The collection consists of more than 9.500 documents, among which you can find novels, comics and films. If you are looking for a specific title, use the search engine. Most documents can be borrowed. In the Rector Gabriel Ferraté Library, there is a section of books excluded from loan where discontinued copies are kept, with delicate bindings, with signatures and dedications of the authors, etc. Ask us for help if you want to consult them.
Feel like reading a sci-fi novel but don’t know which one? Want to read some of the best sci-fi comics ever made? So, in this section of the portal we will try to resolve your doubts.
And we will do it with the help of two experts in the world of science fiction who offer us their recommendations.
Miquel Barceló (1948-2021) was an aeronautical engineer, doctor in computer science and professor at the Barcelona Faculty of Informatics of the UPC. He directed the Nova collection of Ediciones B. Author of, among others, Ciencia ficción: Guía de lectura, Paradojas: Ciencia en la ciencia-ficción, Testimony de Narom (Juli Verne award) and El otoño de las estrellas , the last two have been written together with Pedro Jorge Romero. Barceló was the promoter of the Award UPC of science fiction that, since 1991, sponsors the Social Council of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya · BarcelonaTech. As a recognized expert on the subject, he recommended the following novels from each decade.
BIOPARC
Asimov, Isaac
In 1951, the first volume of one of the most famous and widely read series in science fiction appeared in book form. For many years it consisted of only three novels, but in 1982 it appeared in its sequel, Los límites de la fundación, which almost automatically won the Hugo Prize. By 1961 the initial trilogy had garnered a special Hugo in the best series of all time.
The demolished man
Bester, Alfred
A fundamental work and the first Hugo Prize in history. It shows a perfect harmony of the elements of the mystery detective novel with those of science fiction, along with a rare literary quality in the science fiction of the first era.
The fundamental characteristics of the novel are the rhythm and the narrative style, along with the correct social extrapolation and the vision of a world where telepathy is a present and daily factor and where no crime had been committed in the last hundred years. Also noteworthy is the richness in the psychological characterization of the characters, a rare feature in science fiction of the time.
All in all, a great novel of superior quality and innovative style that won the first Hugo Prize.
The end of childhood
Clarke, Arthur Charles
Although many critics emphasize the scant narrative values and literary mediocrity of the novel (a common feature in Clarke's prose), it must be acknowledged that the book is highly recommended and justifies the great popular success it had, perhaps because it almost unconsciously adequately combines the elements of a messianic myth with a backdrop of technological modernity.
In any case, it is an essential and enjoyable novel to read, which will break more than one "cliché" about Clarke, whom many consider an eminently scientific author, even obsessed with scientism.
Song by Leibowitz
Miller, Walter M. Jr.
It won the Hugo Prize in 1961. It consists of three short novels, the publication of which began in 1955 in the pages of the Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction.
The novel stands out for its subtle references to the characteristics of the religious vocation, the description of life in an isolated community, and comments on the subject of the nature of scientific knowledge and history.
The quality of the stories is such that it guarantees the admiration of even those who do not find this science fiction of conservative ideology and the presumed excess of Catholic propaganda too acceptable.
An essential read, which is interesting to compare with another fundamental book like Pavana (1968) by the British Keith Roberts.
Dune,
Herbert, Frank
Nebula Prize 1965 (the first of those awarded since then by the SFWA) and the Hugo Prize 1966. 
Many critics and several lists made by popular vote consider it the best novel of the genre.
Herbert's work has been marked by the unprecedented success of this work, consisting of two short novels published in Astounding (Dune World, 1963, and Prophet of Dune, 1965). The book made a huge impact among fans and surprisingly had an unexpected success outside of the small world of science fiction. Over time, it became the first volume in a series of very uneven quality and is clearly inferior to the initial novel.
The left hand of darkness
LeGuin, Ursula K.
Hugo and Nebula Award. It represents the leap to fame of one of the best creators of the seventies and 
a reflective introduction to the subject of the role of the sexes in science fiction.
An essential novel among the many of this writer who deserve this qualifier. Many critics consider it to be Le Guin's masterpiece, although Miquel Barceló prefers to declare himself incapable of choosing between it or El nombre del mundo es bosque (1976) or Los Desposeídos (1974).
The Gods themselves
Asimov, Isaac
A great work, justly awarded the Hugo, Nebula and Locus prizes, which is the 
Asymov's reunion with the novel, an extension he had stopped cultivating for more than fifteen years.
Asimov's interest in the sociology of science and the disciplined imagination with which he conceives his strange aliens are some of the best elements of this novel. The second part is frankly fascinating, while the other two represent one of the exponents of Asimov’s best production.
Without a doubt, it is Asimov’s best novel and an essential reading book to capture the richness of the genre.
The endless war
Haldeman, Joe
Hugo, Nebula and Locus Prize, represents a true ideological counterpoint to Heinlein's famous Tropas del espacio (1959). Haldeman, a wounded veteran in Vietnam, looks at the military from a very different point of view than Heinlein.
Critics have also compared it to Elder's Game (1985), by Card, which tells a similar war, although in this case, the focus is on the psychology of the protagonist.
Portico
Pohl, Frederik
One of the most award-winning books of the decade. Initiate a far-reaching and interesting tetralogy. He got the 
Hugo, Nebula, Locus and John W. Campbell Memorial Awards.
The first success of the first book has led to the appearance of a tetralogy consisting of: Pórtico, Tras el incierto horizonte, El encuentro and Los anales de los Heechees.
It is impossible to cite briefly the conceptual and narrative richness of this series, which is surprising for the skill in handling and exposing high quality advanced ideas, both in physics and computer science as well as in the social sciences and psychology. A real must-read wonder.
Chronopaisaje
Benford, Gregory
Nebula and John W. Campbell Memorial Awards 1981. In the opinion of many critics, it is one of the best novels science fiction has produced in its entire history.
It inaugurates a new type of science fiction in which, despite the importance of the scientific-technological element, the fundamental thing is the reflection on the personality, life and problems of those who do science.
A fundamental novel in the description of how science is elaborated and the difficult relationship between scientists and administrators; with a brilliant temporal paradox and a message of ecological intent. It stands out in the English version, the contrast between the characters who use British English and those who speak American, a feature that has obviously been lost in the Spanish version.
The stellar sea
Brin, David
The book revelation of one of the most famous new authors of the eighties. He won the Hugo, Nebula and Locus awards.
An intelligent and elaborate scheme that keeps all the flavor and wonder of the most classic science fiction modernized in the style of the eighties. Enjoyable and recommended reading.
Ender's Game
Card, Orson Scott
Novel based on a story of the same title published in Analog in 1977 and represented by Card el 
Campbell Award for Most Promising Author of the Year, in addition to being a finalist in the 1978 Hugo Awards. The novel version won both the Hugo Award and the Nebula, and its sequel, La voz de los muertos (1986), won even more awards and won the Hugo, the Nebula and the Locus. It was the first time that an author won the Hugo for two consecutive years and also the first time that two consecutive works in the same series won the highest awards in the genre.
Hyperion
Simmons, Dan
Splendid and intense, dazzling and complex. It is the definitive account of the origins of everything.
Simmons presents a multiple story about intelligence, life, the galaxy, alternate universes and everything else.
The book of the day of final judgment
Willis, Connie
At the end of this century, which has seen so many catastrophes, remembering the catastrophes of previous centuries puts things in perspective. In this novel, a time traveler arrives in England during the Black Death. Our heroine survives, though not without experiencing first moments of anguish.
Red Mars
Robinson, Kim Stanley
Ancient science fiction found it easy: Mars would be the next planet to be trapped, although it would not be very interesting to colonize it. It would be one more step towards the stars. Although, since Sputnik satellites, our understanding of things has darkened. Mars is not so easy to get and it would be very interesting to colonize it.
This novel tells us that terraforming could be possible. The details are meticulous and illuminating. The protagonists are complex. The tension is great. The ethical debate about terraforming is incisive.
Jordi Ojeda i Rodríguez holds a PhD in industrial engineering and a master 's degree in automated and robotic production from the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya · BarcelonaTech.
He collaborates with the Unesco Chair of Technology and Culture, where together with Professor Francesc Solé Parellada he has developed several exhibitions, conferences and books on comics, such as: "Science Fiction or Technologies of the Future: technology in the comics of the years fifty", "Paper lighthouses: the light of comics" and "Comics in port: a maritime universe in vignettes".
As a recognized expert on the subject, he recommends the following titles from each decade.
'30 | '60 | '70 | '80 | '90 | '00
Flash Gordon
Raymond, Alex
Is there anyone who doesn’t know who Flash Gordon is? Authors of different generations recognize the 
influences of the character and aesthetics created by Alex Raymond, one of the great authors in comic book history. The compilation of the work published between 1934 and 1944 in the Sunday plates of American newspapers has recently been published in a good edition.
Don't miss the adventures of Flash, Dr. Zarkov and Dale Arden fighting the evil Ming.
A television series adaptation was also made in the XNUMXs and a film adaptation in the XNUMXs, with pretensions of great production.
Valerian
Christine; Mezières
One of the greatest science fiction characters of all time. Created in the late sixties, it is 
celebrating its fortieth anniversary by announcing one more of its adventures (it carries 17 long published stories).
Valerian is a spatio-temporal agent, accompanied by Laureline, who experiences adventures in all kinds of scenarios and eras throughout the stories masterfully drawn by Mezières (master of futuristic images) and screenwriter Christin.
Recently they are being reissued again in our country, recovering unpublished material from the first appearances of the characters.
Hom
Gimenez, Charles
If we consider that Carlos Giménez is probably the best Spanish comic book author of all 
the times, and that this is probably the most personal and risky creation, there is nothing more to say. Originally made in the seventies, it had a lot of trouble publishing (now we can enjoy it reissued in a condition edition).
Hom is a masterpiece, a very free adaptation of Brian Al-diss's novel "En el lento morir de la Tierra". Giménez transports us to a distant and unknown world where we will discover many similarities with ours. At bottom it is nothing more than the classic survival story, from the weakest to the greatest. The pleasure of a gem within our reach.
V de Vendetta
Moore, Alan
A masterpiece by one of the best screenwriters and writers of today: Alan Moore. V de Vendetta, 
drawn by David Lloyd, it starts from a rather delicate premise these days: the protagonist is a terrorist. Written in the early 1980s, during the reign of the Iron Lady (Thatcher), it describes a totalitarian society at the beginning of the 20th century, twenty years in the future.
In 2006 it was made into a film, after delaying its release due precisely to the London bombings of the 11M. The story is based on a historical fact, the arrest in 1605 of Guy Fawkes moments before the British parliament flew. Who is V, who is hiding behind the mask? What do you want to achieve? You will have to wait until the end to find out.
Creak
Bernet, Jordi; Sure, Antonio
It is possible that it is one of the best works of its authors, on the other hand both with a large and varied published work. Antonio Segura as screenwriter and Jordi Bernet as cartoonist build a universe in the underground of a futuristic city. Action-packed stories that make the most of the black and white drawing strength of the original. The Kraken is a monster that lives in the sewers of Metropol, relentlessly pursued by a special squad of hunters trying to end its underground reign of terror.
A science fiction classic of the eighties.
Galactic tavern stories
Beà, Joseph M.
One of the best Catalan science fiction stories
ts the times. Drawn and scripted by Josep Mª Beà in one of his best creative moments, it collects different stories that tell in turn several characters from a tavern in space, with imaginative characterizations in the forms and origins.
The stories told for each one, allows to narrate independent stories to each other that only have in common the fantasy of their narrators.
Beà's science fiction works have been re-edited, giving the opportunity to recover with a correct annotated edition the original work.
Akira
Otomo, Katsuhiro
Probably the work that helped introduce manga (Japanese comics) to the West in the late 1980s and 1990s. The author, Katsuhiro Otomo, is now one of the great authors, as much as a cartoonist, screenwriter or anime director. Akira is a great science fiction story that takes place in a futuristic Tokyo, rebuilt on the ruins of the old city, razed after a nuclear explosion. It has several published versions (version, black and white, color, Japanese or Western reading edition, etc.).
An anime version was made (an expression referring to manga-based cartoon films), with the same name, which sums up the story drawn a lot, with more emphasis on the final part.
The caste of metabarons
Gimenez, Juan; Jodorowsky, Alexander
One of the most shocking science fiction sagas of recent years, with a drawing by Juan Giménez and 
script by Alejandro Jodorowsky, began in 1991 and eight issues were published until 2003, plus The House of the Ancestors, a kind of Making off of the series.
The main lineage that is the axis of all the stories is the one of the Castaka, a caste of invincible warriors. The paneta where they live hides a great secret: the epiphyte, this substance is able to cancel gravity to any object, no matter how large. An accident causes him to be sold to the empire, with unpredictable consequences. A whole universe created by the great Jodorowsky, masterfully drawn by Juan Giménez.
Wake
Buchet, Phillipe; Morvan, Jean-David
Jean David Morvan and Phillipe Buchet have created one of the most impactful series in recent years in European science fiction. They have already published eight issues and have been so successful that they have made a series parallel to the main character's children's story (entitled Navis, drawn by a Spanish author, Munuera).
Estela is a convoy of spaceships that form a kind of traveling world, in search of a planet where to live. In one of them they find a young earthling (unique of the species in the ship), that was taken care of by a robot since the ship where it traveled crashed in a planet, without the origins of all together.
Sky-doll
Barbucci, Alessandro; Hemp, Barbara
One of the current European successes of science fiction comics, created by two Italian authors with a curious career. The protagonist is "a" robot created to satisfy the pleasure of men, where something is not as planned: is it possible that a robot can dream?
Futuristic society dominated by religious fanaticism and moral contradictions. Three issues published so far.
Stellar Cemetery
Azpiri, Alfonso; Gimenez, Carlos
A comic drawn by Alfonso Azpiri (author of the character Lorna, among others), scripted by Carlos Giménez (one of the great authors of Spanish comics) and inspired by stories by Jack London ... that more can be given. The album contains three stories, where the connecting link is the Goyo robot, guard, and tour guide to the A-62-Z planetoid cemetery. Looking at the tombstones of three buried humans, he tells us the legend behind each case.
A creative exercise done by two great friends of established careers and who from time to time give themselves the pleasure of doing what they like best: telling stories.
Carlitos Fax
Monteys, Albert
Carlitos Fax is the winner of the Prize for the best screenplay at the 2006 Barcelona Comic Fair.
It is the collection of short stories published in the magazine Mister K, of the character Carlitos Fax, a fax machine from a newspaper in a future where machines interact with people, and who one day decides he wants to be a journalist. Together with his friend and companion, a camera, they go out in search of the news, although not everything always turns out as he would like. Friendly, very original and well-drawn humor from a great native comedian, Albert Monteys.
The Rector Gabriel Ferraté Library has received as a donation the private library of Mr. Ricard de la Casa, made up of more than 2000 books and magazines of science fiction.
Ricard de la Casa Pérez (Barcelona, February 27, 1954) is a professor, writer and publisher, expert in science fiction.
He was one of the editors of the non-professional magazine (fanzine) BEM (1990-2000) and also one of the main promoters of the BEM on Line portal. He was president of the Spanish Association of Science Fiction and Fantasy (AEFCF) in the mid-XNUMXs.
Between the donation books those from the publishing houses Novaro, Bruguera, Edicions B, Martínez Roca and those from the Galaxia and Vértice collections stand out.
