On 16 December it will be 100 years since the birth of Arthur C Clarke. Clarke was a British science fiction writer, science writer, inventor, undersea explorer, and television series host.
The Arthur C Clarke Award is the most prestigious award for science fiction in Britain, and is given for the best science fiction novel first published in the United Kingdom during the previous year. The award was established with a generous grant given by Clarke and the first prize was awarded in 1987 to Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale.
To celebrate the centenary, we have chosen a selection of science fiction novels from the last two decades of the award.
Beyond our World
Here is our top pick from each shortlist over the last 21 years.
- Occupy Me – Tricia Sullivan (2017)
- The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet – Becky Chambers (2016)
- Memory of Water – Emmi Itäranta (2015)
- Nexus – Ramez Naam (2014)
- Intrusion – Ken MacLeod (2013)
- Embassytown – China Miéville (2012)
- Zoo City – Lauren Beukes (2011)
- Yellow Blue Tibia – Adam Roberts (2010)
- The Quiet War – Paul McAuley (2009)
- The Red Men – Matthew de Abaitua (2008)
- Oh Pure and Radiant Heart – Lydia Millet (2007)
- Never Let Me Go – Kazuo Ishiguro (2006)
- The Time Traveler’s Wife – Audrey Niffenegger (2005)
- Darwin’s Children – Greg Bear (2004)
- Kil’n People – David Brin (2003)
- Passage – Connie Willis (2002)
- Parable of the Talents – Octavia E Butler (2001)
- Silver Screen – Justina Robson (2000)
- The Extremes – Christopher Priest (1999)
- Titan – Stephen Baxter (1998)
- The Calcutta Chromosome – Amitav Ghosh (1997)
Click any title to find out more or leave a review.
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Have you read any of the books listed above? Share your thoughts with us on Twitter and Instagram using #ClarkeAward, or click on a title above to leave a review.
For more information, visit the Clarke Award website.