More like Five Complete Novels

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Learning the WorldNovel
Ken MacLeodstandalone novel2005
Hard science fiction, about space exploration, set in spaceship.
“On the fringes, less modified humans get on with the job of settling a universe that has, so far, been empty of intelligent life.”
from the catalogue
EmbassytownNovel
China Miévillestandalone novel2011
Mysterious in tone, about identity and political intrigue.
“In the far future, humans have colonized a distant planet, home to the enigmatic Ariekei, sentient beings famed for a language unique in the universe, one that only a few altered human ambassadors can speak.”
from the catalogue
CoDominiumUniverse
universe98 books1971
Military science fiction.
“The body of work runs along a few hard threads rather than one line.”
from the catalogue
Start with The Mote in God's Eye →
includes Moties, War World, Falkenberg's Legion, Laurie Jo Hansen
Remnant PopulationNovel
Elizabeth Moonstandalone novel1996
About survival and loneliness.
“People had always told Ofelia what to do; for once she was going to do what she wanted.”
from the catalogue
HelliconiaSeries
series4 books1982
completed
About ecological collapse.
Start with Helliconia Spring →
Stranger in a Strange LandNovel
Robert A. Heinleinstandalone novel1961
About faith and religion and psychic powers, set in north america and near future.