10 Wildly Underrated Dystopian Books to Add to Your Reading List

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • In this evocative narrative, Peter Heller tells the story of Hig, one of the last survivors of a devastating flu pandemic. Living in the abandoned hangar of a small airport with his dog, Jasper, and a gun-toting misanthrope named Bangley, Hig's existence is tinged with solitude and longing for connection. When an unexpected radio transmission sparks hope, he dares to venture beyond his isolated world, leading to an encounter that challenges his understanding of humanity and survival.

A revolutionary work in YA dystopian fiction, M.T. Anderson's Feed explores a future where technology governs thoughts and desires. Young Titus and his friends embark on a trip to the moon, which turns disastrous when a hacker disrupts their feeds. This sends them spiraling into a fight for personal autonomy against a society that categorizes desires. With the intelligent and brave Violet by his side, Titus learns about the cost of letting technology dictate reality.

Ursula K. Le Guin's The Dispossessed tells the poignant story of Shevek, a brilliant physicist intent on bridging the divide between his anarchist society and the oppressive majority. Venturing to the utopian planet Anarres, Shevek risks losing everything in his quest to challenge established norms and ignite change. This classic novel scrutinizes themes of freedom and societal structures while weaving a complex portrait of individual and collective existence.

Neal Shusterman’s gripping adolescent tale, Unwind, captures readers in a post-Civil War America where children between thirteen and eighteen may be “unwound” for their organs. As the paths of three teens collide — Connor, a rebellious runaway; Risa, a ward of the state; and Lev, destined for unwinding since birth — they must navigate a brutal system that sees them as expendable. Brimming with tension and moral ambiguity, this book questions the value of life in a society built on utilitarianism.

Emily St. John Mandel's acclaimed novel Station Eleven paints a hauntingly beautiful picture of a world after a devastating pandemic. Through the eyes of Kirsten, an actress with a traveling troupe, readers explore what remains of civilization as they perform Shakespeare for scattered communities of survivors. The novel’s gripping narrative masterfully intertwines past and present as it examines how art and humanity endure in times of despair.

In Marlen Haushofer’s The Wall, readers encounter an unnamed woman who awakens to a stark reality: she is the last human alive, enclosed by a mysterious wall. This chilling exploration delves into isolation, survival, and self-renewal, as the protagonist finds purpose in tending to her meager farm and grappling with the ghosts of her past. The narrative reads like both a survival guide and a meditation on existence and loss, making it a unique proposition in the dystopian genre.

Neal Stephenson’s jaw-dropping novel Snow Crash constructs a vivid dystopian world drawing on concepts of language, technology, and culture. Protagonist Hiro Protagonist lives in a hyper-commercialized future Los Angeles, where he must navigate a landscape littered with tech-based threats, including a dangerous drug that affects users both physically and in the Metaverse. As he partners with Y.T., a teenage skateboard courier, they delve into a conspiracy that threatens the very fabric of society.

In a world dominated by information monopolies and political corruption, Malka Older's Infomocracy revolutionizes the political thriller genre. Set against a backdrop of global micro-democracy, Older's novel follows Ken, Domaine, and Mishima as they navigate a tense election marked by ethical dilemmas and power struggles. The novel poses stark questions about governance and human agency in a digital age, proving that the tightrope of democracy is endlessly precarious.

Paolo Bacigalupi's The Water Knife immerses readers in a near-future America ravaged by water shortages. Detective and spy Angel Velasquez navigates a treacherous landscape where the Colorado River has dwindled to a mere flicker. Set against a backdrop of corruption, greed, and desperation, the novel explores human resilience amidst rights to water and survival. Angel teams up with journalist Lucy and migrant Maria to uncover unsettling truths in a world where every drop is worth its weight in gold.

Claire North’s imaginative debut, The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August, chronicles the life of Harry, who reincarnates after every death, retaining his memories. As he nears the end of his eleventh life, a mysterious girl disrupts the cycle, urging him to send a critical message. This thought-provoking narrative dives into themes of morality, existentialism, and the impact of one's choices over lifetimes, crafting a fresh take on the concept of time and life itself.