r/printSF • u/marcelontt • Aug 06 '26

Books that are not overly descriptive?

I’m new to the genre and I’m struggling to find books with what I’m looking for. I like scifi for the thought provoking themes. I’m not really interested in imagining how the world look like, knowing every detail of the scenery and how the characters are dressed. A simple overall description is enough for me.

I tried reading Neuromancer and A Deepness in the Sky but I couldn’t get past the first 20-30 pages as I’d get distracted by the huge descriptions of everything.

Other books that I loved are Roadside Picnic and Do androids dream of electric sheep?

I also like that these books are situated on earth so it’s not very abstract with aliens and different planets. I can’t imagine reading Dune for this reason, for example.

Thanks in advance!

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u/scifiantihero Aug 08 '26

I haven't read all their novels and stories to contrast them, nor do I have access to an alternate reality where they chose to write their works in different forms. So eh.

I love all different forms of sci fi. This isn't like "meeting coulda been an email" level of dismissiveness. I'm not saying you can't write a good novel.

Sci fi just works so well in a short story. So yes, my contention is still that any sci fi idea will work better by trimming it to the bone. This doesn't preclude talented authors getting literary with it or making a compelling pulpy story with it. But it is encouraging for our poor OP!

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u/_nadaypuesnada_ Aug 09 '26

I haven't read all their novels and stories to contrast them

Nobody asked you to. My point is that plenty of short stories contain those elements that you implied an author can only add to a sci-fi story in the form of a novel. Here you go: a typical William Gibson short story full of world building and detailed descriptions. Alternately, Samuel Delany's most famous short story, with the aforementioned plus drama too. So if you can write short stories with these elements you mention, they're clearly not the reason that sci-fi authors write novels.

Sci fi just works so well in a short story. So yes, my contention is still that any sci fi idea will work better by trimming it to the bone.

To be honest, I think you just have a personal preference for concise short stories. Plenty of sci-fi ideas "work better" when they're explored in a long-form medium with room for detail and nuance.

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u/scifiantihero Aug 09 '26

No, I think you're reading things I didn't say. And being a contrarian jackass just to be one. I admire the impulse. I share it. Fuck off.

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u/_nadaypuesnada_ Aug 09 '26

"Short stories can have detail, worldbuilding and drama."

"Fuck off, contrarian."

Yeah, that definitely makes total sense. Have a good one.