European Science Fiction

 Notable Science Fiction Novels by European Country (1940–2025)
Below is a curated list, made by AI, of prominent science fiction novels from European countries, organized by country. The list focuses on influential or critically acclaimed works, drawing from sources like Wikipedia, literary reviews, and science fiction databases. Due to the vast number of novels, I’ll highlight a selection of key works per country, prioritizing those with significant cultural or literary impact. Countries with limited science fiction output may have fewer entries. This list is not perfect as it was created by AI.

United Kingdom

The UK has a robust science fiction tradition, with authors like George Orwell and Arthur C. Clarke shaping the genre globally.
- 1984 by George Orwell (1949): A seminal dystopian novel about totalitarianism.
- The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham (1951): A post-apocalyptic tale of carnivorous plants and human survival.
- The Drowned World by J.G. Ballard (1962): A climate fiction novel about a flooded Earth.
- The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin (1969, though Le Guin is American, she published significantly in the UK): Explores gender and politics on an alien planet.
- The City & The City by China Miéville (2009): A blend of science fiction, fantasy, and noir set in two overlapping cities.
- Roadside Picnic by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky (1972, often associated with UK translations): A Russian novel translated and influential in the UK.

Russia (and USSR, pre-1991)

Russian science fiction, particularly during the Soviet era, was prolific, often blending utopian and dystopian themes.
- We by Yevgeny Zamyatin (1920, but influential post-1940 in translations): A dystopian precursor to 1984 (USSR).
- Aelita by Alexei Tolstoy (1923, republished and influential post-1940): A story of a Martian revolution (USSR).
- Roadside Picnic by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky (1972): A philosophical tale of alien “Zones” (USSR).
- The Andromeda Nebula by Ivan Yefremov (1957): A utopian vision of a communist future (USSR).
- Metro 2033 by Dmitry Glukhovsky (2002): A post-apocalyptic novel set in Moscow’s metro (Russia, post-1991).
- The Slynx by Tatyana Tolstaya (2000): A surreal post-apocalyptic satire (Russia).

Poland

Poland has a strong science fiction tradition, led by figures like Stanislaw Lem.
- Solaris by Stanislaw Lem (1961): A philosophical novel about an sentient planet.
- The Futurological Congress by Stanislaw Lem (1971): A satirical take on futuristic societies.
- His Master’s Voice by Stanislaw Lem (1968): Explores human-alien communication.
- Wiedźmin (The Witcher) series by Andrzej Sapkowski (1990s, though more fantasy, often categorized with sci-fi): A fantasy-sci-fi blend influential in Eastern Europe.

France

France, home to Jules Verne’s legacy, continued producing speculative fiction.
- Planet of the Apes by Pierre Boulle (1963): A satirical novel about human-animal role reversal.
- The Ice People by Georges-J. Jean (1968): A speculative tale of a frozen civilization.
- The Immortals by René Barjavel (1973): Explores immortality and its societal impacts.
- Les Thanatonautes by Bernard Werber (1994): A metaphysical sci-fi novel about exploring death.

Germany

German science fiction often reflects philosophical and technological themes.
- The Carpet Makers by Andreas Eschbach (1995): A complex tale of interstellar societies.
- Perry Rhodan series by various authors (1961–present): A long-running space opera series, one of the most prolific in the world.
- Momo by Michael Ende (1973, often fantasy but with sci-fi elements): A critique of time and modernity.

Italy

Italy’s science fiction output is smaller compared to other genres like literary fiction or historical novels.
- The Late Mattia Pascal by Luigi Pirandello (1904, but influential in post-1940 sci-fi discussions): Not pure sci-fi but speculative in tone.
- Cosmo by Dino Buzzati (1965): A collection with sci-fi elements, exploring existential themes.
- Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino (1972, speculative fiction): A blend of fantasy and sci-fi, imagining fantastical cities.
- The Silent City by Antonio Bellomi (1970s, less known internationally): A dystopian novel.

Spain

Spain has a growing science fiction scene, often tied to Latin American influences.
- Mundos en el abismo by Juan Miguel Aguilera and Javier Redal (1988): A space opera exploring cosmic civilizations.
- Mecanoscrito del segundo origen by Manuel de Pedrolo (1974, Catalonia): A post-apocalyptic novel.
- Lágrimas de luz by Rafael Marín Trechera (1986): A space opera with poetic elements.
- Expediente Hermes by Juan Miguel Aguilera (2024): A futuristic murder mystery set on a space cruise.

Other European Countries

- Czechoslovakia (pre-1993) / Czech Republic: R.U.R. by Karel Čapek (1920, but influential post-1940) introduced the term “robot”; War with the Newts (1936, republished post-1940) is a satirical sci-fi classic.
- Sweden: Aniara by Harry Martinson (1956): A poetic sci-fi epic about a lost spaceship.
- Netherlands: The Vanishing by Tim Krabbé (1984, speculative elements): A psychological thriller with sci-fi undertones.
- Ukraine (post-1991): Vita Nostra by Marina and Sergey Dyachenko (2007): A metaphysical sci-fi novel about a magical school.
- Serbia (post-Yugoslavia): The Bridge on the Drina by Ivo Andrić (1945, speculative elements): Not pure sci-fi but influential in speculative Balkan literature.
- Hungary: The Martian Chronicles by Tibor Déry (1960s, lesser-known): A speculative work blending sci-fi and social critique.