The Evolution of Science Fiction discussion

It has become more popular lately to mix genres in books (though some authors have done this for years) such as romance and fantasy. What mix of genres do you enjoy with sci fi? Why? (Genres, for example, include thriller, western, mystery, philosophy, or fantasy)

I enjoyed the mystery/sf novels of Isaac Asimov-The Caves of Steel, The Naked Sun and The Robots of Dawn.

I cannot say whether I prefer 'pure' or 'mixed' SF, because I enjoyed both varieties. Moreover, there is a question, is say social SF 'pure'? After all, such famous books as The Time Machine can be listed there.

I had never thought about it up to this point about mixed genres. Looking at it now, I do enjoy SF with threads of mystery, horror, thriller and philosophy.

We get science fiction mixed with other genres in short stories as well as novels. Yesterday, for example, I read a story called “Hidden Achievement” in Analog Science Fiction & Fact, July/August 2025 that was a sort of romance story. I enjoyed it. Not long ago I read a classic story by Damon Knight, “Stranger Station”, that has strong psychological horror elements.

The science fiction/mystery mix seems to be popular. I imagine that the mystery plot can offer a strong suspenseful storyline that can be successfully combined with speculative elements. There are also quite a few Sherlock Holmes pastiches and the like. I enjoyed The Spare Man by Mary Robinette Kowal which references Hammett’s The Thin Man.

I guess there can be a definition problem: is say, a space opera a mix or a pure subgenre of SF?

Larry Niven has grumbled about the difficulty of writing detective stories in science fiction. But then he’s gone and done it. Mike Resnick loved westerns. Lois Bujold does Regency romances. Spy stories are common. Science fiction is,I conclude, one of the most mixed of genres.
That is a good thing.

I like medical thriller sci-fi novels. I have no medical background whatsoever, but the human body and medical technicalities interest me very much. I love reading about how surgeries and post-mortems are done, in novels.

I have read medical novels by Robin Cook, Michael Palmer, Patricia Cornwell, and Tess Gerritsen. Also read a non-fiction book that reads like a novel by Richard Preston.

For me, I think sci fi has definite subgenres (hard, space opera, cyberpunk, steampunk, military, apocalyptic, time travel, dystopian) which would all fit inside the genre of science fiction. But authors mix other, separate genres (not subgenres) with sci fi.
I think also, catagorizing a work depends on how much mystery, romance, horror, etc is in the book. Some authors have a nice balance, while others stick in an instance or two, which I think doesn't count as mixing genres (for example one instance of time travel in a romance novel doesn't make it sci fi for me).
But I think the individual reader can decide if the book mixes genres or if it's predominantly one genre.
As a few of you imply, the story or novel can be more interesting with the addition of mystery, horror, philosophy, etc . . .
I do worry saying "pure" sci fi implies it is a better version, which again I think depends on the tastes of the reader

Natalie wrote: "I do worry saying "pure" sci fi implies it is a better version, which again I think depends on the tastes of the reader"

Just for clarification - When I used pure, it was just an antonym to mixed, not better/worse.

I agree that there is also such a thing as "with SF elements", which doesn't make a work SF

Oh, okay Oleksandr. That makes sense!

Rosemarie wrote: "I enjoyed the mystery/sf novels of Isaac Asimov-The Caves of Steel, The Naked Sun and The Robots of Dawn."

Great example.

Thanks!

I like reading authors like CJ Cheryh and JK Jemisin with the blend of an Old world w/ New World. One might also think about Gene Wolfe.