HISTORICAL AND SCIENCE FICTION NOVELS


 HISTORICAL AND SCIENCE FICTION: 

Generally speaking, science fiction is set in the far or near future, whereas historical fiction is set in, well, history. Though some science fiction books and stories are set in the past, most of them contain some kind of time travel.

Stories in historical fiction are set in well-defined, primarily true historical eras that may or may not be historically accurate, depending on the author's whims and research skills.A couple of examples that come to mind are Lindsay Davis’ Marcus Didius Falco books, a detective series set in ancient Rome, or Barbara Hambly’s Benjamin January series, which takes place in mid-nineteenth century New Orleans and environs.

Science fiction asks ‘what if’ questions, based on current or near future technology, or imagined far future tech, and solves problems with science, or at least with hand-wavium, imaginary science.You're aware. Computer chips in your brain, encounters with extraterrestrial life, and dilithium crystals.Self-sustaining generation ships that get lost on their way to colonize other planets, post scarcity economies, humans still being human despite all their technological advances.

Science fiction is about telling stories with science at the root of the problem and solution. Historical fiction is about playing in history.Both work best when the author has done their research, and can tell a good yarn with well developed characters.

I'm rereading 1633 by Eric Flint right now, which may be classified as a hybrid of science fiction and historical fiction. If you're not acquainted with the series, it centers on a little village from West Virginia that gets transported back in time to what would eventually become Germany, lock, stock, and barrel.Not quite science fiction because there is never any research done into how or why the town travels into the past once it does. Consequently, historical function. However, as soon as they get there, the Americans begin rewriting history. So perhaps not. But it's still enjoyable to read.


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