The Non-Fiction of Science Fiction

The novel is set in a dystopian England where cloning technology allows for the mass production of organ donors. The story is narrated by Kathy, a clone who works as a 'carer' for other donors. Kathy reflects on her upbringing at Hailsham, a boarding school for clones, and her relationships with her friends Ruth and Tommy. As the narrative unfolds, it reveals the grim reality of the clones' existence: they are raised to donate their organs until they 'complete' (die). The book explores themes of identity, humanity, and the moral implications of scientific advancements, raising questions about the treatment of the vulnerable and the nature of human existence.

2001: A Space Odyssey is a seminal science fiction novel by Arthur C. Clarke, developed in collaboration with Stanley Kubrick's film version. The story spans millions of years, from the influence of aliens on early human ancestors to a mission to Saturn, exploring themes of technological advancement, human evolution, and existential questions about humanity's place in the universe.

The Ministry for the Future is a novel by Kim Stanley Robinson that delves into the urgent issue of climate change. Set in the near future, the story follows the establishment of a UN agency, the Ministry for the Future, whose mission is to advocate for the rights of future generations. The novel is told through multiple perspectives, including those of Mary Murphy, the head of the Ministry, and Frank May, an American aid worker who survives a devastating heat wave in India. The book explores various innovative solutions to climate change, such as the introduction of a new currency called 'carboni' to incentivize decarbonization, and it presents a hopeful yet realistic vision of how humanity might cooperate to mitigate the effects of climate change. The narrative includes a mix of fictional eyewitness accounts, non-fiction descriptions, and diverse writing styles, reflecting the complexity and urgency of the climate crisis.

The Martian Chronicles is a seminal work by Ray Bradbury that tells the story of humanity’s repeated attempts to colonize Mars. The book is a fix-up of several short stories that collectively narrate the history of Earthmen’s interactions with Mars, from the initial expeditions to the eventual settlement and the consequences that follow. It explores themes of human ambition, societal changes, and the clash between human and Martian cultures. The stories are set against the backdrop of Earth’s decline and Mars’s transformation into a new home for humanity, highlighting the complexities and moral dilemmas of colonization and the search for a new beginning.

This book tells the story of Aimen Dean, a young Muslim who initially joined al-Qaeda but later became an MI6 spy. It recounts his experiences from the killing fields of Bosnia to the training camps of Afghanistan, and from running operations in Britain to dodging barrel bombs in Syria. The narrative provides a unique insight into the global jihad and the efforts to combat it.