescued by an enormous, unknown ship, he awakes to discover himself saved by the People of the Stars who are born and live in space with minimal contact with planets and their occupants whom they call, with contempt, planetaries. The chilly welcome he receives from the ship’s leader, the Teknor, is followed by overt hostility from the other inhabitants of the Tilsin. Only a woman named Orena reaches out to him. Tankar soon realizes that he was rescued for his knowledge of tracers, the technology that allows Empire ships to track others through hyperspace, a technology the People of the Stars lack. Out of spite, he refuses to deliver the one piece of knowledge that can protect the people who saved but now spurn him - and the consequences will be catastrophic. FLAME TREE PRESS is the new fiction imprint of Flame Tree Publishing. Launched in 2018 the list brings together brilliant new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices.Trade Review"Most of the world knew Francois Bordes as one of the world's leading paleoanthropologists. His The Old Stone Age was required reading for generations of archaeologists. Long considered one of France's giants of science fiction, and writing under the pen name Francis Carsac, his The City of the Stars is now available in English translation. This stunning classic stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Arthur C. Clarke, Asimov, and Heinlein." – New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O'Neal Gear"A dramatic exploration of belonging and the weight of unintended consequences set within twin wars, The City Among the Stars revives the golden age of science fiction for a new audience.""Devotees of classic sci-fi will appreciate this translation."“Riveting and introspective, The City among the Stars is a novel that readers will devour in one sitting, anticipating the turn of every page.”“Reminiscent of Poul Anderson, Gordon Dickson, and Leigh Brackett, Carsac is a good storyteller and The City Among the Stars is a fun tale set in an interesting culture. We can only hope that more translations of Carsac’s work are in the pipeline.”
£8.96
Verso Books Terminal Boredom: Stories
Book SynopsisOn a planet where men are contained in ghettoised isolation, women enjoy the fruits of a queer matriarchal utopia -- until a boy escapes and a young woman's perception of the world is violently interupted. Two old friends enjoy cocktails on a holiday resort planet where all is not as it seems. A bickering couple emigrate to a world that has worked out an innovative way to side-step the need for war, only to bring their quarrels (and something far more destructive) with them.And in the title story, Suzuki offers readers a tragic and warped mirroring of her own final days as the tyranny of enforced screen-time and the mechanistion of labour bring about a shattering psychic collapse. At turns nonchalantly hip and charmingly deranged, Suzuki's singular slant on speculative fiction would be echoed in countless later works, from Margaret Atwood and Harumi Murakami, to Black Mirror and Ex Machina. In these darkly playful and punky stories, the fantastical elements are always earthed by the universal pettiness of strife between the sexes, and the gritty reality of life on the lower rungs, whatever planet that ladder might be on.Trade ReviewSuzuki is a daring writer and these stories will show the English-language world what she is made of. -- Jessica Esa * Metropolis Japan (5 Japanese Novels to Read in 2021) *Her punky irreverence remains radiant * Frieze *If you're into Kobo Abe and prefer Ryu Murakami to Haruki you'll not (as the title of this inaugural translation of Suzuki into English suggests), be bored. * The Millions (Most Anticipated: The Great First-Half 2021 Book Preview) *Weird and wonderful, unique and unsettling ... You won't put this one down. * Osusume Books *The stories chosen for this collection showcase an author whose interest in alienation and despair as well as playful literary exploration parallels the work of other '70s SF titans such as Joanna Russ or Thomas Disch. . Essential reading not only for those interested in Japanese SF, but for anyone interested in spiky, beautiful, and bleak literature. -- Nell Keep * Booklist (Starred Review) *These strangely prescient stories are perfect for fans of Haruki Murakami, George Saunders, and Philip K. Dick. * Publishers Weekly *The latest inclusion in the modern canon of Japanese women authors' surreal feminist work, [Terminal Boredom] puts a distinctly sci-fi spin on the concept. * Thrillist (30 Books We Can't Wait to Read in 2021) *Surprisingly contemporary ... with pertinent musings on the mutability of gender and the elusive nature of identity. -- Declan O'Driscoll * Irish Times *With the use of speculative elements, [Suzuki's] dark and playful stories highlight the realities of living on the lower rungs of society. -- Patricia Thang * Book Riot *[Terminal Boredom plays] with tech, gender, and tradition in marvelous ways. Highly recommended. -- Patrick Rapa * Philadelphia Inquirer *There's nothing boring about the short stories in Terminal Boredom. * The A.V. Club (5 new books to read in April) *Terminal Boredom provides a historical capsule and an interesting mirror to the American science fiction of the [1970s]. -- Silvia Moreno-Garcia * Washington Post *The seven stories here are not only still relevant but remarkably fresh . brilliant -- Lisa Tuttle * Guardian *Each of the worlds Suzuki creates is deep and complex, with many of the questions raised lingering long after the last page and making you crave more. -- Iain Maloney * Japan Times *An engaging and highly-relevant collection of short stories that will resonate with many readers, especially fans of writers like Philip K. Dick, Kurt Vonnegut, and even George Orwell, but from a refreshingly female perspective. -- Rachel Stanyon * Asymptote Journal *Full of punk, punch, and feminist shruggings ... a spiky, timeless, and timely collection of psychologically astute speculative fiction * Lunate Fiction *Sure to be a treat for fans of Haruki Murakami, George Saunders, and the twisty genre experimentation of Black Mirror. * Chicago Review of Books (12 Must-Read Books for April) *The work and messages of Ursula K. Le Guin, the author's longer-lived contemporary, come to mind. -- Catherine Lacey * New York Times *A welcome glimpse inside the mind of a writer whose talent has been overlooked for far too long. * All the Anime *Suzuki's stories are reminiscent of the unhinged science fiction dystopias of the master of the craft, Philip K. Dick ... [and] extend the canon of twentieth century science fiction. -- Ian MacAllen * Chicago Review of Books *Suzuki's work, now released in English for the first time, marks an exciting moment. Its themes feel of-the-moment despite being written over thirty years ago, and yet they are also surreal-the imagined artificialities of the 1980s written as futuristic now mirror our mundane, modern technology. -- Makenna Goodman * Electric Literature *The themes of [Suzuki's] fiction thrum with a resistant, brightly grim tension. Passing decades certainly haven't dulled the razor's cut of her punk sensibilities. -- Lee Mandelo * Tor *A vital addition to the science fiction canon in the anglophone world ... If there is any proof needed that the future has ended, it is that these stories can speak to us so directly across the four decades since their writing. -- Calum Barnes * The Quietus *Dazzling ... her stories are characterised by the elegance with which they pierce the well-ordered surface of modern life to uncover the corrosion at its heart. -- Andy Hedgecock * Morning Star *At last, we have access to some of [Suzuki's] most exciting works * Books & Bao *Terminal Boredom is even more striking and believable in 2020 than it was in 1980 . Suzuki's feminist spirit is as relevant and her stories as piercing today as they were more than thirty years ago -- Alison Fincher * Asian Review of Books *One of the freshest collections I've read in years. -- Andy Weir * Toronto Star *Brilliant and often bleak . all shot through with a camp ethos, dark humour and kitchen-sink realism . in their brio and jagged urgency, these stories have, if anything, only gained in their alarming immediacy. -- Bryan Karetnyk * Times Literary Supplement *A thoroughly likeable and engaging book -- Bernard Cohen * South China Morning Post *Whether riffing on the poison of technology or about private feelings of loneliness and want, there is a psychic complexity to Suzuki's fiction ... Terminal Boredom is a reason for celebration. -- Jason Parham * WIRED *No matter how strange the fictional worlds of the future she manufactures, her reader would find something deeply familiar in the simple conversations of her characters. -- Xiaochen Su * The News Lens *Although they were written in the 70s and 80s, some of [the stories in Terminal Boredom] feel so fresh that it would be easy to mistake them as new ... For its time, the writing is subversive, defiant, and unapologetic, and for our time, it is poignant and prescient. -- Leah Binns * Full Stop *Gets under the skin ... The groundlessness of life, the absence of the big Other, is a disconcerting theme and a feminist perspective is explored in a highly speculative and punkish way -- Sean Sheehan * The Prisma *Wildly imaginative ... Psychologically this book is not an easy read, but intellectually it is fascinating -- Kerryn Goldsworthy * Syndey Morning Herald *Izumi Suzuki was a wonderful writer who should've been published in English much sooner. Like the protagonist of 'Women and Women', we've been deprived of some good jams. -- Lloyd Markham * New Welsh Review *Sucks you with its darkness. -- Eugen Bacon * Aurealis *Darkly irreverent ... such well-written anatomies of anxiety and dissatisfaction are both timeless and of obvious relevance today. -- Rhian E. Jones * New Humanist *Intriguing from start to finish, rife with bitter truths about relationships, imaginative haunting worlds, and-buried beneath it all-some insightful commentary on the human condition. -- Ethan Wescoatt * International Examiner *Suzuki's science fiction isn't neatly categorisable ... Her voice is fiercely unique and her stories linger in the corner of the mind's eye long after reading - devour them. -- Jennifer Brough * Lucy Writers Platform *The truths, beauty and strangeness [Suzuki] gave the world throughout her career are hard-fought, rewarding, and demanding. -- Josh Wilson * The Fabulist *Startlingly prescient ... Part of what makes Suzuki's storytelling so engrossing is her ability to depict existential boredom and grim, sometimes terrifying, futures without falling into fatalism. -- Julia Shiota * The Ploughshares Blog *Terminal Boredom is a subtle but sharp collection ... and a worthwhile introduction to Izumi Suzuki's work. -- Juliet Jacques * Tribune *These are brash, clever, odd works of science fiction, propelled by an irreverent kind of up yours! energy, and yet also a deep worry for the state of life in twentieth-century Japan and also the planet itself. -- Rhian Sasseen * The Baffler *
£10.99
Arcturus Publishing Ltd The First Men in the Moon
Book SynopsisIn one of the earliest works of science fiction, H. G. Wells brings to life the joys of space travel and humanity''s boundless curiosity.When penniless businessman Mr Bedford moves to Kent in the hopes of writing a play, he meets mad scientist Mr Cavor who is developing an anti-gravity metal. One man seeking his fortune and the other scientific discovery, this unlikely pair journey to the moon using Mr Cavor''s new invention. But what creatures lurk beneath its cratered surface? The First Men in the Moon is a swashbuckling adventure about the discovery of extra-terrestrial life. However, undercutting this action is a poignant exploration of ethics in the face of scientific progress. Wells is a master science fiction writer and his works have influenced the genre for more than a century.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Arcturus Classics series brings together high-quality paperback editions of classics works, presented with contemporary graphic cover designs. Together they make a wonderful collection which is perfect for any home library.
£6.99
Arcturus Publishing Ltd Stories of the Dreamlands
Book SynopsisH.P. Lovecraft was a pioneer of modern horror fiction, his uncanny tales melding haunting gothic prose with colossal fantasy. This collection brings together 25 of his ''Dream Cycle'' tales which take place in an alternate dimension that is visited through dreams. These include: • Polaris • The Case of Charles Dexter Ward • The Color Out of Space • The Outsider • The Cats of UltharLovecraft has inspired countless horror and science fiction writers, including Stephen King, Neil Gaiman and China Miéville, and his storytelling remains enthralling, vivid and terrifying.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Arcturus Classics series brings together high-quality paperback editions of classics works, presented with contemporary graphic cover designs. Together they make a wonderful collection which is perfect for any home library.
£6.99
Legend Press Ltd A Christmas Carol (Legend Classics)
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£8.54
Legend Press Ltd The War of the Worlds (Legend Classics)
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£6.74
Legend Press Ltd Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (Legend
Book SynopsisIf I am the chief of sinners, I am the chief of sufferers also.Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is a novella written by Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson and published in 1886.London lawyer John Gabriel Utterson decides to investigate the appearance of the brutish and evil Edward Hyde, which leads him back to his old friend, Dr Henry Jekyll.The Legend Classics series:Around the World in Eighty DaysThe Adventures of Huckleberry FinnThe Importance of Being EarnestAlice''s Adventures in WonderlandThe MetamorphosisThe Railway ChildrenThe Hound of the BaskervillesFrankensteinWuthering HeightsThree Men in a BoatThe Time MachineLittle WomenAnne of Green GablesThe Jungle BookThe Yellow Wallpaper and Other StoriesDraculaA Study in ScarletLeaves of GrassThe Secret GardenThe War of the WorldsA Christmas CarolStrange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr HydeHeart of DarknessThe Scarlet LetterThis Side of ParadiseOliver TwistThe Picture of Dorian GrayTreasure IslandThe Turn of the ScrewThe Adventures of Tom SawyerEmmaThe TrialA Selection of Short Stories by Edgar Allan PoeGrimm Fairy TalesThe AwakeningMrs DallowayGulliver's TravelsThe Castle of OtrantoSilas MarnerHard Times
£8.54
Templar Publishing Tales from Beyond the Stars
Book SynopsisLong before humans ventured into outer space, writers spun stories of what might lie in the unknown worlds beyond our planet and speculated about the future. This striking collection features retellings of seven classic science fiction stories. From tales of space exploration, to time travellers and alien invaders, this striking anthology is the perfect introduction to the world of science fiction.Includes:The Star by H G WellsMicromegas by VoltaireThe Last Man by Mary ShelleyFrom the Earth to the Moon by Jules VerneHerland by Charlotte Perkins GilmanThe War of the Worlds by H.G. WellsBuck Rogers: Armageddon 2419 AD by Philip Francis NowlanWritten by Adam Roberts and with vivid illustrations by artist Evangeline Gallagher.
£16.00
Y Lolfa Stori Sydyn: Aduniad
Book SynopsisA short horror story for reluctant, 14+ year old readers. Part of the Stori Sydyn series. When four college friends go camping to Cwm Darran, one of them goes missing overnight ... and things go from bad to worse swiftly! A story to send a shiver down your spine!
£4.06
Titan Books Ltd Out of the Drowning Deep
Book SynopsisIn the distant future, when mortals mingle withthegods indeepspace, anout-of-date automaton, a recovering addict, and an angel race to solvethePope's murder in an abandoned corner of the galaxy.
£10.79
Troubador Publishing Lifespinners
Book SynopsisIn 2048, medical science has overcome all the diseases and limiting conditions of old age. In the exclusive community of Wellowfern, radical life extension has turned from distant dream to near reality and competing forces are lining up to impose their widely different visions of the future. Isabel is a loyal and influential resident who knows about corporate intrigue and the power of self-interest. She now has to figure out who is pulling the strings, which side she is on and how best to defend her safe haven and her eccentric, misfit friends, as the high-level infighting threatens to overwhelm them.
£12.72
Troubador Publishing Ltd Paralelo
Book SynopsisA Kickstarter success. A sci-fi and space horror adventure by a Space engineer (NASA-ESA, Industry) working with Quantum Teleportation or the ISS. Commissioned illustrations accompany the story, including a cover by Nekro XIII
£11.69
Olympia Publishers Tallulah Pazuzu
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£9.49
Arcturus Publishing Ltd The Invisible Man
Book SynopsisIn the village of Iping, a strange man arrives at a local inn wrapped in bandages. He refuses to leave his room where he is carrying out experiments to make himself invisible. The stranger''s success has grave implications for everyone. When he realises that he cannot reverse the experiment, he is gradually driven insane.This seminal tale acts as a powerful warning about unintended consequences. The journey on which the invisible man embarks turns out to be a penetrating, unflinching, and unsettling look into the heart of human nature.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Arcturus Classics series brings together high-quality paperback editions of classics works, presented with contemporary graphic cover designs. Together they make a wonderful collection which is perfect for any home library.
£6.99
Arcturus Publishing Ltd The Chrysalids
Book Synopsis''Absolutely and completely brilliant... The Chrysalids is a top-notch piece of sci-fi that should be enjoyed for generations yet to come'' - The Ottawa CitizenNuclear war has transformed life on Earth. Genetic mutation has become a fact of life and religious fundamentalism has taken hold of society. Deviation from what is ''normal'' is punished unforgivingly.David Strom and his cousin Rosalind are mutants. As they grow up, it becomes harder to conceal their differences from their parents and their community. At the same time, David discovers that he possesses extraordinary powers - and the ability to change the world for the better. Soon he will have to choose between admitting his mutation to the intolerant village elders, or venturing out into the terrifying Badlands...John Wyndham''s disturbing dystopia is a heart-wrenching tale of xenophobia and bigotry in a world ravaged by war. Powerful and profound, The Chrysalids is a masterpiece of science fiction and its insights remain as relevant today as when it was first published
£9.49
Flame Tree Publishing Imperium in Imperio
Book SynopsisWritten in 1899, Grigg's moving, terrifying book describes the Jim Crow era life of a black man inhabiting a living dystopia. Belton Piedmont is from a poor background, he works hard to become educated but is subjected to the full range of discrimination and racism as he grows older. At the point where he has lost all hope he is introduced to the notion of a shadow state, 'Imperium in Imperio', a utopia where black people are treated equally and attempt to bring their values into the heart of government in Texas, altering his life forever. Grigg's unflinching narrative explores nationalism, civil disobedience, voter suppression, poverty and education, all still familiar themes today. FLAME TREE 451: From mystery to crime, supernatural to horror and myth, fantasy and science fiction, Flame Tree 451 offers a healthy diet of werewolves and robots, mad scientists, secret worlds, lost civilizations and escapist fantasies. Discover a storehouse of tales, ancient and modern gathered specifically for the reader of the fantastic. The Foundations titles also explore the roots of modern fiction and brings together neglected works which deserve a wider readership as part of a series of classic, essential books.
£8.09
Flame Tree Publishing The Citadel of Fear
Book SynopsisDiscovering a lost city in the Mexican jungle, two adventurers embark on a terrifying journey. Disturbing ancient gods and nightmare creatures, they find a hidden civilization of Aztecs and bring dark magic into the modern world. With a potent cocktail of romance, revenge and swampish evil this book is one of the earliest examples of fantasy and remains an enthralling read. Gertrude Barrows Bennett, writing as Francis Stevens, is often regarded as the founder of dark fantasy and was admired by H.P. Lovecraft amongst many, with some ranking her alongside Mary Shelley in impact and imaginative power. Flame Tree 451 presents a new series, The Foundations of Feminist Fiction. The early 1900s saw a quiet revolution in literature dominated by male adventure heroes. Both men and women moved beyond the norms of the male gaze to write from a different gender perspective, sometimes with female protagonists, but also expressing the universal freedom to write on any subject whatsoever. Each book features a brand new biography and a new glossary of Literary, Gothic and Victorian terms.
£10.99
