Best New Wave Sci-Fi Books

If you’ve never heard of the New Wave genre, then you’re certainly missing out on tons of amazing novels written by underrated sci-fi authors who adore the genre. And in the world of science fiction, all I can say is that New Wave surely makes the genre much more creative.

New Wave is basically a literary movement against the Golden Age that occurred in the 1960s up until the mid 1980s. It’s a form of literature that many people refused to read because of how disturbing it can be. However, writers of the genre write for both the literary and experimental form of science fiction, but with more creativity, and softer science. Certain New Wave writers even mocked traditional science fiction, and with this, New Wave became a huge controversy in the community during the time. But in current days, it’s a massive hit amongst readers. Check out a few New Wave sci-fi books to lure you into one of the best genres ever.

While it was written in the early 60s, Planet of the Apes became a huge success in science fiction and followed with films, sequels, and a television series. The novel is based on three astronauts who landed on a planet similar to Earth in multiple aspects. From vibrant, green forests to breathable air, they noticed another shocking discovery — apes rule the planet.

In this action-packed novel filled with terrifying events, suspense, and satire, will any of the astronauts unravel the truth behind this horrible civilization? And, will they safely get back to Earth? Read the thrilling book to find out.

Among the most interesting New Wave sci-fi books to read right now, The Crystal World will keep you up at night. J. G. Ballard is one of the greatest writers in the New Wave genre, and his writing is so luring and captivating, that you can't just read only one of his novels.

The Crystal World revolves around a physician who specializes in treating leprosy and is requested to treat the disease in Africa. In the midst of finding his way around roadblocks, he follows the river and enters a journey that he’s never planned on taking before — through a terrifying forest. But not just a forest, a forest that’s constantly expanding and impacting the environments.

A mythical world that’s separated by a huge pillar placed in the center of the vast, mysterious Deep. And within the world, Protectors own the land and are always in fights with the Just, who only want to return the land to the Folk.

While the Protectors separated amongst themselves, between the Reds and the Blacks, the two are just as opposed to each other as the Protectors are opposed to the Just. However, they all discover a Visitor from the sky who doesn’t possess a name, sex, and aims to discover even himself. And, it's in the palms of the Visitor's hands to take the journey into the Deep.

Here is another amazing novel by Ballard that's a great choice among New Wave sci-fi books to read. The Unlimited Dream Company is about a young pilot who crashes a light aircraft into the Thames at Shepperton and surfaces, seeming to come back from the dead. And, the suburb has completely changed just within hours.

From vultures invading rooftops to local inhabitants powered by the young man’s visions, through ecstatic sexual celebrations toward an apocalyptic climax, Ballard’s novel shows readers his amazing, but horrifying, imagination.

Philip K. Dick is also an astonishing New Wave writer who creates great stories to engage in. For one of the more well-known New Wave sci-fi books, The Crack in Space is a book that shouldn't be ignored. If you want to get into the New Wave genre, this book should be among the first few you read.

The novel is based on a repairman who accidentally discovers a parallel universe. However, people are taking advantage of the new discovery by using it to ease Earth’s overcrowding and create personal kingdoms for themselves. But once they notice that there’s already a civilization living in the parallel universe, people are on the hunt to discover their motives. Will the people from the parallel universe want to team up with Earth’s humans or are they planning something far more diabolical?

Ever heard of the novel Dune? One of Frank Herbert's best books? Make it one of your favorite New Wave choices! Through adventure, politics, mystery, and thrill, Dune has even won the Nebula Award and shared the Hugo Award. In addition, there's sci-fi movies influenced by Dune — all the more to read it!

The setting is in a desert on the planet Arrakis, where Paul Atreides will become the mysterious man known as Muad’Dib. He aims to avenge the backstabbing plot against his family and intends on bringing fulfillment to humankind’s most ancient dream.

Babel-17 is seen to be one of the greatest New Wave sci-fi books and among the best soft sci-fi books to read when you have the chance. This Nebula and Hugo Award-winning novel can change the way you see science fiction... forever.

It’s a story about a famous poet whose motive is to translate a secret, powerful language that is seen as the key to the enemy’s deadly force. Humanity is in war with the Invaders, who have been sabotaging spaceships and assassinating officials. The only clues they have are the odd alien messages in space. And, she must travel with an absurd crew to the site of the next alien threat and understand their language in order to defeat them.

One of the more trippy, but very interesting novels among New Wave sci-fi books, is Chester Anderson's Butterfly Kid. Not only was this novel nominated for a Hugo Award for Best Novel in 1968, but it's a New Wave book that people still talk about to this day.

The book is about a character that the author has named after himself, and the supporting character is named after his roommate during the time, who get into a new type of drug. And the suppliers? Aliens. Aliens are supplying human a new type of drug called “Reality Pills,” that makes LSD hallucinations become physically real. I highly suggest you read this book, because not only is it super interesting, but this novel will really make you think.

If you think the previous New Wave book sounded bizarre, wait until you hear about this one. While it's one of the most fascinating New Wave sci-fi books, The Ship Who Sang is a great read if you're on the hunt for an unusual story.

The story is about Helva, who was born a human but now has a titanium body. However, now she must choose a human partner to journey with her through thrilling adventures in space. I know what you're thinking, strange, right? That's what makes New Wave novels the best!

Lastly on the list of New Wave sci-fi books to get right into is Dhalgren by Samuel R. Delany. As a winner of the Gaylactic Spectrum Award Hall of Fame, Dhalgren is one of the bestselling sci-fi novels out there and has done nothing but astonish readers with the tale it tells.

The book is about a city called Bellona that’s located in the center of the United States. Populations that once filled the city have vanished and only criminals roam the streets. When odd behavior occurrs in the cloud-covered sky, a young man who goes by Kid is seen as a poet, lover, and adventurer, arrives in the dead city. And it’s Kid’s duty to tackle questions regarding race, gender, and sexuality.