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What makes a book, especially a science fiction book, polarizing? Controversy is certainly one way to define a polarizing book. In the current political climate, so many people are trying to ban books, which keeps controversial books in the public conversation.
For me, the core of what makes a science fiction book polarizing is the love/hate relationship people have with it. When people have dramatically opposing views on a book, that’s pretty polarizing. In a genre like science fiction, which is so often full of social commentary, the list of polarizing books is pretty long.
Of course, there are many classics on this list. Science fiction has been pushing boundaries and asking big questions since Mary Shelley’s novels. Frankenstein first launched the genre. Some of these books are banned to almost the same extent and are taught in classrooms. Others on this list are newer and polarize science fiction books because of the debate they spark in online circles.
Love them or hate them, all of these polarizing science fiction books are excellent and worth reading. What better way to join in the conversation than to read them and fully understand what everyone is talking about?
Polarizing science fiction classics
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
This classic of dystopian science fiction is about a world where people have virtually no freedom. But they don’t realize it. They are fed drugs to keep them complacent, open, and sexually hedonistic, and to keep them from thinking deeply. I read the book in high school, but many kids are denied that because of book bans. In fact, it has been banned around the world since it was published in 1932.
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Is there a book that more clearly illustrates the dangers of censorship? In this classic, firefighters don’t put out fires. No. They burn books. This book is particularly insidious in its polarization. Nobody wants to ban a book about book bans, so the wording of the bans usually revolved around violence and adult themes. In reality, however, the book banners don’t want a book about them.
Dhalgren by Samuel R. Delany
Dhalgren is a top-notch science fiction novel that spans over 800 pages of insane science fiction. It’s not a book that will be banned, but it inevitably leads to deep discussions about reality, perception, reason, and America. The reviews on Goodreads seem to either call it genius or the most boring and overly long book they’ve ever written. Everyone who reads this book seems to come to a different conclusion: the hallmark of a great and polarizing science fiction book.
The Giver by Lois Lowry
This little book is another classic of dystopian fiction, set in a world where emotions are erased to keep people “happy” and complacent. The main controversy here is the target audience: middle school readers. Many parents have a problem with the themes covered in The Giverand addresses violence, sexuality, infanticide, suicide and euthanasia.
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
More dystopian fiction? That’s a theme here, isn’t it? Now even more famous through the popular TV series, The Handmaid’s Tale is a terrifying vision of patriarchy and religion out of control. Considering we live in a world where this is a reality in some countries and a threat in others, it has been a polarizing science fiction novel since its release. PEN America listed it as one of the most banned books last year, and Margaret Atwood herself has become quite polarizing.
Kindred by Octavia E. Butler
This brilliant classic shouldn’t be polarizing. A black woman is suddenly transported from the present day to the pre-Civil War American South. She goes back and forth in this speculative novel that examines American slavery like no other book before it. Unfortunately, racism is still very much alive in America and around the world, leading to book bans and controversy surrounding this important book. Notably, the book is one of the most banned in American prisons.
Current polarizing science fiction
Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie
This first book by Leckie Imperial Wheel The trilogy seems, at first glance, to be just another great space opera. Artificial intelligence, consciousness hopping through space, and cool action scenes abound. However, Leckie’s decision to reduce all pronouns to they/them has sparked controversy with people who think that pronouns are… evil? I guess so? You don’t have to look far through online reviews to find several people complaining about the pronouns in this book.
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
My inclusion of Iron Widow is actually less about the book itself (though it has its detractors) and more about the recent Hugo Award controversy. Zhao, an outspoken critic of China and advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community, was mysteriously disqualified. Although the truth eventually came out, the controversy drew even more attention and critics to the mix of historical fiction and science fiction full of giant mechs.
Light from Unusual Stars by Ryka Aoki
A transgender teen who is a violin genius becomes a student of a master who made a pact with a demon. That teacher also falls in love with an alien who runs a doughnut shop. It’s wild and beautiful, a little ridiculous, and so queer that OF COURSE it will make bigots angry. The queerer a book is, the louder the bigots scream. They are very loud when it comes to this book. I’m not going to put links to the many anti-LGBTQIA+ reviews I found. Let them scream: I’m just going to read this brilliant book again.
What are your favorite polarizing science fiction books? I’m especially interested in new reads. Need more polarizing books? We’ve got polarizing fantasy recommendations for you.
