Score

Not 100% sure of Nerves - if you remember significant bad guy activity, please comment.

Thinking about including books that have minor idjits, secret-keepers, etc.

Does anyone happen to remember seeing this list earlier? I coulda sworn I had one. ...

How about Do You Realize?? No bad guys, but a sci-fi book with time travel?

Oh, right, I did read and enjoy that, thanks!

In Semiosis there is an attack of 'bad guys', resulting in multiple deaths on both sides

Interesting. I like this sort of sci-fi. I can probably add to the list. I'd also like to see a list called "mysteries and thrillers with no violent crimes".

If some of the ones I added have villains, I apologize. I don't remember any though.

Oleksandr wrote: "In Semiosis there is an attack of 'bad guys', resulting in multiple deaths on both sides"

Yes. There are definitely bad guys in Semiosis even though it's a top favorite. I don't think it belongs here sadly enough.

I agree. It's a good book, but too much 'villainy.'

I really appreciate y'all looking, not only for books to add, but also books that have already been added but need to be removed. Thank you most sincerely!

Amy wrote: "Interesting. I like this sort of sci-fi. I can probably add to the list. I'd also like to see a list called "mysteries and thrillers with no violent crimes"."

It's pretty easy to create a list. I'd know nothing for that one, though, so it doesn't make sense for me to create it.

Deleting L'épreuve d'admission because the author added it herself, and I haven't read it.

I think maybe I should have said "in English or translated" somewhere in the description, too.

And deleting a short story, because I did say book.

I added 2001: A Space Odyssey and The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet, but if you don’t think they qualify please delete. The former has Hal, but he was just trying (view spoiler)[to work through conflicting programming (hide spoiler)] and the latter has a race of aliens that just have a different set of priorities. Still, they might not be what you’re looking for. I LOVE the idea of this list, but this is a TOUGH rabbit hole. Although it just gave me an idea for another list for me to create ...

Thanks. Yeah, those are borderline, but I'll accept as they aren't focused on fighting the enemies or outwitting the evil genius or whatever.

Invite me to your list, even if, as I suspect, from knowing what you read, that I may not have anything to contribute!

I added a few, but I think they fit.

How do you suggest a list? Can you only suggest lists you have made, or any list?

Cool idea!

Candice

You don't have to suggest; you can just dive right in and make one. Near the top of the page, about 2/3 to the right, "create a list" is the first of several links that will help you have more fun with the Listopia feature.

My advice is just to be really careful to define exactly what you want, especially regarding self-published authors. There's a lot of spamming of lists going on, and also a lot of stuff gets added to some that doesn't really fit what the creator had in mind.

Children of Time is a fantastic book, but war is a big part of the story. Deleting.

Lots of others are in my memory as awfully dark... but maybe they technically don't have bad guys? Jurassic Park? Annihilation? Lock In? Are these really 'Man against Nature?'

Should I add Close Encounters of the Third Kind... does it fit?

Cheryl wrote: "Should I add Close Encounters of the Third Kind... does it fit?"

Fits! But was it a book?

Cheryl wrote: "Should I add Close Encounters of the Third Kind... does it fit?"

Kevin wrote: "Cheryl wrote: "Should I add Close Encounters of the Third Kind... does it fit?"

Fits! But was it a book?"

Kevin, The link is to an edition of the book.

Cheryl, Yes it fits!

I'm not remembering them well enough. Do these fit?:

Looking Backward

Time and Again

Lisa wrote: "I'm not remembering them well enough. Do these fit?:

Looking Backward

Time and Again"

Hmm..

The former is, iiuc, not real SF, but proto-SF, w/out much of a story, but if someone else puts it on the list I won't quibble.

The latter seems to be more like Man against Himself, maybe? One reviewer does mention a blackmailing. But again, if someone wants to add, and I hear no dissent from others, ok.

a significant number of Stanisław Lem books have no villains.

Thank you, Oleksandr!

Okay, how about The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. No bad guys...

Candice

Candice wrote: "Okay, how about The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. No bad guys...

Candice"

I think it fits.

Ok, with two votes, I'll add it. Thanks!

Later in the Ender's Game series it is made clear that the war was not necessary and humans committed a war crime to win, so I'm not sure if that counts as no bad guy? In The Oxford Time Travel Series by Connie Willis, also has no villain with the conflict always arising through time travel just being difficult.

Ender’s Game also has scenes of bullying, which is definitely “bad guy” material. Ok, now I’ve got the Billie Eilish song stuck in my wee brain ... 🙄

Thank you for alerting me to this! Ender's Game does not fit.

I added I Met a Traveller in an Antique Land but now I’m wondering about including it as it doesn’t have a “man against nature” conflict as you listed in the description. Although it certainly has the “sense of wonder.” Just thinking about loud and probably second guessing myself.

Well, a story doesn't have to have any conflict at all. Also I'd probably accept most "man against self" books, come to think of it.

Mostly I'm trying to get contributors who understand my desire for a cheering but not syrupy read. No bullies, evil geniuses, political intrigue.

I've added 'Traveller' to my lists.

Thank you!!

Just added Our Children's Children. Probably many by Clifford D. Simak would work.

I dnf'd Cold Storage but it seems like it might fit. Which also means, come to think of it, much of Michael Crichton would, too.

If any of you are familiar with any particular books, please add them or comment.

There are books listed that I think may not fit. Please let me know if you see any that are questionable and I'll try to research... for ex. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh?

Even better, if you know of any that def. don't fit, please, I beg you, let us know so I can delete them!

Deleted Annihilation.

Check out:

https://www.torforgeblog.com/2021/03/...

The Last Watch
Night of the Twisters
Rendevous with Rama
The Giver
Fail-Safe
The Effort

Not quite science-y enough for this list but still apt, MG, feel-good, Voyage of the Dogs.

I hope Rodzilla doesn't mind me quoting him here: "I agree! Offhand, Larry Niven has a few of these among his "Known Space" short stories. A common theme in his short stories is how unknowns impact decision making and consequences. As a direct recommendation for what you want is the story "Neutron Star" (in a collection of the same name). Several other stories in the same collection involve human (or other) agency, but still pivot on the impact of nature and our knowledge of it on survival, thus creating suspense. in this way many Niven short stories are mysteries, with science often at the root of the problem/solution. (His novels less so, and have problems of misogyny and other issues far less prevalent in short stories.) Much of the short story collection, "Tales of Known Space" similarly qualifies."

Neutron Star by Larry Niven for links.

I just want to give a shout-out to Quarter Share. Definitely no bad guys, and definitely SF, with a strong What If.

Shroud is problematic. I really don't think that anyone is evil, but it's more a case of everyone doing the best they can. But yes, the world-building premise is based on rapacious corporations. I added it anyway. Unless that issue is an absolute trigger for you, the book is worth considering.