The “educational topic” is not important, I just really enjoy stories with detailed descriptions of how and why things are done. I don’t care that much what the story is about or who the characters are or what the setting is. I barely even care how good it is, to be honest. If a book gave you the impression that the story was written as a vehicle to carry what the author was *really* interested in, it’s probably what I’m looking for!
I have some examples in case I’m being too vague:
1. *The Martian* and *Project Hail Mary* by Andy Weir – botany, microbiology, space travel, and clever experimentation in general (especially under limiting circumstances, like being totally isolated)
2. Earth’s Children series (starting with *Clan of the Cave Bear*) by Jean Auel – the making and use of tools, baskets, clothing, food, etc in paleolithic Eurasia (CW: childhood rape)
3. Kingsbridge series (starting with *Pillars of the Earth*) by Ken Follet – masonry, architecture, the making and dying of wool cloth, everyday life in England from the 12th century to the 16th century (CW: rape)
Please include a warning if your suggestion contains sexual assault – it’s not always a deal-breaker for me but I don’t want to be surprised by it.
by ovarit_not_reddit
7 Comments
{{Contact by Carl Sagan}}
{{The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah}}
The book thief – set during hitlers reign
White Tears by Hari Kunzru,
It’s about a couple of white characters who are obsessed with African American blues music and sound technology
There is a rape, if I remember correctly it doesn’t happen inside the narrative but characters react to it.
Edit My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potock
Neal Stephenson is your guy for this. I especially love Seveneves (like a much, much longer version of an Andy Weir book, set mostly aboard a space station) and the Baroque Cycle (an historical fiction trilogy about, among lots and lots of other things, the development of calculus and the modern banking system. His writing is really pleasant when he just gets into a groove discussing something that interests him.
As I recall the Baroque Cycle includes some attempted sexual assault/violence against women, but nothing graphic or lingered upon. But it’s been several years.
“Hild” by Nicola Griffith is about a Saxon princess. It contains TONS of information on agriculture, weaving, food storage, hedge construction, spinning, the list goes on. Having said that, it’s good to keep in mind that the author was inventing cultural practices and political events.
A politically powerful character has sex with an enslaved person, which is a power dynamic where consent is kind of impossible. It is not depicted as sexual assault within the book.
Almost anything by Richard Powers
*The Agony and the Ecstasy: A Biographical Novel of Michelangelo* by Irving Stone