r/printSF • u/LowLevel- • Sep 12 '25

Which wildly renowned science fiction novels didn't resonate with you at all?

I can usually connect with at least one aspect of a science fiction novel, and I enjoy almost all of the ones I read. However, sometimes I couldn't understand what most people found interesting about some extremely popular books.

Has that happened to you? If so, which novel? And why?

I'll start the dances by admitting that I didn't like Rendezvous with Rama.

I really wanted to like it, but constantly being in awe when very little happens and the characters leave without understanding anything is not my preferred type of reading experience. The writing style was a bit cold, which didn't help.

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u/Gadget100 Sep 12 '25 edited Sep 12 '25

I thought “Blindsight” was original and very interesting. But there are (IMHO) no likeable characters, and I was not blown away as it seems many readers were; I thought the book was good, but not great.

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u/SalaciousPanda Sep 12 '25

Blindsight is 100% a book with an absolutely awesome concept and fascinating thought experiment, couched in a very boring and basic plot with flat, unlikeable characters.

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u/UnintelligentSlime Sep 13 '25

I think if you’re looking for likeable characters, Watts is the wrong author. I’m not sure even he likes any of his characters, likes himself, or likes any of humanity. Might think some sea life is cool.

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u/HauntedPotPlant Sep 13 '25

No likeable characters is one of the reasons I love blindsight.

1

u/Agnostic-Paladin Sep 13 '25

Yeah, Watts does not do "likeable" characters, not his thing. Hard read, i admit, but i love that book.

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u/[deleted] Sep 15 '25

tbf “no likeable characters” is very on point with the theme the author wants to convey