- Books So Long, They’re a Personal Achievement to Finish - October 22, 2025
- The Secret Link Between Abstract Art and Human Emotion - October 22, 2025
- From Page to Stage: The Best Musicals Based on Books - October 22, 2025
1. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (1818)
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is often called the first science fiction novel, and for good reason. Written by a teenager in the early 19th century, Shelley’s story explores artificial intelligence, bioethics, and the consequences of unchecked scientific ambition. At a time when electricity was barely understood, Shelley imagined a world where life could be created in a lab. Today, with advances in stem cell research and artificial intelligence, her warnings feel more relevant than ever. Researchers from the University of Oxford have even cited Frankenstein as foundational to bioethics discussions. The novel’s monster isn’t just a creature—it’s a metaphor for scientific responsibility, a topic still debated in modern labs. Even now, “playing God” is a phrase thrown around in debates about genetic modification, showing just how prescient Shelley was.
2. 1984 by George Orwell (1949)
George Orwell’s 1984 predicted a world of mass surveillance, government manipulation, and loss of privacy long before the internet era. In 2024, over 70% of countries use some form of surveillance on their citizens, according to Privacy International. Orwell’s vision of Big Brother seems eerily close to the reality many people face with smartphones tracking location and governments monitoring online speech. Concepts like “doublethink” and “newspeak” now echo in conversations about fake news and information wars. The language Orwell invented—such as “thoughtcrime”—has entered the common lexicon. The book even inspired the naming of surveillance programs, like the U.S. government’s PRISM project. Orwell’s dystopia wasn’t just fiction; it became a blueprint for understanding modern privacy fears.
3. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley (1932)
Brave New World painted a future where technology and pleasure keep society docile. Huxley described a world with mood-altering drugs, test-tube babies, and relentless consumerism—ideas that barely existed in the 1930s. Today’s widespread use of antidepressants, in vitro fertilization, and advertising saturation makes Huxley’s world uncannily familiar. A 2024 study by the CDC found that nearly 20% of American adults use some form of psychiatric medication. The novel’s “soma” now resembles how many view quick-fix pharmaceuticals. Huxley’s critique of distraction by entertainment and endless consumption rings true in the age of social media and streaming services. His vision anticipated not just technological advances, but the social questions they would raise.
4. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood (1985)
Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale imagined a theocratic regime that stripped women of their rights, but it wasn’t just dystopian fantasy. Atwood has said every event in the book was inspired by real history. In the 2020s, the novel surged back into the spotlight as debates about reproductive rights intensified worldwide. The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022 led to renewed comparisons to Atwood’s Gilead. The red cloaks of the Handmaids have become a global symbol for women’s rights protests, from Argentina to Poland. Atwood’s vision remains a chilling reminder that progress can be reversed, sometimes overnight.
5. Neuromancer by William Gibson (1984)
Long before the internet became a household term, William Gibson’s Neuromancer introduced “cyberspace” and envisioned virtual worlds, hackers, and artificial intelligence. Gibson’s word “cyberspace” was first used in this novel and would later be adopted by the tech industry. In 2024, with over 5 billion people online and AI technology reshaping everything from finance to healthcare, Gibson’s predictions look prophetic. His vision of a connected, digital underworld inspired everything from The Matrix movies to the development of cybersecurity as a field. The novel anticipated concerns about digital identity, hacking, and the blending of human and machine—issues that have exploded in relevance.
6. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (1953)
Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 imagined a world where books are outlawed and critical thinking is discouraged. The novel predicted a culture obsessed with mindless entertainment, wall-sized televisions, and shallow interactions. In 2024, the average American spends over 7 hours a day on screens, according to Nielsen. Bradbury’s warnings about censorship have echoed in modern debates about book banning in schools and libraries. In 2023, the American Library Association recorded a record number of attempts to ban books in the U.S., showing Bradbury’s story is far from outdated. His vision of passive consumption over active thought has only deepened in the digital age.
7. The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin (1974)
Ursula K. Le Guin’s The Dispossessed explored themes of anarchism, gender, and the structure of society, presenting an alternative vision of civilization. Le Guin’s imagined world, with its lack of currency and hierarchical government, challenged traditional notions of property and power. In the 2020s, interest in alternative economic systems and communal living has seen a resurgence, fueled by housing crises and disillusionment with capitalism. Le Guin’s nuanced exploration of utopia and dystopia is now studied in courses on political theory and sociology. Her influence can be seen in the rise of intentional communities and ongoing debates about universal basic income.
8. Kindred by Octavia E. Butler (1979)
Octavia Butler’s Kindred tackled time travel, race, and trauma in ways no other novel had before. Butler sent her Black protagonist back to the antebellum South, forcing readers to confront the realities of slavery and its lingering legacy. In recent years, Kindred has become a staple in classrooms, particularly after the 2022 FX television adaptation brought renewed attention to Butler’s work. Studies have shown that reading narratives about racism increases empathy and understanding, and Kindred’s popularity reflects a growing desire for honest conversations about history. Butler’s blending of science fiction and social critique was groundbreaking—and it still resonates strongly.
9. A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess (1962)
Anthony Burgess’s A Clockwork Orange shocked readers with its violent antihero and invented slang. But beneath the surface, the novel explored questions of free will, psychological conditioning, and societal control. The “Ludovico Technique,” a fictional form of brainwashing, predated real-world debates about behavior modification and criminal justice. In 2024, as scientists explore neurotechnology for rehabilitation (and even “erasing” traumatic memories), Burgess’s warning about the loss of individual agency feels urgent. The book’s influence can be seen in films, music, and ongoing ethical debates about punishment versus rehabilitation.
10. Flatland by Edwin A. Abbott (1884)
Edwin Abbott’s Flatland is a rare blend of satire, mathematics, and social commentary. The story, set in a two-dimensional world, explores the limitations of perception and the dangers of closed-mindedness. Mathematicians and physicists have praised Flatland for its imaginative way of introducing concepts like dimensions and relativity. In a 2019 survey, physicists ranked Flatland among the top 10 most influential works for inspiring interest in higher dimensions. Abbott’s use of geometry to challenge social hierarchies and gender roles was radical for its time, and it’s still used in classrooms to illustrate the power of perspective.
11. Woman on the Edge of Time by Marge Piercy (1976)
Marge Piercy’s Woman on the Edge of Time envisioned a genderless, egalitarian society long before mainstream discussions about gender fluidity. The novel’s utopian community, where parenting and work are shared equally, anticipated debates about gender roles and family structure. In 2024, as more people identify outside the gender binary and advocate for shared parenting, Piercy’s vision seems remarkably foresighted. The book also tackled mental health, institutionalization, and the politics of care—issues now at the forefront of social justice movements. Piercy’s blend of speculative fiction and activism paved the way for today’s intersectional feminism.
12. The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin (1969)
Another entry by Le Guin, The Left Hand of Darkness broke new ground by imagining a world where people are ambisexual—neither male nor female most of the time. The novel forced readers to question their assumptions about gender and identity. In 2023, gender diversity is a hotly debated topic, and Le Guin’s exploration of androgyny feels more timely than ever. The novel is taught in gender studies and literature courses worldwide, cited for its empathetic portrayal of difference. Le Guin’s work challenged the boundaries of science fiction, opening doors for more inclusive storytelling.
13. Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson (1992)
Neal Stephenson’s Snow Crash introduced the concept of the “Metaverse,” decades before Facebook rebranded as Meta and tech companies raced to build virtual worlds. In 2024, the global virtual reality market is worth over $50 billion, and millions of users log into digital spaces daily. Stephenson’s vision of avatars, digital economies, and virtual real estate anticipated trends that are only now becoming mainstream. Concepts like “infocalypse” and “data viruses” have become part of cybersecurity discussions. Snow Crash’s influence stretches from technology to pop culture, shaping how we think about living online.
14. We by Yevgeny Zamyatin (1924)
Yevgeny Zamyatin’s We is often credited as the grandfather of dystopian literature, inspiring Orwell’s 1984 and Huxley’s Brave New World. Zamyatin imagined a future where individuality is crushed by a totalitarian state, with citizens known only by numbers. The novel was banned in the Soviet Union for decades, a testament to its subversive power. In 2024, with governments worldwide deploying advanced surveillance and data collection, Zamyatin’s warnings about conformity and loss of privacy remain chillingly relevant. His insights into the psychology of control are now part of political science and literature courses.
15. The Female Man by Joanna Russ (1975)
Joanna Russ’s The Female Man broke barriers by blending science fiction with feminist theory. The novel followed four women from parallel universes, each confronting sexism in radically different ways. Russ’s work anticipated intersectional feminism and the idea that gender is socially constructed. In 2024, her influence is visible in popular culture and academia, where discussions about nonbinary identities and multiple perspectives are common. The Female Man continues to inspire readers to imagine worlds beyond patriarchy and to question the stories they’re told.
16. The Iron Heel by Jack London (1908)
Jack London’s The Iron Heel predicted the rise of fascism and the suppression of workers’ movements decades before the events of the 20th century unfolded. The novel’s portrayal of authoritarian regimes and mass surveillance anticipated real historical events, from Mussolini’s Italy to modern autocracies. Historians have noted that London’s chilling vision of oligarchy and resistance feels contemporary, especially in light of growing global inequality. In 2024, political analysts reference The Iron Heel when discussing the erosion of democracy and the power of corporate interests over government.
17. Herland by Charlotte Perkins Gilman (1915)
Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s Herland imagined an all-female utopia where cooperation and peace replaced violence and competition. At a time when women couldn’t even vote in many countries, Gilman’s vision of a society run by women was revolutionary. In today’s world, where women lead countries, companies, and social movements, Herland’s ideas feel less like fantasy and more like a blueprint for change. The novel is now used in gender studies and utopian literature classes to explore alternative social structures. Gilman’s work challenged readers to rethink the possibilities for society.
18. Stand on Zanzibar by John Brunner (1968)
John Brunner’s Stand on Zanzibar predicted a future overwhelmed by overpopulation, mass media, and data overload. The novel’s fragmented style mimicked the experience of information saturation—long before the internet or social media. Brunner foresaw genetic engineering, corporate power, and even the rise of school shootings, which have sadly become a reality in the 21st century. In 2024, the world population exceeds 8 billion, and concerns about data privacy are daily news. Brunner’s novel is hailed by critics for anticipating the challenges of a hyper-connected, crowded world.
19. Solaris by Stanisław Lem (1961)
Stanisław Lem’s Solaris explored the limits of human understanding and the mystery of alien intelligence. The novel questioned whether humans could ever truly communicate with something utterly different. In recent years, as scientists search for extraterrestrial life and develop AI systems, Solaris’s questions about consciousness and empathy have become central to both science and philosophy. Lem’s exploration of memory, grief, and the unknown is now cited in discussions about the ethics of AI and the limits of scientific knowledge.
20. The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester (1956)
Alfred Bester’s The Stars My Destination introduced ideas about teleportation, revenge, and the power of the human will. Bester’s vision of “jaunting”—instantaneous travel—preceded modern discussions about quantum physics and teleportation experiments. In 2024, scientists at MIT and other institutions continue to make advances in quantum entanglement, hinting at possibilities that once seemed like pure science fiction. The novel’s relentless protagonist, Gully Foyle, inspired generations of antiheroes and remains a cult favorite among sci-fi fans, proving that Bester’s imagination was well ahead of its time.
Besides founding Festivaltopia, Luca is the co founder of trib, an art and fashion collectiv you find on several regional events and online. Also he is part of the management board at HORiZONTE, a group travel provider in Germany.
