  For most writers the science is either an exotic setting or a source of
thrilling conflict that would drive the story forward. For a communicator it is
the other way around - the science is neatly wrapped in a package of literary
tools that make it "invisible" while it remains tangible and most importantly -
it can be conveyed to the reader in understandable terms. There are many
examples showing how these seemingly contradicting goals can complement each
other successfully. I will review how the science was communicated by
mainstream and genre writers of yesterday and today, and in different (not
necessarily anglophone) cultures. I will bring forward the best and the worst
examples that illuminate various astronomical concepts. Finally, I will discuss
how we can use them both in outreach and education. Contrary to many similar
summaries I will concentrate on some often overlooked mainstream literary
examples, including the plays The Physicists by Friedrich D\"urrenmatt and
Copenhagen by Michael Frayn, the novel White Garments by Vl. Dudintsev and even
an episode of the Inspector Morse TV show, featuring scientists. I will also
mention in passing a few less well known genre books.
