With Christmas around the corner, finding gifts for people who have everything can be hard. This book list of comedy Sci Fi (science fiction) will appeal to anyone with a sense of humor. Even for non-readers, good comedy novels are hard to go past. Add in some sci fi and you have a hilarious opportunity.
Whether you like puns (see Xanth series) or more high tech wizardry; these funny sci fi books will have you rolling in the aisles. Generally light and entertaining they are ideal for relaxing before bed, over breakfast or even the middle of Christmas lunch.
Start a tradition of fun gifts at Christmas and enjoy a good laugh with comedy sci fi novels.
10 All Time Best Sci Fi Comedy novels
1. The Ultimate Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy – Douglas Adams
It would not be too much of an exaggeration to say that Adams’ Sci-Fi comedy classic is the holy grail of the genre. Written with delightful humor, wit and sarcasm, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is filled with social commentary and philosophical musings, wonderfully dressed up in the guise of entertaining Sci-Fi. It is a book where you will want to read it more than once, with each re-reading bringing to light some new philosophical insight about life. It can certainly be a wonderful pick-me-up book when you are having a bad day and looking for a few doses of laughter. If in doubt, the answer is always 42.
2. The Stainless Steel Rate – Harry Harrison
If you appreciate the lighthearted, albeit somewhat cheesy, retro pulp fiction styled adventure stories, Harrison’s book will be an entertaining read for you. The Stainless Steel Rat follows the space adventures of the title character as he pursues a stolen battleship. What makes the book fun is that it does not take itself too seriously. Plus, the futuristic world it is set in has enough vagueness to accommodate readers’ imaginations and prevents the book from being outdated.
3. The Flying Sorcerers – Larry Niven & David Gerrold
Judging by the title, one has to wonder how much of The Flying Sorcerers can be taken seriously. Well, the book was never intended to be taken seriously at all. The story is basically about a technologically advanced traveler visiting a primitive world, told from the primative’s perspective. The comedy element lies in the authors’ hilarious treatment of Clark’s Three Laws, making it suitable for some fun light reading that won’t leave you wondering if there is any deeper meaning behind its humor.
4. The Sirens of Titan – Kurt Vonnegut
If you do not mind a Sci Fi that does not take its science seriously, you may enjoy Vonnegut’s novel for its satirical value. Fans of hard Sci Fi may argue that The Sirens of Titan has some scientific inaccuracies and plot holes, but if one overlooks those details, this is a brilliant work with underlying philosophical message that is easily relatable for anyone. Simply put, this is a serious work of satire, made readable in a highly enjoyable manner within a Sci-Fi context.
5. Smallworld – Dominic Green
For readers who are tired of stale sci-fi epics and want to be swept into an unusual world, Smallworld could be the book to take you there. This is a collection of episodic short stories that make up a larger story. Set in a world made up of tiny planetoids, the book starts off rather bland, but the intrigue builds up with each subsequent chapter. Stick with it and you will not want to put it down.
See Books 6-10 here soon.
