Abridged Science Fiction Novels

Once upon a time, humankind had time to read many stories with many pages and many words.

Then the Internet happened and life as we knew it changed. Now, who has time for books upon books—as evidenced by our ever-bulging TBR lists?

Wouldn’t it be grand to know the core of a story after a brief skim? So you can return to the land of bliss, also known as Facebook (admit it, it’s true). 😛

Well then… *grin and drumroll*

Introducing abridged novels round two. This time, we explore the grand worlds, vast expanses, and mind-blowing tech of the sci-fi realm.

Abridged Science Fiction Novels

ENDER’S GAME

Play computers games. Just kidding—you’re actually fighting off an alien invasion and now you’re famous.

THE HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY

The answer is always forty-two. Because reasons.

DUNE

Anyone up for riding around the desert on giant worms? And let’s not forget the spice is everything, the be-all and end-all of the universe. Seriously, a spice!?

FAHRENHEIT 451

Fire! Fire! Fire!

A WRINKLE IN TIME

Must save Dad from the creepy distant planet with the equally creepy name of Camazotz. IT is the problem (and no, that doesn’t stand for information technology).

1984

Everyone’s watching you.

THE TIME MACHINE

Man, the future sucks.

OUT OF THE SILENT PLANET

When a Brit goes to Mars. And then comes home.

PERELANDRA

The Garden of Eden on Venus. There’s a nasty creature, but hurrah for the English doctor who helps everything turn out in the end. Gotta love those Brits.

THAT HIDEOUS STRENGTH

Merlin and the problems from the Tower of Babel invade an English college. Features a head…connected to tubes and things…that people pretty much worship. Also, the planets are actually physical beings—WUT.

I, ROBOT

The robots know better than we do. So let’s fight them and prove them wrong.

THE HUNGER GAMES

So it’s actually not about being hungry. It’s about kids dying. And mooshy-gooshy, lovey-dovey stuff. Because teenage romance.

THE WAR OF THE WORLDS

The aliens are coming! The aliens are coming!

What would your abridged versions of science fiction novels include? I’d love to hear your thoughts here or on social media.

28 thoughts on “Abridged Science Fiction Novels

  1. Starship Troopers:
    KILL THE NON-HUMAN SCUM…or die trying.

    The Foundation Trilogy:
    Galactic civilization is about to totally collapse for a long time. JUST KIDDING! ER, no we aren’t! Er, well, sort of–throw in psychic powers!

    The Martian Chronicles.
    Humans came to Mars and killed the Martians off by accident. Decided Mars wasn’t worth it and all left.

    The War of the Worlds.
    Martians came to Earth and killed humans on purpose, but forgot to get their travel vaccinations.

  2. 🙂 these are fantastic.

    The only one I can think of to add is Isaac Asimov’s Foundation series: “We must do everything we can to save all the knowledge in the universe so humans can thrive. PSYCH! Just kidding, let’s all just commune with nature and give up our individuality and need for knowledge at all.”

    1. Thanks, Jenelle. 🙂

      Not very familiar with Foundatin (gasp, shock, horror), but it sounds like quite the story. 😮

      1. I really liked “Prelude to Foundation”… but the rest were kinda “meh,” and got increasingly depressing. I didn’t read the last one… but got the abridged explanation from my husband who did read it and decided I wasn’t interested.

        1. Gotcha. I know the series is a classic, so maybe if I ever have time (hahaha) I’ll read it to see what I think.

  3. The Invisible Man

    A guy drinks an potion, becomes invisible, and turns into a bit of a psychopath. (This is the worst book to read in bed, especially if you live in a creaky house.)😁

  4. OML the one for Ender’s Game is perfect!
    I just finished reading I, Robot and this is so accurate!
    Great writing!

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