15+ Classic Science Fiction Short Stories You Need To Read
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Many of the best-known science fiction stories are truly epic in scale. Space operas like Frank Herbert’s Dune, Isaac Asimov’s Foundation series, and Ian M. Banks’ Culture series, for example, all stretch across multiple hefty volumes. As such, beginning your journey with one of these can be quite a daunting prospect.
However, you don’t have to jump in right at the deep end. Along with many more approachable sci-fi novels and novellas, most sci-fi authors have also written numerous excellent science fiction short stories. In this article, we will delve into some classic sci-fi short stories, offering the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the colourful and imaginative wonders of science fiction.
Lovers of sci-fi may also like The 25 Best Space Opera Books Ever Written.
15+ Classic Sci-Fi Short Stories (And Where To Read Them)
1. The Egg by Andy Weir
Andy Weir best known for his book, The Martian, adapted into the Hollywood blockbuster takes a philosophical stance in this story. The Egg is the tale of humanity and human history. It centres on the principle that we are all one and part of the same inimitable universe. It is structured as a simple conversation. But the ideas it explores or anything but simple. By the end, its twists and turns render you silent and mute as you contemplate the consequences of the ideas.
2. Exhalation by Ted Chang
This story follows an alien scientist investigating a curious incident which quickly escalates to have far-reaching consequences. It explores the theme of our destruction and overuse of natural resources whilst making the reader introspect long after you finish reading.
3. Smear by Brian Evans
Smear is a mixture of horror and thriller all wrapped up under the science fiction umbrella. After a passenger awakes on a long journey from suspension the passenger is unable to move with the ship's AI faltering and unhelpful. Ted Chang builds suspense as you realise that something is very wrong and there is no escape.
4. How to Get Back to the Forest by Sofia Samatar
This story starts out as a typical summer camp story. However, Sofia Samatar slowly sows the seeds of doubt in the reader's mind and you can't help but think that everything isn't quite right.
This story is set in the future where children go camping to forget their parents. One of the girls claims that there is a bug that's been put inside them to regulate their feelings and control them. The story twists and weaves into a brilliant exposition of dystopia.
5. Sunset In The East by Ben Luxon
‘Sunset in the East’ is a collection of eight mind-bending sci-fi short stories. featuring distant futures, bizarre aliens, AI and automatons this compelling collection of thought-provoking science fiction short stories by Ben Luxon are perfect for sci-fi enthusiasts and fans of Black Mirror.
“Eight dark, funny and thought-provoking short sci-fi stories, each a fresh take on the absurdity of humanity.”
-Tim, Amazon Review
6. Homesick by Sarah Gailey
Homesick is a story that explores the end of the world scenario with humanity being forced to leave the earth. This story, though, doesn't leave it there. Instead, it asks the question what if someone were desperate to get back home. It's a sad, heartbreaking story that puts humanity in front of a mirror and asks whether we will be victims of ourselves forever.
7. The Effluent Engine by NK Jemisin
The Effluent Engine is one for steampunk fans. It's a twisting steampunk spy adventure story about Haitian independence. The story follows Jessaline who seeks a partnership with Norbert Rillieux. However, things don't work out as planned, and when Jessaline meets Norbert’s sister Eugenie, sparks fly between the ambitious woman.
Lovers of sci-fi may also like The Best Sci-Fi Books by Ursula K Le Guin
8. The Game of Smash and Recovery by Kelly Link
The Game of Smash and Recovery is a story for people who love that creepy, unnerving kind of sci-fi that puts you on the edge of your seat and then keeps you there. In this story, she weaves a weird game of hide and seek set on an alien planet between two siblings.
9. The Paper Menagerie by Ken Liu
The Paper Menagerie may be somewhat closer to fantasy than science fiction, but It's such a beautiful story that makes it onto one list anyway. Here we find a mother trying to adapt to life in America. Her young son is slowly growing away from her with the new input of cultural and language differences. The story is filled with love and compassion.
10. The Cartographer Wasps and the Anarchist Bees by E. Lily Yu
This work of speculative science fiction draws an incredible analogy that is almost human. In it, the wasp's control over their bee colony is anything but straightforward.
11. 13 Ways of Destroying a Painting by Amber Sparks
13 Ways of Destroying a Painting is a glorious exploration of time travel. In it, an artist's muse tries over and over to prevent a tragedy by travelling back in time and attempting to destroy a painting. The time traveller does succeed, but their success carries unintended consequences
12. Blood Child by Octavia Butler
Blood Child is a deeply unsettling story about codependent relationships and their distinct distortions of power. It's about a boy and his family who are living on a planet of insect-like creatures called the Tlic. On this planet, humans act as hosts for the insect-like creature's offspring. It's a reworking of the traditional invasion story and we'll leave you thinking long after you put it down.
13. Hallucination by Isaac Asimov
One of the fathers of modern science fiction, Isaac Asimov spins an incredible tale of a futuristic society where life and work are dictated by a central computer. Set on a distant planet it explores what alien life could be like and how it might react to the threat of human colonisation. As with a lot of Asimov's speculative fiction, this story grips and fascinates exploring novel ideas that have you rushing to the end to find out what happens next.
14. A Little Journey by Ray Bradbury
A Little Journey by Ray Bradbury explores the power of memory and the ways in which it shapes our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. The story follows an old man who takes a journey back in time to relive the moments of his youth. However, as he travels through his memories, he realizes that the past is not always what it seems. It is a powerful reminder of the importance of embracing the present moment and appreciating the beauty of our current experiences.
15. A Spaceship Named McGuire by Randall Garrett
A Spaceship Named McGuire by Randall Garrett showcases the power of human ingenuity and collaboration. The story follows a group of engineers tasked with designing an AI spaceship. Through their struggle to create new technology, we see the importance of collaboration and perseverance in the face of challenges.
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