There are some great novel recommendations here, but I wouldn’t say that most of them are lesser-known.
What are your recommendations?
As for me, I’ve exclusively read well-known novels, except if you consider someone like Alfred Bester obscure, for example.
One exception: Misha Burnett’s Endless Summer: Twelve Strange Tales of Mankind’s Future. It’s a collection of exceptionnaly well-crafted stories. It ain’t a novel, though.
The Bolo series. Originated with Keith Laumer. Mostly short stories written by Keith and others. A few long form books by David Weber and John Ringo.
The Bolos are sentient tanks who are tragic heros. And are basically future knights.
While not really ground breaking, I’ve always enjoyed the stories and reread them every couple of years.
They definitely deserve more love.
Who doesn’t love the dinochrome brigade?