James Blish
James Blish was an American science fiction and fantasy writer. He is best known for his 'Cities in Flight' series and his series of 'Star Trek' novelizations. Blish also wrote under the pseudonym William Atheling Jr. His work contributed significantly to the genre, and he won a Hugo Award for his novel 'A Case of Conscience'.
Books
This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.
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1. The Day After Judgement
In this sequel to a modern take on the Faust legend, the narrative continues the tale of the ultimate confrontation between good and evil, as the forces of Hell have seemingly triumphed, spilling into the earthly realm. The protagonists, a poet and a black magician, find themselves amidst the chaos, navigating a world where the boundaries between the diabolical and the divine are blurred. As the characters grapple with the implications of a universe where the traditional understanding of God and Satan is turned on its head, the story explores themes of power, redemption, and the complexities of human nature in the face of cosmic upheaval.
The 3782nd Greatest Book of All Time -
2. Black Easter
In the novel, an arms dealer hires a black magician to unleash the forces of evil for a single night, resulting in a catastrophic unleashing of demons upon the world. As the fabric of reality begins to unravel, the magician realizes the gravity of what he has done, and a desperate struggle ensues to reverse the apocalyptic events that have been set in motion. The narrative explores themes of good versus evil, the consequences of tampering with dark forces, and the potential for redemption amidst chaos, ultimately leading to a shocking and profound conclusion that questions the very nature of divine intervention and the fate of humanity.
The 3782nd Greatest Book of All Time -
3. A Case of Conscience
In this science fiction novel, a Jesuit priest and biologist, part of a four-man scientific commission, grapples with a moral dilemma after studying the inhabitants of the planet Lithia. The Lithians are an advanced, peaceful reptilian species living in an apparent utopia without any concept of religion or God. The priest's crisis deepens as he questions whether the Lithians' society is inherently evil, a creation of Satan designed to challenge faith, or if it can coexist with human and Christian values. His quandary is compounded when he is given a Lithian egg to take back to Earth, which hatches into a creature that could influence the future of humanity and challenge the very foundations of his beliefs.
The 6292nd Greatest Book of All Time
