When reading the premises of these books, you will find yourself shivering from how their themes, topics, and “future” events are nearer than you think. This might be the best dystopian book you will read in a while, so get ready to be scared to death. From the Victorian scare of de-evolution to the control of women’s bodies and minds to the destruction of the world, and the horrible current situation of water, these dystopian fiction novels almost cross the line to non-fiction.

Great dystopian novels that dive into how society shifts! Where we are starting to see the beginning of the new normals and how human relations and behaviors are changed due to technology and human ethics are exchanged for cooperation revenue.

“1984” by George Orwell

It is a classic dystopian novel. London is a grim city ruled by a totalitarian regime that uses surveillance, censorship, modification of history, and to maintain power.

“1984” coined the term “Big Brother”, which is this constant “eye” that watches every movement. Also, the novel has the Thought Police who can read minds to stop revealing even at its earliest steps. Winston Smith enters a forbidden love affair and joins a secret revolutionary group to fight against the regimen. Although 1984 is now in the past, Orwell’s novel remains a powerful call for individuals to speak truth to power, oppose totalitarian and violent governments, and demand the safeguarding of human rights.

“Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley

“Brave New World” presents a dystopian future where technology manipulates society from its inception. Engineered maximizes society’s efficiency and control. Humans are genetically bred and conditioned for their roles, and the core of their individuality and freedom is suppressed through different means. “Brave New World’s” revolution starts with questioning the system and how the paths of two different individuals collide. Huxley’s novel questions governmental control, and how much power science has, and proposes ethical questions to what extent modification and control for the sake of “prosperity” are correct while hiding it behind a face of bliss and happiness.

“The Power” by Naomi Alderman

The world is initially familiar, featuring a wealthy Nigerian boy, a foster kid with religious parents, an ambitious American politician, and a tough London girl from a troubled family. However, their lives are drastically altered because in this speculative novel, women develop the ability to produce electric shocks, that dramatically shift the balance of power between genders. Alderman explores this alternate reality while offering a provocative reflection on our world imbalance who is in power, and whether this new picture seems as fair as the one we currently live in.

“Vox” by Christina Dalcher

Half the population is silenced! Dr. Jean McClellan fights to protect herself and her daughter from a world where the government decreed that women can only speak 100 words per day. As women lose their jobs and girls are barred from learning to read or write, a clear allusion that knowledge is power, Jean realizes the full extent of the oppression. Determined to reclaim her voice for herself and all silenced women, Jean takes a stand against this dystopian regime.

“Red Clocks” by Leni Zumas

Five women confront new challenges alongside timeless issues of motherhood, identity, and freedom while existing in a world where abortion and IVF are illegal. The novel follows the stories of Ro, a single high-school teacher, who seeks to have a baby alone. Susan, a frustrated mother of two, feels trapped in her failing marriage. Mattie, an adopted and pregnant student of Ro, has no one to turn to. Gin, a talented herbalist living in the forest, connects their lives when she is arrested and put on trial in a modern-day witch hunt.

“The Water Knife” by Paolo Bacigalupi

A climate change dystopian thriller exploring the fight for water resources in the American Southwest. The Colorado River has nearly dried up. Angel Velasquez, a detective, assassin, and spy, works for the Southern Nevada Water Authority, securing water for Las Vegas. When rumors of a new water source in Phoenix emerge, Angel heads south to investigate. However, he never thought that his life would change after meeting Lucy Monroe and Maria Villarosa since they ended up entangled in a larger, corrupt game where alliances shift and understanding that sometimes people have to bleed for others to survive.

“Future Home of the Living God” by Louise Erdrich

The world is de-evolving because now women are giving birth to the primitive human species. Adopted by Minneapolis liberals, Cedar, who is pregnant, feels a deep need to find her birth mother to understand her and her baby’s origins. As society collapses, with rumors of martial law and pregnant women being hunted, Cedar witnesses increasing repression and violence. Her adoptive parents disappear, and Cedar must evade informants and authorities to protect her unborn child amidst the chaos.

“The Children of Men” by P.D. James

Civilization is crumbling, again, but this time because suicide and despair become commonplace. Oxford apathetic historian Theodore Faron spends most of his time reminiscing about the falling society until he is approached by Julian who wants him to help get her an audience with his cousin, the powerful Warden of England. And as it is the rule in fiction and reality, this woman, Julian, leads the revolution that gets Theodore moving and regaining his desire to live . . . and they may also hold the key to survival for the human race.

“MaddAddam Trilogy” by Margart Adwodod

Mankind was overwhelmed by a plague, and Jimmy, or Snowman, is struggling to survive in a world where he may be the last human. Moring for the lost of his beloved, Jimmy starts to search for answers through the lush wilderness that was so recently a great city, until powerful corporations took mankind on an uncontrolled genetic engineering ride. A mix of Brave New World and The Last of Us Margaret Atwood projects us into a near future that is both all too familiar and beyond our imagining.

“The Unit” by Ninni Holmqvist

Society mandates that unmarried, childless women over fifty and men over sixty be sent to the Unit, a luxurious retirement community. While enjoying beautiful state-of-the-art facilities, and gourmet meals, these residents, known as “dispensables,” must donate their organs until their final donation. Dorrit Weger, who initially accepts her fate upon arrival, finds unexpected love, casting doubt on her future and the seemingly idyllic life in the Unit.

“Snowcrash” by Neal Stephenson

The world is dominated by corporate franchises who are isolating city-states. Hiro makes a living delivering pizza and navigating the virtual world of the Metaverse as a legendary avatar – quite too familiar and scary recognizable. At one point in this new horrible world, a new drug begins incapacitating hackers in the virtual club, and Hiro starts to investigate and uncovers a conspiracy stretching back to ancient Sumerian history. Alongside a daring teenage skateboard courier, Hiro races against time to confront a virtual villain intent on global domination.

“Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury

Guy Montag is a fireman, but here firemans create fire and destroy the most illegal of commodities, the printed book – a clear allusion that knowledge is power and governments want to keep people in the dark. Montag never questions the destruction and ruin his actions produce, returning each day to his bland life and wife who spends all day with her television “family”- which know could be the iPad “family”. But one day, he starts to question his actions and the world because, again as it is the norm, he meets an eccentric young neighbor who introduces him to a past where people didn’t live in fear and the ideas in books were treasured.

“Running Man” by Stephen king

Ben Richards faces dire circumstances as he enters the deadly game show, The Running Man, in a desperate bid to secure treatment for his daughter’s illness – another horror that is based on the current USA health industry. Hunted by ruthless Hunters whose sole objective is to kill him, Richards must evade capture for a chance at a billion-dollar jackpot. With the entire nation watching and potentially betraying him for the reward, Richards confronts overwhelming odds and a rigged system. As he fights for survival, he challenges not only the brutal game but also the oppressive societal regime that thrives on exploitation and entertainment at any cost.