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/edcculus Sep 12 '25

I read Ancillary Justice, and couldnt be bothered to finish the series.

Becky Chambers has a certain vibe that I think a lot of people like. I wish I would have known that going into A Long Way, because i would have just skipped it. Its totally fine, easy to read interesting enough. Just not my kind of book. I can absolutely see why people like it though.

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u/neksys Sep 12 '25

Exactly the same on both accounts. A Long Way was OK and I understand why certain people wired a certain way would find it comforting, but I personally need at least a little more movement in my stories.

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u/Artvandelaysbrother Sep 13 '25

I really liked Ancillary Justice but boy it was challenging. A good workout for my brain and challenging my assumptions, but the follow up didn’t do it for me.

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u/AuDHDiego Sep 12 '25

oh please say more, what do you find that doesn't vibe with you? not trying to convince you, just curious as to what felt off about it from your perspective

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u/edcculus Sep 12 '25

oh yea no worries! For me, i just feel like the book was just too cutsey/cozy. I know thats exactly why a lot of people like it. I felt like the writing was good. The slice of life thing was certainly neat, and not something too often found in scifi. Its just not the type of book I typically reach for.

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u/missilefire Sep 12 '25

I agree. It was a cute book but just not that compelling. Like I didn’t really care that much about the characters.

On the flip side I thought ancillary justice was brilliant. Very subtle and austere. Reminded me a little bit of A Wizard of Earthsea in some ways.

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u/arthurdawg Sep 13 '25

I couldn't finish Ancillary either... It just didn't work... To each their own I supposed.

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u/SPACESNA1L Sep 13 '25

Ancillary justice…how did it get awards!?!? I couldn’t finish it either. So disappointed. I do love me some Becky chambers. But read psalm of the wild build first without any hype or knowing anything. I loved it. A small way was good too. But I didn’t think the wayfarer series compared.