about

Note: This list was begun in april 2009. I re-post it from time to time so that you can leave comments
in order to make your own suggestions. Otherwise, comment threads on wrdnrd.net close within a month.

When i realized that i was beyond cranky about the quality of discussions of class at WisCon, i decided to start making a list of speculative literature that actually addresses class in some way or another.  This is (to the best of my ability) an annotated list, so you’ll find comments about why a work has been suggested as well as a note (i.e., the italicized information in parentheses) of who suggested it.  Please note that i can’t vouch for every single book on this list — so many books, so little time!

general recommendations

China Miéville has compiled a list of Fifty Fantasy & Science Fiction Works that Socialists Should Read. Maybe not *quite* what you’re looking for *g* but there may be some there to add to your list. (from carenejeans)

novels

Burndive. Lowachee, Karin. (New York: Aspect, 2003.)

Use[s] changing class as part of the plot. (affreca)

Finity’s End. Cherryh, C.J. (New York: Warner, 1997.)

Use[s] changing class as part of the plot. (affreca)

The Kappa Child.  Goto, Hiromi.  (Calgary: Red Deer Press, 2001.)

I really loved The Kappa Child because it’s one of the few times i saw the rural working class / poor depicted in a way that was … real.  (Chris Wrdnrd)

Tales of Neveryon. Delany, Samuel R. (New York: Bantam, 1979.)

Has quite a bit to say about slavery vs court life, powerlessness and power…  (carenejeans)

Slow River. Griffith, Nicola. (New York: Ballantine, 1995.)

(deifire)

series

Gormenghast. Peake, Mervyn.

Was Steerpike challenging the class structure, or was he just “the poster boy for amoral social climbers”? (Chris Wrdnrd & Phredd)

Disc World. Pratchett, Terry.

Terry Pratchett certainly addresses class a LOT in his books. The trajectory of Sam Vimes from drunk to Duke is fascinating (and of course, funny), and pointed observations about class are always, always present in Pratchett’s books. (carenejeans)

Miles Vorkosigan Adventures. Bujold, Lois McMaster.

It’s true she focuses on the upper classes, but she doesn’t ignore the lower ones — for instance, “At the Mountains of Mourning.” (carenejeans)

“Cat” novels. Vinge, Joan.

I can’t think of many sf/f books that deal with class by examining one class. However, quite a few use changing class as part of the plot. The first ones that come to my mind are Joan Vinge’s Cat books, especially in Cat’s Paw. Cat is both limited in his choices by his upbringing, and able to take different paths. (affreca)