Have you ever read this?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engine_Summer
I know you like SF, and this is both obscure and unique. I've been
asked to give suggestions to someone for SF and Fantasy books.
Crowley's other notable book, *Little, Big* tops the list for Fantasy.
Another favorite low fantasy is *Tuck Everlasting*, and also a crazy
little book called *In Watermelon Sugar*.
Other SF books I'll mention are the *Foundation trilogy*, the *Dune
tetralogy*, and *The Space Merchants*.
--Bryan