S2E8: Techno-Thrillers – A Reader's History of Science Fiction
Techno-thrillers are a surprisingly fuzzy category that sits at the border of sci-fi and suspense. In this episode, I give an overview of the subgenre and the different ways it can be classified. Book recommendation: Delta-v by Daniel Suarez Sam Boush on the categories of techno-thrillers. My review of Delta-v. Other books discussed: The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton The Hunt for Red October by Tom Clancy Digital Fortress by Dan Brown
Hard sci-fi stories about the exploration of our solar system became more popular beginning in the 1990s. In this episode, we explore how these ideas rose to prominence and have developed over the years.
Book recommendation: The Martian by Andy Weir.
The Mundane Manifesto by Geoff Ryman et al.
Kim Stanley Robinson on the Mars Trilogy.
Other works mentioned:
The Mars Trilogy by Kim Stanley Robinson
The Grand Tour Series by Ben Bova
The Expanse by James S. A. Corey
Artemis by Andy Weir
Gravity
Interstellar
Ad Astra
Science Meets Fiction 