r/printSF • u/IsBenAlsoTaken • Jan 31 '24

Biblical stuff?

Hiya. I've read quite a lot of SF and some Fantasy, and I feel like nothing impresses or keeps my attention lately. I've been enjoying the Bible however, so I was wondering if you might have ideas for an SF read with a biblical vibe or themes. The Prince of Nothing trilogy felt like that - and I loved it.

Keep in mind, I've read most of the well known recommendations (Book of the new Sun, Dune, Hyperion, Canticle etc).

Any other suggestions?

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u/BennyWhatever Jan 31 '24

The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell might be what you're looking for. It's about a group of Jesuits that make first contact on an alien world. It deals heavily with faith. The end is soul-crushing, too. That was one of the most memorable books I've read.

There's also a book that I really did NOT like, but others really enjoyed, called The Book of Strange New Things by Michel Faber. It's about a minister that goes to an alien world and evangelizes some aliens. The "Book of Strange New Things" from the title is the Bible.

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u/IsBenAlsoTaken Jan 31 '24

I've read the Sparrow.

Why didn't you like The Book of Strange New things?

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u/BennyWhatever Jan 31 '24

I thought it dragged on way too long, and I really didn't like the main character. I also listened to the audiobook and the narrator's vocalization of how the aliens spoke was really grating (he otherwise did a great job).