1970s and 80s sci fi novels

Definitely 'Neuromancer'. It was like a wake - up call for the sci - fi world. Its ideas about cyberspace and the future of technology influenced so many other works. 'Ender's Game' too. It changed the way people thought about young protagonists in sci - fi and the ethics of war in a sci - fi context.

1980s sci fi novels had a huge impact on modern sci fi. For example, the cyberpunk genre that was really developed in the 1980s, like in 'Neuromancer', has influenced modern works with its focus on technology, dystopian futures, and the blurring of lines between man and machine. The ideas about space exploration and colonization in novels like 'Ender's Game' have also seeped into modern sci fi, inspiring new generations of writers to explore these concepts further.

One characteristic was the exploration of post - cold - war anxieties. With the end of the Cold War, sci - fi novels in the 90's started to look at new threats and opportunities. There was a sense of both hope and fear. Hope for new scientific discoveries and fear of how these could be misused. They also tended to have more complex female characters compared to earlier decades, reflecting the changing gender roles in society at that time.

Some excellent 80s - 90s sci - fi novels include 'A Fire Upon the Deep' by Vernor Vinge. It features a universe with different zones of intelligence and an epic story of survival and discovery. 'The Terminal Experiment' by Robert J. Sawyer is another good one. It delves into the implications of artificial intelligence and consciousness. 'Red Mars' by Kim Stanley Robinson is a landmark novel that details the terraforming of Mars and the political and social struggles that come with it.

Isaac Asimov's 'Foundation' series is also from that era. It's about a galactic empire and the science of psychohistory predicting the future of civilization. It's a very thought - provoking series that delves into large - scale sociopolitical ideas.

Some great 1980s sci fi novels include 'Hyperion' by Dan Simmons. It has a complex and richly - detailed story set in a far - flung future. 'Foundation and Earth' by Isaac Asimov is also from this era. Asimov's Foundation series is a classic in the sci fi world, and this installment continues the epic story of a galactic - scale civilization. Then there's 'Snow Crash' by Neal Stephenson. It's a wild ride through a near - future world filled with virtual reality and corporate intrigue.

One popular 1950s sci - fi novel is 'Fahrenheit 451' by Ray Bradbury. It depicts a future society where books are banned and burned. Another is 'The Day the Earth Stood Still' which tells the story of an alien's visit to Earth with a warning for humanity. 'I, Robot' by Isaac Asimov is also well - known. It introduced the Three Laws of Robotics which had a huge impact on the sci - fi genre.

Well, 'Stranger in a Strange Land' by Robert A. Heinlein is a significant 1970's sci fi novel. It tells the story of a human raised on Mars who comes back to Earth and has a very different view of human society. Then there's 'Gateway' by Frederik Pohl. It's about a space station near an alien artifact where people can take risky trips through wormholes for potential rewards. Also, 'The Mote in God's Eye' by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle is a great read. It involves first contact with an alien species.

I'm not sure about their popularity. They might have a niche following.

A popular 1970s sci fi novel is 'Stranger in a Strange Land' by Robert A. Heinlein. It tells the story of a human raised by Martians and his experiences when he comes back to Earth. Then there's 'Gateway' by Frederik Pohl. It's about a space station near an asteroid full of alien - made spacecrafts that humans can use to explore, but with a great deal of risk. 'Childhood's End' by Arthur C. Clarke is also from this era. It depicts the arrival of an alien race that brings about the end of human childhood as a species in a very thought - provoking way.