Ron Goulart was a prolific American writer known for his science fiction and mystery novels. His humorous and satirical style shines in books like Gadget Man and After Things Fell Apart.
If you enjoy reading books by Ron Goulart then you might also like the following authors:
If you enjoy Ron Goulart’s humorous sci-fi with witty social commentary, Harry Harrison might be right up your alley. Harrison's work often blends satire and action, poking fun at human folly and bureaucracy with sharp humor.
In The Stainless Steel Rat, he introduces Slippery Jim DiGriz, a charismatic criminal turned reluctant secret agent. It’s a funny, imaginative adventure that satirizes authority and society with an irreverent flair.
Robert Sheckley writes clever sci-fi that mixes tongue-in-cheek humor with subtle criticism of modern society. His stories frequently explore absurd situations that reveal uncomfortable truths about humanity, wrapped in playful plots that keep the tone light.
A good starting point is Dimension of Miracles, a quirky tale about a man plucked from Earth who navigates bizarre worlds and surreal adventures, all told with hilarious understatement and sharp satire.
Keith Laumer creates sci-fi that's engaging, fun, and sharply humorous, mixing adventures with a healthy dose of good-natured satire. His stories frequently involve amusing critiques of bureaucracy and politics.
Check out Retief: Envoy to New Worlds, where diplomat Jame Retief navigates through absurdly bureaucratic alien diplomacy with dry humor and charm, making for a smart and entertaining read.
If Ron Goulart’s comedic sci-fi appeals to you, Douglas Adams will likely make you smile. Adams is famous for his playful style, clever wordplay, and satirical commentary on human absurdity.
His classic, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, follows Arthur Dent as he humorously struggles through bizarre scenarios after Earth is demolished for an interstellar bypass.
Adams delivers a blend of wit, hilarity, and keen observational humor about life, the universe, and everything.
Readers who like Ron Goulart’s humor and lively storytelling would enjoy John Scalzi. Scalzi writes clear, fast-paced narratives with sharp insights and witty banter among relatable characters.
His novel Redshirts cleverly satirizes science fiction tropes and clichés, while delivering lots of laughs and genuine emotional resonance—a great read for anyone who enjoys humor with a clever sci-fi twist.
Spider Robinson's writing matches Ron Goulart's humor, wit, and playful approach to science fiction stories. He is known for creating memorable characters and clever dialogue, blending optimism and quirkiness.
One book worth exploring is Callahan's Crosstime Saloon, a warm-hearted collection of tales set in a bar where unusual visitors share amusing, heartfelt, and surprising stories.
Frederik Pohl offers readers science fiction that mixes sharp social satire with inventive plots and engaging ideas. Like Goulart, he has the ability to infuse wit and insight into entertaining and accessible storytelling.
A wonderful place to start is his novel Gateway, an imaginative, thought-provoking tale about space exploration, mystery, and human ambition.
Alan Dean Foster excels at approachable sci-fi adventures featuring likable characters and colorful, exotic settings. Readers who appreciate Goulart's breezy style will enjoy Foster's friendly, vivid approach to storytelling.
Check out his novel Nor Crystal Tears, a fascinating story from the perspective of an alien encountering humanity for the first time.
L. Sprague de Camp creates imaginative narratives full of wit and humor. Similar to Goulart, he has an enjoyable knack for playing with genre conventions and blending fantasy and sci-fi together in clever ways.
A notable book is The Incomplete Enchanter, a humorous tale about a psychologist who discovers a way to travel to worlds based on mythology and legend.
Christopher Moore writes humor-filled fantasies often set in recognizable but quirky everyday settings. Like Goulart, Moore combines absurdity and irony with fantasy elements, creating lively and hilarious adventures.
If you're looking for lighthearted fun, read his novel Practical Demonkeeping, which follows a traveler and his mischievous companion—an ancient demon—through a small California town.
If you love Ron Goulart's playful and satirical science fiction, Jasper Fforde will probably intrigue you, too. Fforde's stories mix humor, speculative fiction, and literary parody.
His novel The Eyre Affair introduces the witty and determined literary detective Thursday Next, who solves crimes that blur the lines between reality and fiction.
Fans of Ron Goulart's humorous approach to speculative fiction will appreciate Terry Pratchett's imaginative world and satire. Pratchett gently pokes fun at human nature, society, and fantasy conventions with wit and warmth. In his novel Guards!
Guards!, he introduces the bumbling yet lovable members of Ankh-Morpork's City Watch as they confront dragons, conspiracies, and their own comedic shortcomings—brilliantly combining fantasy elements with social commentary.
Like Ron Goulart, Mack Reynolds uses science fiction as a vehicle for social and political satire. Reynolds often challenges the norms of his era with sharp humor and thought-provoking scenarios.
His novel Looking Backward, from the Year 2000 examines future societies with a critical yet humorous eye, highlighting human follies in entertaining and insightful narratives.
Avram Davidson shares with Ron Goulart a talent for quirky storytelling, creating unique plots filled with imagination, wit, and originality. Davidson's style blends fantasy, speculative fiction, and satire.
One good example is his novel The Phoenix and the Mirror, which re-imagines a medieval alchemist's adventures with charm, irony, and a genuinely fresh perspective.
Readers who enjoy Ron Goulart's quick wit and clever plotting will also appreciate Fredric Brown. Brown is known for his short, punchy prose, surprise twists, and humor.
His novel Martians, Go Home humorously depicts an invasion of small, annoying green Martians who simply refuse to leave Earth alone, offering laughter along with sharp commentary on human nature.