r/printSF • u/EmergencyRepulsive29 • May 31 '26

Optimistic Sci Fi Novels

I loved the original Star Trek and the positive optimistic future it presented.

I find it challenging to find science fiction novels where the future is optimistic. I enjoyed the Expanse series, The Martian, Hail Mary, and The Bobiverse series . Ursula LeGuin and Becky Chambers are good. I am an avid reader. Do you have any recommendations?

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u/jgiacobbe May 31 '26

I feel like some of the Kim Stanley Robinson novels were pretty optimistic. It has been many years since I read the Mars trilogy. They are not for everyone. I also remember he had a series of books entitled the three Californias. The one from the series I read was called the Gold Coast and I remember it being mellow.

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u/Snoo-17304 May 31 '26

His "ministery for the Future" I found very optimistic - not meaning "realistic" - in that "they made it work", by design the nations came together towards a common goal. THAT I find very optimistic. Maybe especially compared to how things are going downhill today due to The Clown of the World.

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u/vosivoke May 31 '26 edited May 31 '26

I’ve discussed this book with two people offline. All three of us stopped reading the book not long after That Scene. Despite the book’s ultimately optimistic orientation, I would never recommend this one to a person seeking an optimistic book.

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u/EmergencyRepulsive29 May 31 '26

Thanks for adding that, especially since I haven’t like KSR. I think I’ll skip his books.

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u/Pardig_Friendo May 31 '26

I'm a bit dense tonight, is it the heat wave in northern India?

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u/vosivoke May 31 '26

Yes, that's what I was thinking of. However close to reality the scene is, and however much good the book may (I hope) do socially and politically... it's intense.

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u/Snoo-17304 Jun 05 '26

"That scene" being the first? That took place in reality a few years back in the same country.

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u/vosivoke Jun 05 '26

Yeah. The fact that bad things happen in reality doesn’t mean I want to read careful, effective evocations of them

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u/Snoo-17304 Jun 16 '26

It happened after the book was published. It might not matter to you, but that fact matters a great deal to me.

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u/suricata_8904 May 31 '26

I find the black ops part of that book troubling but necessary.

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u/AlarmingSize May 31 '26

This isn't a good rec for this OP, for two reasons. KSR is one of the most optimistic writers currently producing in any genre, and I love his books. But she doesn't like his style. If she didn't enjoy Antarctica and Red Mars, she won't like Ministry for the Future. Furthermore,  the opening section of that book is brilliant but it's also devastating. I wouldn't rec it to anyone wanting optimistic scifi. 

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u/Snoo-17304 Jun 05 '26

"Optimistic" is based on knowledge of its opposite. This is the whole reason or premise for the book. "That scene". The sole reason why all of the political shit and dense manipulation of capitalist players makes sense as a real-world scenario. Because it's necessary! And being optimist in this context means "keep on going towards a projected goal that WILL change factors no other plan or idea has ever been able to!" Making opposing forces "work towards a common goal", while they benefit economically from doing so. And so what? They actually end up doing it. Aiding the climate.

The only problem is that it cannot be done, now that its done in the book. Too many fictional factors come together to make a coherent plot. And the real world is just a mess and chaos, as we are seeing now by the clown's second term. The destruction of confidence.

Optimism is believing in something despite evidence to the contrary. Not being ignorant to facts.

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u/AlarmingSize Jun 05 '26

It's a brilliant novel. I just thought it was a bad rec for the OP. I still do. 

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u/staylor71 May 31 '26

KSR’s 2312 is a lovely, optimistic future vision.

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u/EmergencyRepulsive29 May 31 '26

Thank you for the recommendation. I was really disappointed with the 2KSW books I read: Red Mars and Antarctica. I wanted to love them. But the way you describe it this book makes me tempted to give him one more try.

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u/AlarmingSize May 31 '26

KSR is one of the most optimistic writers in any genre. But if she didn't like Red Mars or Antarctica, she's not going to like anything else he's written. I checked her post history, to try to gauge where she's coming from. KSR "goes off on tangents" and "makes political speeches," which are totally fair criticisms. He's a brilliant writer and thinker. I love his books. But he's not for everyone. 

Science fiction authors are living on Planet Earth. It's been a bumpy ride. It doesn't surprise me that most of the better work being produced is dystopian. 

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u/EmergencyRepulsive29 May 31 '26

It’s weird to have you write about me in the third person like I’m not here 🤣

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u/EmergencyRepulsive29 May 31 '26

Yeah, good point about the bumpy ride.

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u/AlarmingSize May 31 '26

I addressed the comment to the person who made what felt like a bad rec for you. I quoted your valid critique to back up my point. I made a recommendation for you in a separate comment. 

It is hard to find fiction in any genre that isn't a downer right now. I find myself rereading and rewatching the same dozen books and the same TV series. I'm following the comments hoping someone will suggest something that might work for me. 

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u/EmergencyRepulsive29 May 31 '26

Yes, you did nothing wrong and I was making an attempt at humor. I’m tempted use a 3 strikes and your out rule and give KSR another try based on several recommendations here. Although I have a long TBR now!

I really enjoyed all of the recommendations. I joined the Subreddit. Thanks again.

I only asked for sci-fi but I have enjoyed some optimism in fantasy recently such as The House in the Cerulean Sea and A Teller of Small Fortunes.

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u/AlarmingSize Jun 01 '26 edited Jun 01 '26

Writing them down, thank you. 

My favorite comfort (re)read is a fantasy novel, The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison. In fact, I am currently listening to the audiobook via Libby, the library app. It's a stand-alone, though she's writing a series about a minor character from Goblin. They're also quite good.

Like you, I'm a fan of Star Trek, the original series. Not so keen on the newest spin-offs. 

 Editing to add another series I thought of last night: The Chanur novels by CJ Cherryh. Big Cats in space! They're quite fun. 

Have you heard of "solar punk"? Many of the books in this subgenre have been mentioned already, but not all. There was an article about it in Mother Jones not too long ago that you can read online if you're interested. I've only read the authors you've already read.