1956 in science fiction
The year 1956 was marked, in science fiction, by the following events.
Births and deaths
Births
- K. A. Applegate
- Gillian Bradshaw
- Simon Brown
- Aleksandr Bushkov
- Jack Campbell
- Storm Constantine
- Hugh Cook
- Nabil Farouk
- Richard Foss
- Mary Gentle
- Rick Kennett
- Tom Kratman
- Jean-Marc Ligny
- Ian R. MacLeod
- R. M. Meluch
- Robert A. Metzger
- Brian Plante
- Robert Reed
- Shauna S. Roberts
- Joan Slonczewski
- Sonny Whitelaw
- Jack Womack
Deaths
Literary releases
Serialized novels
The Naked Sun by Isaac Asimov, Astounding Science Fiction, published in book form in 1957.The Power by Frank M. Robinson, Blue Book, published in book form in May.Novels
The City and the Stars by Arthur C. Clarke, a man questions the perfect but stagnant future city of Diaspar.The Crossroads of Time by Andre Norton, an agent travels between parallel worlds to prevent a catastrophic war.The Death of Grass by John Christopher, a global famine leads to societal collapse and desperate survival.Double Star by Robert A. Heinlein, an actor impersonates a politician in a complex political scheme.Highways in Hiding by George O. Smith, intertwines ESP, a disease that turns people to stone, and a secret society with a hidden cure.The Man Who Japed by Philip K. Dick, a satirical novel about rebellion in a totalitarian society.No Man Friday by Rex Gordon, a science fiction robinsonade set on Mars.The Power by Frank M. Robinson, a thriller that explores the concept of a man with the ability to control others.The Shrinking Man by Richard Matheson, a man battles to survive as he inexplicably shrinks in size.Slave Ship by Frederik Pohl, explores the psychological impact of futuristic warfare and slavery.Tiger! Tiger! by Alfred Bester, a man seeks revenge across the galaxy using newfound teleportation powers.To Live Forever by Jack Vance, society is divided by the quest for immortality and a man's struggle against it.The World Jones Made by Philip K. Dick, a man who can see a year into the future grapples with his power and destiny.Short stories
- "The Country of the Kind" by Damon Knight, The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction.
- "The Last Question" by Isaac Asimov, Science Fiction Quarterly.
- "The Man Who Came Early" by Poul Anderson, The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction.
- "The Minority Report" by Philip K. Dick, Fantastic Universe.