Many of the sci-fi blogs I read (IO9, Biology in Science Fiction, and SF Signal) mentioned NPR’s choice of their top 100 science fiction and fantasy books, and then asked for people to vote for their top 10.
What would your choice of the top 10 science fiction (or fantasy, if you prefer) novels be that touch on religion as a major element in the story? Feel free to let yourself be guided by NPR’s suggestions, or come up with ones they didn’t include in their top 100.
For me, I think my religion and sci-fi list would include the following:
Dan Simmons’ Hyperion Cantos series
Frank Herbert’s Dune series
Mary Doria Russell’s The Sparrow and Children of God
Ray Bradbury’s The Illustrated Man and/or The Martian Chronicles (his story “The Fire Balloons” was only in some editions of the latter)
Perhaps also Contact by Carl Sagan, for this particular category.
Then there are a great many that I would find it hard to choose between for the remaining slots.
What would be on your list?