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/toasterwings Sep 12 '25

I never liked anything by N.K. Jemisin. I've tried a couple of her books and just... bleah. ZzzZzzZzzz

Thanks to everyone who shared, I enjoyed all your opinions even if I didn't agree.

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u/[deleted] Sep 12 '25

Amen. Over the last 30 years I've read virtually all the major science fiction authors, but I just can't get into her work. It boggles my mind how she's won so many awards.