What are some underrated 1970s science fiction books?

One underrated science fiction book is 'The Stars My Destination' by Alfred Bester. It has a unique take on teleportation and a gritty, noir - like future setting. Another is 'Hyperion' by Dan Simmons. It weaves together multiple storylines in a complex and engaging way, exploring themes of time, religion, and artificial intelligence. Also, 'Flow My Tears, the Policeman Said' by Philip K. Dick. It presents a dystopian future full of political and social unrest.

A really underrated science fiction and fantasy book is 'Lilith's Brood' by Octavia Butler. It's a trilogy that explores human evolution and alien - human relations in a very unique way. Another one is 'Perdido Street Station' by China Miéville. It's a dark and complex fantasy set in a steampunk - like world filled with all kinds of strange creatures and magic. And 'The Left Hand of Darkness' by Ursula K. Le Guin is also somewhat underrated. It delves deep into themes of gender and politics in a science fiction context.

A rather underrated science fiction teen book is 'The Giver' by Lois Lowry. It presents a seemingly utopian society where everything is controlled, and a young boy named Jonas starts to question the world around him when he becomes the Receiver of Memory. It's thought - provoking and makes you consider the value of emotions and individuality.

One underrated science fiction book is 'The Left Hand of Darkness' by Ursula K. Le Guin. It explores gender and cultural differences in a unique way. Another is 'Flow My Tears, the Policeman Said' by Philip K. Dick. It has a really strange and interesting plot set in a future society. And 'The Stars My Destination' by Alfred Bester is also great. It has a very distinct style and is full of adventure.

A somewhat underrated science fiction book is 'Hyperion' by Dan Simmons. It has a complex narrative structure, with different characters' stories intertwining. The world - building is excellent, and it delves into deep philosophical and religious themes within a science - fiction setting.

In fantasy, 'The Name of the Wind' by Patrick Rothfuss is somewhat underrated. It has a great story about a young man's journey to become a powerful wizard. The world - building is detailed and the characters are engaging. For science fiction, 'Snow Crash' by Neal Stephenson is underrated. It combines elements of cyberpunk, with a virtual reality world called the Metaverse. Another underrated fantasy book is 'Uprooted' by Naomi Novik. It has a unique take on the fantasy genre with a dark forest and a wizard - like figure.

I'm not sure if 'ohnotheydidnt' has mentioned it, but 'Snow Crash' by Neal Stephenson is an underrated gem. It has a really cool blend of cyberpunk and ancient Sumerian mythology. It's full of action and interesting ideas about virtual reality and society.

I think 'The Stars My Destination' by Alfred Bester is an underrated gem. It has a unique take on teleportation and a very gritty, noir - like protagonist. Another one is 'Flow My Tears, the Policeman Said' by Philip K. Dick. It's set in a future with some really strange social structures.

There are several reasons for science fiction novels to be underrated. Sometimes, the cover art or the title doesn't attract readers. A dull or unappealing cover can make a potentially great book be passed over. For example, some older science fiction novels with cheesy or uninformative covers might not get the attention they deserve. Also, if a novel doesn't fit neatly into an established sub - genre category, it can be overlooked. A book that combines elements of cyberpunk and space opera in a unique way might not have an obvious audience. Moreover, if the author is not well - known or part of a big - name literary clique, their work might not get promoted as much. This was the case for many indie - published science fiction novels in the past, which often had great ideas but little exposure.

Some underrated historical fiction books are 'The Birth of Venus' by Sarah Dunant. It's set in Renaissance Florence and follows the story of a young girl coming of age in a time of great artistic and social change. 'Wolf Hall' by Hilary Mantel is also underrated. It offers a unique perspective on the court of Henry VIII. And don't forget 'A Place of Greater Safety' by Hilary Mantel as well, which focuses on the French Revolution.