Looking for fiction not set on Earth yet not sci fi or fantasy

[What's his face]

I'm looking for something rather specific so I probably should explain:

Lately we've seen an interesting device come up in TV shows where we see scenes set in a society nearly identical to our own, yet it's taking place in an imaginary country or planet. The best examples I can think of are Caprica from nu-Battlestar Galactica and Shiloh from the new show Kings (which is downloading as we speak. Is it good?)

Essentially, these societies are the exact same as our own. People wear suits and ties, drive around in cars, talk to people on their cell phones, go to work in tall buildings, and essentially live their lives like we do. No flying cars, no aliens, no magic creatures or dragons or dwarves. Everything's the same, pretty much.

Only in Kings they live in a fictional country governed by a king and it all takes place on a fictional world, as far as we know. (Like I said I'm still downloading it so don't spoil it for me!)

And in BSG/Caprica they live on a totally different planet. Instead of Americans and Canadians and Germans they have Capricans and Gemenese and Taurons(sp?) - Oh and they have spaceships too, but in Caprica there won't be much space travel, though. Sure BSG is sci-fi but in the new series Caprica it's supposed to be secondary to the drama.

I think this is a very fascinating idea and I'm interested in more examples. Can anyone recommend any other tv shows, movies, books, video games or any other media that has this kind of device in it?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Spot's Meow]

1984?

That's honestly the only example I could think of at the moment.

 

[What's his face]

I thought someone might mention 1984, but keep in mind that book takes place on Earth.

This thread isn't too busy. Do you guys understand the concept I'm referring to?

PS: Was Kings any good?

 

[Zulu Romeo]

It would be hard to have a fictional setting that is not set on Earth (not even an Earth-like planet relabelled as "Planet 0157" or something) and instead set in an imaginary land that isn't familiar to us, a place that isn't conducive to life as we know it, no matter what the non-SFF content of the show is like (police procedural, soap opera, Boys Own adventure, etc.), and not call it fantasy or science/speculative fiction (as we're speculating on how life on other planets or fantasy lands - if they even exist in that manner - would be like).

 

[Spot's Meow]

I thought someone might mention 1984, but keep in mind that book takes place on Earth.

This thread isn't too busy. Do you guys understand the concept I'm referring to?

PS: Was Kings any good?

Well I was thinking it would be okay if it was set on earth as long as it was an "alternate universe." But if you want another planet entirely, I really can't think of anything that wouldn't include weird aliens as well.

 

[Rii]

Not sure if it's what you're looking for, and in any case I haven't read it in a long time now, but as I recall Asimov's Nightfall depicted a society very similar to our own. The story concerned the effects of darkness on a society which had never before experienced it.

 

[What's his face]

Sorry if I'm sounding picky.

To clarify what I mean, the best example I can think of is the new show Kings. It's based in a fictional kingdom on a fictional world and yet the people in that show are no different in their lifestyle than people in the real world. It might as well be Earth, but it is not. Despite this there is no sci-fi element to the show (at least not yet)

BSG has a similar idea, although there is a definite sci-fi element to the show (although the sci-fi element isn't the primary focus of the show, unlike, say, Star Trek.)

Again, sorry for being picky. Maybe it's just that the concept isn't very widespread. Still it is a very fascinating idea.

edit: wiki's Nightfall. Looks like an interesting read. This is very similar to what I am talking about. It's set on a different world and yet the focus is not on spaceships or aliens or anything fantastical, etc. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Mr Awe]

I haven't read this book ages but I think it fits the bill, at least approximately. The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin. It's not set on Earth but is on a cold but otherwise Earth like planet. As far as I can recall, it mostly does not use any advanced technology. It's mainly about exploring the people, relationships, and cultures on a planet called Winter. The humanoid inhabitants are just like humans except they are a single sex (they assume either sex when in heat).

Not totally sure if this fits what you want but I think it might.

Mr Awe

 

[Holdfast]

Maybe it's just that the concept isn't very widespread. Still it is a very fascinating idea.

What you're after IS usually classified as science fiction, it just happens to be planet-bound and at a similar - or slightly more advanced - tech-level to us.

If you're willing to accept an Earth setting, lots of Asimov's short stories fit the bill, as would a number of other "older" sci-fi short stories. Gattaca would be a film along similar lines.

If you'd like to try your luck in teh SF&F forum, let a mod know and we can shoot the topic over there. Otherwise, good luck here in Misc.

 

[Chris3123]

To clarify what I mean, the best example I can think of is the new show Kings. It's based in a fictional kingdom on a fictional world and yet the people in that show are no different in their lifestyle than people in the real world. It might as well be Earth, but it is not.

Of course it's Earth. Just one where history flowed differently.

 

[What's his face]

Yeah, mods can go ahead and move this to SF&F then.

To clarify what I mean, the best example I can think of is the new show Kings. It's based in a fictional kingdom on a fictional world and yet the people in that show are no different in their lifestyle than people in the real world. It might as well be Earth, but it is not.

Of course it's Earth. Just one where history flowed differently.

Do we actually know this?

 

[Holdfast]

Yeah, mods can go ahead and move this to SF&F then.

OK will do.

 

[What's his face]

Yeah, mods can go ahead and move this to SF&F then.

OK will do.

Thanks.

Maybe it's just that the concept isn't very widespread. Still it is a very fascinating idea.

What you're after IS usually classified as science fiction, it just happens to be planet-bound and at a similar - or slightly more advanced - tech-level to us.

If you're willing to accept an Earth setting, lots of Asimov's short stories fit the bill, as would a number of other "older" sci-fi short stories. Gattaca would be a film along similar lines.

If you'd like to try your luck in teh SF&F forum, let a mod know and we can shoot the topic over there. Otherwise, good luck here in Misc.

I liked Gattaca. I thought the concept was fascinating.
I actually am looking specifically for non-earth settings. The reason for this is that I'm interested in learning about a completely different society like that of Caprica & the 12 colonies or the society portrayed in Kings. I can't wait for Caprica because it's not about spaceships or aliens; it's about contemporary life on that planet.

If nothing like this exists then maybe I should become an author/screenwriter and just make it up myself

 

[Shawnster]

Actually, yes there is. I can't think of the name of the novel or the author but I saw a book recently at Borders that seemed to be what you're referring to. The book jacket described a basic plot about this young monk raised at this monastery. During this particular festival the monk is allowed to leave and go into town. Big thick book that sounded like it would deal with cultural differences, fish out of water type of story.

Can you have a fictional show set anywhere BUT Earth and it not be science fiction? Isn't that by definition what Science Fiction is?

Margarat Atwood comes to mind for an author with a divergent past or near future than our own. The book and movie "The Handmaid's Tale" is a great example.

novelist Atwood presents here a fable of the near future. In the Republic of Gilead, formerly the United States, far-right Schlafly/Falwell-type ideals have been carried to extremes in the monotheocratic government. The resulting society is a feminist's nightmare: women are strictly controlled, unable to have jobs or money and assigned to various classes: the chaste, childless Wives; the housekeeping Marthas; and the reproductive Handmaids, who turn their offspring over to the "morally fit" Wives. The tale is told by Offred (read: "of Fred"), a Handmaid who recalls the past and tells how the chilling society came to be.

I read a similar short-story by Atwood that dealt with a similar theme of a plague ravaging the planet and leaving it's mark on the population both literally and through cultural changes (everyone wore veils to cover the sores on their faces).

It sounds like you're wanting a Star Wars format (Humans in a different galaxy or dimension) with a tech level similar to our own.

 

[bigdaddy]

The first couple seasons of Sliders.

 

[Christopher]

Sorry if I'm sounding picky.

To clarify what I mean, the best example I can think of is the new show Kings. It's based in a fictional kingdom on a fictional world and yet the people in that show are no different in their lifestyle than people in the real world. It might as well be Earth, but it is not. Despite this there is no sci-fi element to the show (at least not yet)

You're defining science fiction and fantasy too narrowly. SF doesn't mean spaceships, aliens, and rayguns; it means any fiction based on speculative "what if?" scenarios or unreal environments. It doesn't matter how similar the speculative world is to the real world. If it's in an imaginary setting or an alternate history, that makes it part of the SF/fantasy genre.

Kings is basically an adaptation of the Biblical story of King David transposed to an imaginary setting that closely resembles the modern world. That makes it unquestionably a fantasy series, just not one that falls into the cubbyholes familiar to TV viewers. Although to be fair, I don't think there's much in literature that falls into that category either. Urban Biblical drama? Maybe some of Philip K. Dick's stuff qualifies (as that, not necessarily as what you're seeking).

If you want something set on a world that isn't Earth but is very similar, you're probably looking for something that would be categorized as "soft" science fiction or perhaps urban fantasy. SF/fantasy is an extremely broad genre, at least in literature. The types of SF and fantasy that TV and movie audiences are familiar with are a very narrow sampling of what's out there, and usually a very dumbed-down one.

 

[What's his face]

Actually, yes there is. I can't think of the name of the novel or the author but I saw a book recently at Borders that seemed to be what you're referring to. The book jacket described a basic plot about this young monk raised at this monastery. During this particular festival the monk is allowed to leave and go into town. Big thick book that sounded like it would deal with cultural differences, fish out of water type of story.

Sounds interesting. If you remember the name let me know.

Can you have a fictional show set anywhere BUT Earth and it not be science fiction? Isn't that by definition what Science Fiction is?

I guess it depends on how you define Science Fiction. Assuming "Kings" is not set on Earth, which I believe to be the case but I don't know for sure yet, I still wouldn't call it sci-fi as there are no sci-fi elements to it. It appears to be a military political drama and the setting is coincidental.

Margarat Atwood comes to mind for an author with a divergent past or near future than our own. The book and movie "The Handmaid's Tale" is a great example.

novelist Atwood presents here a fable of the near future. In the Republic of Gilead, formerly the United States, far-right Schlafly/Falwell-type ideals have been carried to extremes in the monotheocratic government. The resulting society is a feminist's nightmare: women are strictly controlled, unable to have jobs or money and assigned to various classes: the chaste, childless Wives; the housekeeping Marthas; and the reproductive Handmaids, who turn their offspring over to the "morally fit" Wives. The tale is told by Offred (read: "of Fred"), a Handmaid who recalls the past and tells how the chilling society came to be.

I read a similar short-story by Atwood that dealt with a similar theme of a plague ravaging the planet and leaving it's mark on the population both literally and through cultural changes (everyone wore veils to cover the sores on their faces).

I've heard of this. Maybe it's worth investigating further.

It sounds like you're wanting a Star Wars format (Humans in a different galaxy or dimension) with a tech level similar to our own.

Yes. Just no aliens or magic.

 

[What's his face]

Sorry if I'm sounding picky.

To clarify what I mean, the best example I can think of is the new show Kings. It's based in a fictional kingdom on a fictional world and yet the people in that show are no different in their lifestyle than people in the real world. It might as well be Earth, but it is not. Despite this there is no sci-fi element to the show (at least not yet)

You're defining science fiction and fantasy too narrowly. SF doesn't mean spaceships, aliens, and rayguns; it means any fiction based on speculative "what if?" scenarios or unreal environments. It doesn't matter how similar the speculative world is to the real world. If it's in an imaginary setting or an alternate history, that makes it part of the SF/fantasy genre.

Kings is basically an adaptation of the Biblical story of King David transposed to an imaginary setting that closely resembles the modern world. That makes it unquestionably a fantasy series, just not one that falls into the cubbyholes familiar to TV viewers.

If you want something set on a world that isn't Earth but is very similar, you're probably looking for something that would be categorized as "soft" science fiction or perhaps urban fantasy. SF/fantasy is an extremely broad genre, at least in literature. The types of SF and fantasy that TV and movie audiences are familiar with are a very narrow sampling of what's out there, and usually a very dumbed-down one.

Perhaps I am defining the genres too narrowly. Maybe what I'm looking for could be categorized as sci-fi & fantasy, after all.

 

[SinglePurpose]

I think the book Anathem by Neal Stephenson is pretty similar to what you're looking for. It's set on a world called Arbre that is inhabited by a society that is human and doesn't have super advanced tech but things progressed differently on their world than they did on Earth.

 

[Admiral Buzzkill]

I thought someone might mention 1984, but keep in mind that book takes place on Earth.

So does "Kings." There is no evidence to the contrary.

Any book that takes place on another planet is fantasy and is arguably sf.