Definitely 'The Stainless Steel Rat' series by Harry Harrison. The main character, Slippery Jim diGriz, is a con - man in a science - fiction universe, and his adventures are filled with humor and clever twists. 'A Fire upon the Deep' by Vernor Vinge also has some humorous aspects, particularly in its portrayal of different alien species and their cultures. And 'Hyperion' by Dan Simmons has moments of dark humor among its complex and epic story, like the tales told by the different pilgrims on their journey.
Well, 'The Sellout' by Paul Beatty is also a great choice. It's a satirical and humorous look at race relations in America. Beatty uses a lot of irony and dark humor to make his points, and the absurd situations in the book will surely make you laugh while also making you think about some serious issues.
One of the best humorous fiction books is 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' by Douglas Adams. It's full of absurd and hilarious situations, like the concept of the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything being 42. The characters are also very funny, especially the hapless Arthur Dent.
Humorous science - fiction books often play with science - fiction tropes in a comical way. Take 'Redshirts' for instance. It takes the common trope of the expendable crew member in science - fiction shows and turns it into a hilarious story. Also, the language used can be very witty and full of puns, like in 'Good Omens' where the dialogue between the characters is filled with clever wordplay. And they can have a satirical edge, poking fun at things like bureaucracy or society even in a science - fiction setting.
Well, 'Catch - 22' by Joseph Heller is a classic humorous fiction. The very concept of 'Catch - 22' in the book is both absurd and comical, making it a satirical masterpiece. Also, 'A Confederacy of Dunces' by John Kennedy Toole. The main character, Ignatius J. Reilly, is a larger - than - life, extremely eccentric figure whose misadventures are highly entertaining. And don't forget 'Three Men in a Boat' by Jerome K. Jerome. It tells the story of three friends on a boating trip, with lots of comical mishaps along the way.
Good humorous science - fiction books often have absurd or unexpected plot elements. For example, in 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy', the idea of the Earth being a computer designed to find the ultimate question is completely out - of - the - blue and very funny. They also tend to have witty characters. In 'Redshirts', the characters' self - awareness of their situation in a typical science - fiction trope is humorous. Another characteristic is the use of satire. 'Good Omens' satirizes the idea of the apocalypse and religious dogma in a very humorous way.
Well, I'd recommend 'The Stainless Steel Rat' series. The first book in particular is a great introduction to humorous science fiction. The main character's schemes and his ability to get out of trouble in humorous ways are really engaging. 'A Fire upon the Deep' can also be good for those new to the genre. While it has some complex elements, the humorous parts about the different alien species can be easily understood and enjoyed. And 'Hyperion' has some parts that are very accessible to beginners, especially the more humorous anecdotes told by the pilgrims on their journey.
One of the best selling humorous fiction books is 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' by Douglas Adams. It's full of absurd situations and witty dialogue that has made it a classic.
Douglas Adams is definitely one of the best. His 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' is filled with absurd humor. The way he creates strange alien species and out - of - this - world situations is hilarious. Another great one is Terry Pratchett. His Discworld series is a masterclass in humorous fantasy, with satirical takes on society, politics, and human nature. And of course, we can't forget Mark Twain. His works like 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer' and 'Adventures of Huckleberry Finn' have a timeless humor that comes from his sharp observations of people and their quirks.
Some of the great science fiction books from 2017 could include 'The Collapsing Empire' by John Scalzi. It has an interesting concept of an interstellar empire on the verge of collapse. Another might be 'Artemis' by Andy Weir, which takes place on a lunar colony and has a great story about a woman trying to make her mark in a unique environment.
Well, 'The Terraformers' by Annalee Newitz is among the top. It explores themes of environmentalism, colonialism, and what it means to shape a planet. It's a really engaging read with interesting characters. And then there's 'Light from Uncommon Stars' by Ryka Aoki. This book combines science fiction elements with music and a touch of the supernatural, creating a very distinct and captivating story.