Well, 'The Sheep Look Up' by John Brunner is an Australian - related science fiction work. It's a powerful look at environmental degradation. Also, Greg Egan has written some great Aussie sci - fi like 'Diaspora'. His books often deal with mind - bending concepts such as digital consciousness. Then there's 'Slights' by Kaaron Warren that delves into the darker aspects of the human psyche in a somewhat otherworldly setting.
Well, Australian science fiction often has a strong focus on environmental themes. Given Australia's vulnerability to climate change and its unique ecosystems, many Australian sci - fi works explore the consequences of environmental degradation or the search for solutions. Also, the isolation of Australia can be a factor. It might lead to stories about being cut off from the rest of the world in some post - apocalyptic or alien - invasion scenarios.
One notable Australian character in science fiction could be Max Rockatansky from the 'Mad Max' series. He is a tough, resourceful survivor in a post - apocalyptic Australian setting. His character represents the tenacity and adaptability often associated with Australians in harsh conditions.
There's Ripley from the 'Alien' series. Sigourney Weaver's character has some Australian - like qualities of being tough and self - sufficient. She is constantly facing extremely dangerous situations in space and has to rely on her own wits and strength to survive.
For beginners, 'Astropolis' by Sean Williams could be a good start. The series builds an exciting future world that is easy to picture. It also has characters that are relatable in many ways. Additionally, 'The Sheep Look Up' by John Brunner, while dealing with serious topics like environmental issues, is written in a way that new readers can understand and get immersed in the story.
One of the top Australian fiction books is 'Schindler's Ark' by Thomas Keneally. It's a fictionalized account of Oskar Schindler's real - life efforts to save Jews during the Holocaust, though it's also very much an Australian work as Keneally is Australian. 'Looking for Alibrandi' by Melina Marchetta is also popular. It's a coming - of - age story that deals with an Italian - Australian teenager's search for her identity. And then there's 'The Slap' by Christos Tsiolkas, which is a controversial book that looks at the consequences of a man slapping a child who is not his own at a barbecue.
One of the best Australian fiction books in 2018 could be 'The Life to Come' by Michelle de Kretser. It delved into complex relationships and the immigrant experience in Australia in a really engaging way.
In Australian science fiction, 'leviathan' could hold various significance. It might be a symbol of a powerful, uncontrollable force, perhaps a gigantic creature representing the unknown and menacing elements in the science - fictional world. For example, it could be a menacing alien entity or a result of some scientific experiment gone wrong that has created this huge, unmanageable thing.
One of the top Australian literary agents in science fiction is probably Text Publishing. They have a great eye for unique science - fiction stories. They are known for nurturing new talent in this genre.
The challenges in collecting Australian science fiction are numerous. For one, there may not be a unified database or catalogue that lists all Australian science fiction works. This makes it difficult to know exactly what's out there. Additionally, the market for Australian science fiction may be smaller compared to more mainstream science fiction from other countries. Publishers might not invest as much in promoting or re - printing older works. And finally, the language barrier can play a role too. While most Australian science fiction is in English, there could be some works in Aboriginal languages or regional dialects that are overlooked during the collection process.