Locus Announces Winners of “Best Novels of 20th and 21st Century” Poll

Locus Magazine asked their readers to rank their favorite novels, novellas, novelettes, and short stories of the 20th and 21st century. Below are the top five placements of the Novel category (other categories to be announced as Locus compiles the votes.) Congratualtions to all the authors!

Best 20th Century Science Fiction Novels

1. Dune, Frank Herbert (1965)
2. Ender’s Game, Orson Scott Card (1985)
3. The Foundation Trilogy, Isaac Asimov (1953)
4. Hyperion, Dan Simmons (1989)
5. The Left Hand of Darkness, Ursula K. Le Guin (1969)

Best 20th Century Fantasy Novels

1. The Lord of the Rings, J. R. R. Tolkien (1955)
2. A Game of Thrones, George R. R. Martin (1996)
3. The Hobbit, Tolkien, J. R. R. Tolkien (1937)
4. A Wizard of Earthsea, Ursula K. Le Guin, (1968)
5. Nine Princes in Amber, Roger Zelazny (1970)

Best 21st Century Science Fiction Novels

1. Old Man’s War, John Scalzi,  (2005)
2. Anathem, Neal Stephenson (2008)
3. The Windup Girl, Paolo Bacigalupi (2009)
4. Spin, Robert CharlesWilson (2005)
5. Blindsight Peter Watts (2006)

Best 21st Century Fantasy Fiction Novels

1. American Gods, Neil Gaiman (2001)
2. Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell,   Clarke, Susanna (2004)
3. The Name of the Wind,  Patrick Rothfuss (2007)
4. The Scar, China Mieville (2002)
5.  A Feast for Crows, George R. R. Martin (2005)

A full list of the results can be seen at Locus Magazine Online.