Best Selling Science Fiction Book : They Loved in 2075
Writing science fiction is one thing and being read by genuine readers is quite another. But for the science fiction authors, this comes with an added responsibility of tuning in with the yet to be, reality of the future, with the IQ and believable perceptions of every reader alike. The success of any science fiction is largely contingent on the cognisance of this fact. Any leniency or lack of regard to this subjective essence of a true science fiction is what makes it the best selling science fiction or leaves its fate hanging between two poles, where it oscillates between two possibilities:
1- Never read
2- Nowhere ever read
And when that happens, a sci-fi novel can never attain the appeal of a best selling science fiction.
So, what makes a science fiction novel a successful science fiction that is widely read and appreciated with a readership that keeps growing at a constant rate?
Science fiction novels like : Dune, The Martian, The Time Machine and many other sci-fi novels, have successfully managed to captivate human imagination and leap forth into the league of science fiction bestsellers. Where the author's delight lies in the fact that the readers endorsed his/her idea of reality that is yet to be. And when this synchronization happens at a level where the reader first comes to comprehend, and then gradually develops an unbiased affinity towards the author’s vision and scientific common sense, it is then that the science fiction author gains an intellectual autonomy over the mental landscape of the readers of this genre.
Then with his/her professional finesse the best selling science fiction writer manages to communicate the entire background of the story via the opening line or simply by developing a complex and highly intriguing opening line that throws the reader's curiosity in all directions, bound to an infinite array of possibilities. And this “infinite array of possibilities gives rise to a loop of curiosity, that if left unanswered, the reader would have sleepless nights. When an author is able to do this, the fate of his/her science fiction novel is certain- An unstoppable, scintillatingly written and highly captivating, best selling science fiction.
The best and most famous opening lines in science fiction:
- The War of the Worlds
By Mr. H. G. Wells
“No one would have believed in the last years of the nineteenth century that this world was being watched keenly and closely by intelligences greater than man's and yet as mortal as his own; that as men busied themselves about their various concerns they were scrutinised and studied, perhaps almost as narrowly as a man with a microscope might scrutinise the transient creatures that swarm and multiply in a drop of water.”
- Fahrenheit 451
By Mr. Ray Bradbury
“It was a pleasure to burn.”
- The Fifth Season
By Mr. N.K. Jemisin
“Let’s start with the end of the world, why don’t we? Get it over with and move on to more interesting things.”
- They loved in 2075
By Javid Ahmad Tak
“Year 2075. Human lives are changing fast with only two constants: gravity and time. The blue hue of the sky has disappeared completely. There is no sign of human beings on the streets, and on the unending maze of asphalt covered highways. The air is filled with a sort of strangeness, unrecognizable to majority of the world population today. But very obvious to the KASHMIRIS- The community of men and women in hiding, who still bear the memory of the past Earth. Where people used to be free, the air was fresh and the blue sky could be seen clearly.”
As a reader what strikes your mind the moment you read these opening lines?
Let me talk about myself and how I felt when I read these famous opening lines from science fiction novels.
These opening lines have one thing very common in them. They are contradictory to normal belief and they almost instantly, the moment you interact with these famous opening lines, transport you into a mental frame where you are forced to contemplate several possibilities while forcing you to passively weigh the logical credibility of these claims against the total quotient of your knowledge index. And the logical freshness explodes as bubbles of curiosity on every thinking neuron in your brain. ( 100 billion neurons and 10× more glial cells ) When that happens you are offered no choice by the author of the science fiction novel, but just one : To read further and tame these explosions of curiosity that seemingly have laid an un-breachable siege around your prudence producing machine. At this juncture, when you treat your brain as the captive of this self replicating and enslaving curiosity, you surrender yourself as a reader and devote all your senses to find a satisfying answer to this curiosity that is now sprouting as a nursery of new thought and a fascinating scientific possibility leading you right into this future; where it syncs your mind and your entire knowledge with this possibility in future.
When you have mutated into this state as a reader, the seasoned science fiction author asserts one fact: Whatever the future may be like, human will, and knowledge cannot be tamed, it will always find a way to tame the future instead, and one day even make time obey Human pace of reality.
And I am equally amazed as a reader when many best selling science fictions refer to scientific inventions and discoveries that directly or indirectly hint at:
1- Bending the reality
2- Traveling in time capsules
3- Controlling human will and human thoughts
4- Evolving into an intergalactic species
5- Leading humans to Utopia that actually exists
6- Immortality
7- Developing nanotechnology devices that will challenge even the Titans
Let me consider this best opening line from the science fiction novel titled: Fahrenheit 451
Opening line from the science fiction novel : “It was a pleasure to burn.”
Hnmmmm. I too thought exactly like you.
“Really!
How is it possible to derive pleasure from burning or is it even possible? Maybe the science fiction writer was out of wits when he imagined something like this.”
The loop of curious imagination takes you on a roller coaster, where the actual stoppage is not arrived at when you are staying on the track, but when you dare to shift tracks and reach the right trajectory of thought that now sets you in line with the track defined by the science fiction author. And finally as you read through the pages of the novel, you arrive at the stoppage where you alight. Light headed and more informed, and you too believe what the wizard of scientific imagination believed in:
“It was a pleasure to burn.”
When I read it, this is where my imagination based on my knowledge and IQ took me, but the brilliant science fiction writer, Ray Bradbury takes the credit for exciting and turning these silently retired layers of knowledge and IQ into a fertile and active neural ground where every thought springs from the obscurity of mind to address this burning question:
“How can burning be a pleasure?” And with neurons firing from everywhere, my mind conceives few probabilities which lead me into the neighbourhood of plausible imagination that addresses the question and the curiosity alike.
Given below are a few of them:
1- What was this fire that Moses experienced? Why didn't it burn him? And this experience of Moses is highlighted in the old and new testament of the Holy Bible.
2- In winter if I touch a copper glass filled with piping hot turmeric milk, why do my fingers take time to feel the sensation of heat that feels like burning? Although the moments of contact with the glass are longer than when I touch the same glass with the same content in Summer, yet my skin does not feel irritated. While in summer it feels irritated instantly. Why?
I know. I know.
The answer, when based on scientific reasoning, is very obvious and clear.
But isn't it “primitive curiosity” that would have helped us solve this puzzle? And why are we forgetting the contributions of prehistoric humans to science.
Imagine, it is the first interaction of homo-sapiens with fire.
It is bright, dazzling, the prehistoric humans get attracted to it, the curiosity lures them towards it, nearer, nearer; and when they feel its warmth at some distance, most of them stop. But one of them, with extra neurons dedicated to his/her curiosity, gets too close and puts his/her finger in the fire. And instantly removes it when he/she feels the burning sensation.
He/she has actually done a favour to the rest of the clan and succeeding generations of humans. Including us as well. Because through him/her we all now know, fire is not something to place your finger in. It really burns and hurts as hell.
3- Many firefighters in the advanced countries and few brave volcano explorers, wear body suits that are fire and heat resistant. Perhaps the one who invented the fire and heat resistant material had read this line from the science fiction novel: “It was a pleasure to burn” that he/she dedicated his/her life to develop a material that could withstand intense heat and fire as well.
4- If we inspect Chinese legends and scriptures carefully they do refer to dragons that could produce and eat fire. Is it just a myth or is it possible? I think it is plausible scientifically.
5- Even Hinduism refers to beings born of the Sun and whose ancestors hail from the clans of the Sun. Is it possible?
6- Islam refers to the world of the Jinns, beings made of fire and air.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jinn
But they possess great knowledge and powers that humans cannot fathom. Is it possible?
Many science fiction novels make me think and when I apply my common sense, I feel it is stupid to think that all beings in this universe should need water and oxygen if they have to survive. We think so, because that is all we know based on our knowledge that restricts us to Earth and the probes that we have been able to send into space. We are thinking only within the boundaries of the Milky Way. But aren't there millions of galaxies and wouldn't it be sensible to think that they would have a lifestyle and biological processes which are like humans in no way!
I can go on with more examples that force us to think about the actual message conveyed via the science fiction novel, where the author Mr. Ray Bradbury relates fire with pleasure.
What was he thinking, where were his thoughts leading him, and what scientific reasoning did he have to prove his point?
Once I have summoned my entire IQ I feel it is relevant to answer this curiosity. I am able to correctly and confidently achieve thought level tuning with the writer and based on my scientific knowledge I, in a conscious state of mind, examine every scientific reasoning offered by him to prove his point. As I am now coupled with the writer’s thought via my thoughts and knowledge on the topic, we enter into a state of silent debate, where each line in one of the best selling novels, Fahrenheit 451, debates with me intellectually, and the interest level is mounted further with every succeeding line, and the author’s exactitude and refinement of words and thoughts, is so unassumingly subtle, that I want Mr. Ray Bradbury to win in this debate, and I desperately want it so, because I want the logic, science and common sense to win eventually.
Because I am not a skeptic whose every debate begins with the famous argument, “ did the egg come first or the chicken?” and it ends with the same argument as well.
Alas, this is a question that would even find a genius like Einstein dumbfounded and force a philosopher like Socrates to tread in the philosophical darkness that stretches beyond the end of time.
So much for these skeptics and ignorant pessimists who think Sir Isaac Newton must be under the influence of weed, to think of something like gravity. But we all know who was right.
Don't we?
Having said that, any opening line that is able to achieve this level of curiosity and intrigue, is bound to make that science fiction novel the bestseller.
Although my all time favourite opening line would be this one:
I am an invisible man.
Mr. Ralph Ellison takes the crown for conceiving the best opening line ( That is according to me and my taste )
Now, given this blog post is dedicated to science fiction writers, I am taking the liberty of considering, "I am an invisible man" to be the opening line of H. G. Wells Scifi novel, The Invisible Man.
To avoid confusion, let me add some details that you would find very interesting, and if nothing, at least good to know information.
Whereas the novel titled : The Invisible Man, is written by Mr. H. G. Wells and it is a science fiction novel.
Haa haaa!
I know what you are thinking? Just like fire cannot be pleasure, how can someone become invisible?
Please Note : I am considering, "I am an invisible man" to be the opening line of Mr. H. G. Wells sci-fi novel, The Invisible Man.
But it is possible, afterall it is just about being able to manipulate or add a few extra stacks to the laws of physics responsible for making an object visible in presence of photons.
You do not believe me. I can make you believe me, only if you give me time and the resources I need. But it will be an ironic meeting then, I will be there, but you cannot see me. Because then I shall be the Invisible Man ( but with no nefarious intentions. Only good intentions aimed at spreading goodness ) , in whom late Mr. H. G. Wells believed.
But most of us read it as a science fiction concept and forgot about it after a few nights of sleep.
Luckily there should be a few sane dreamers who believed in it and they are working on it in the silent, unknown corner of the world, where they have just two neighbours and companions: wife or husband and the thought of the invisible man hanging on every wall, at the bend of every street, in the colour of every flower, ever star they gaze at during those vacant moments in night, in the eyes of the one they love so dearly. And finally the Invisible Man is so visible, that he gradually begins to give up the secret of dimensions of reality, reflection of light, interactions of photons, the nature of the object, responsible for making anything invisible.
We say God is omnipresent, but we never say He is VISIBLE. Do we?
Now please don't tell me that God doesn't exist? Because without God nothing can exist, the universe is filled with signs that hint at God’s existence. Even a small flower proves God’s existence. And please read the word carefully, “EXISTENCE” I am not saying presence. Because just like the Invisible Man, God is revealed only to those men and women who have the passion, that fire, that belief, that common sense, that the invisible is forced to become visible even when you look into the eyes of the one you love, or you look at the wall that stands there still and unmoved.
And it is this belief that a best selling science fiction should succeed in strengthening every Sci-fi reader. Who is curious and ready to believe whatever is weighed well on the scale of logic, mathematics and most important of all, common sense.
Now moving on to the next topic. What makes the best opening line suitable for the best selling novel and how important is the author’s role?
Best opening lines in science fiction novels
I read somewhere that few people are famous for being famous, whereas the people who are famous for their virtues and contributions, are famous to serve a greater purpose. That of inspiring a generation of new thoughts that rally like echoes into the future, with just one sound frequency, “if you dare to think with the application of common sense and scientific prudence, you will attain the power to be an invisible man/woman or create a reality that bends at your wish where time ceases to exist. Because it is your wish.”
But to acquire infinite power you need a receiving end that is equally infinite to receive so much and endless power. Everybody can't handle it, and given the weaknesses of the human mind, we certainly have not evolved enough to handle so much power. But few famous science fiction authors make you believe humans can be the masters of infinite power. It is so because of their writing style and their reputation as a science fiction writer that makes the reader believe in it.
Are there science fiction writers who possess this ability to make a reader believe in anything that is logically reasoned and mathematically plausible, though not proven yet?
Yes there are many. Let me name a few.
- Mr. H. G. Wells
- Mr. Jules Verne
- Mr. Robert Heinlein
- Mr. Arthur C. Clarke
- and Mr. Isaac Asimov
Are you reminded of a few lines and a few famous science fiction novels?
I was and I am sure you were too!
Whenever you read any science fiction novel from these famous science fiction writers, their authority as a writer, forces you to set sail in the ocean of their thoughts, and with absolute adeptness they trick you.
Do you know what that trick is?
I realised it after reading Dune. They let you set sail in their ocean of endless thoughts and scientific imagination, where you are in a boat, that is your mind, and the boat is steered in different directions via the thrust generated by rowing the oars in your left hand and the right hand.
It takes you a while to realise that the oar in one of your hands is actually being steered by the will of the science fiction author. By the time this realisation sets in, you are already in the middle of the ocean, and you are left with just one choice, to move on a trajectory that is a stright line as far as the thought being addressed in the mind is concerned. But the pattern of your trail is in a zig zag orientation.
Where, when your push of the oar was strong you steered in a desired direction, and then the author's thought overpowers you and via the oar controlled by his/her writing finesse, it pushes you in an opposite direction. His/her direction of thought. By the time you have arrived at the conclusion of the best science fiction novel, you drop the anchor.
And it is pure magic. Do you know why?
Because now your thoughts are a mix of writer's imagination, his/her knowledge fused with your imagination and your knowledge. And towards the end it makes you believe it was all your imagination. It is then that a famous science fiction author like Mr. H. G. Wells is born or an immensely gifted science fiction writer like Mr. Isaac Asimov, appears as the most brilliant star on the horizon of best selling science fiction novels; and thus is born that priceless and invaluable league of most famous science fiction writers of all times.
Their imagination and their contributions do not belong to one society, one country, one culture or one family, they belong to every dreamer, every brave person willing to think beyond the rusted and mundane scientific conventions where we are still trapped in the concepts of relativity, which is actually a sincere attempt from a genius like Mr. Albert Einstein, to dispel the mist of logics, phenomena, mathematical equations that govern this universe, keep it in place and in the shape that the real and benevolent Titans have wanted it to be.
And unless we create a generation of new dreamers who become the cause of new scientific renaissance we will be stuck on the Moon, where gravity is little lesser than Earth, so we move to Mars with less rocket powered propulsion required to achieve escape velocity. But in all attempts we are always moving within the Milky Way. That will be a sad way to express our intellectual gratitude towards geniuses like Mr. Albert Einstein, Sir Isaac Newton, Mr. Arya Bhata, because we have failed in imagining beyond e=mc2. And let us accept it, most of our grand scientific endeavours are based on the great ideas propagated by the older generation of scientific thinkers and brave dreamers.
It is perhaps time we inspire a new breed of dreamers and thinkers, who will help humanity to leap beyond the reality that was revealed by the Theory of Relativity. And who knows, that Singular Theory or Unified Theory of the universe that we have been chasing like a mirage in an infinitely yonder horizon. Would reveal itself to the dreamer, who believes in the Invisible Man.
And it is in this regard, famous and best selling science fiction writers have a greater responsibility to share; followed by the writers and authors who are yet to graduate as famous science fiction writers.
Now be honest and tell me what do you think of when you read this opening paragraph from the science fiction novel, They Loved in 2075?
Year 2075. Human lives are changing fast with only two constants: gravity and time. The blue hue of the sky has disappeared completely. There is no sign of human beings on the streets, and on the unending maze of asphalt covered highways. The air is filled with a sort of strangeness, unrecognizable to majority of the world population today. But very obvious to the KASHMIRIS- The community of men and women in hiding, who still bear the memory of the past Earth. Where people used to be free, the air was fresh and the blue sky could be seen clearly.
When I read this paragraph after having decided, almost after three days of tussle between my quest as a writer and a writer that wants to sell as well. I decided to retain this paragraph as the opening lines of my science fiction novel.
For the following reasons:
1- In 2023 we are challenged and plagued by Climate Change and Global warming
2- We are yet to regulate AI like powerful technologies because they have the potential of forcing emotional evolution among us as a species
And in light of these facts, when you interact with the opening paragraph of the sci-fi novel, They Loved in 2075, you are led to think about these topics.
I know. I know.
It applies only to those readers who believe in responsible reading and not judging a book by its cover. And I have every reason to believe that you are a responsible and sensitive reader.
But before you pass any judgment on the science fiction novel, They Loved in 2075, I would request you to please read the novel, They Loved in 2075, and trust me, you will be led on a journey of endless scientific wonder where curiosity and scientific imagination is limitless, yet you are never disavowed by reality i.e. global warming, depletion of ozone layer, deforestation and issues that matter to all of us as responsible inhabitants of planet Earth.
Moreover, the main story is teaming with highly emotional scenes where feelings like, love, empathy, fear come face to face with the reader, and force him/her to think: In 2075, will you marry a self aware machine that looks and emotes like a human being? Or would you choose to love and insist with courage and unwavering grit, to marry the one you love? Your human soulmate. What will your choice be because it shall define the fate of human feelings!
To come face to face with these aspects of reality that shall not be unreal in 2075, explore the science fiction novel, They Loved in 2075. Which may or may not have the attributes of a commercial bestseller in the science fiction genre, but I assure you, it is a best seller for every reader who reads with responsibility, and sensitivity that is expected of a human being who shall dare to love a human in 2075.
Reading the sci-fi novel They Loved in 2075, will be your first step towards securing the future of the forthcoming generation of our species in 2075. It is time that we evolve from mere readers to being brave readers; and science fiction writers too ought to emerge as brave writers who dare to ask questions that matter to all of us.
Here is your chance, don't miss it. It will make you feel like an Invisible Man/Woman who dodges every attempt of a photon particle to reveal his/her identity. On that note, let there be light and let it not burn, but illuminate human minds to explore new realms of reality waiting for us to be bent!
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