I need some modern dystopian books that break the mold of the traditional "government controls you with an iron fist" trope. I'm looking for something with a fresh perspective, written in a contemporary style that explores the human condition in a thought-provoking way.
I didn't get the kick from Fahrenheit 451, The Giver, Scythe, The Long Walk, and Divergent as the overall moral value from them were very limited .I'm craving something new and different. Something that opens my mind forever like Westworld , brave new world etc . I want a dystopian world that's not immediately recognizable as such, where the characters (and maybe even the reader) don't realize the true nature of their reality.
I'm a huge fan of the Westworld web series, which I found to be a masterclass in thought-provoking deep ideas about evolution of life. I also loved Brave New World more than 1984, precisely because it required me to read between the lines and think deeply about the themes and commentary on humanity.
Some specific characteristics I'm looking for include:
Written in the past 10-15 years
The overall moral value should be deep and "open my mind" forever
Unique, non-traditional dystopian setting
Preferably AI driven 🤖
Focus on character-driven storytelling and psychological insights
Themes that explore the human condition, morality, and the consequences of our actions
A pinch of dystopia, but not necessarily a full-blown, in-your-face dystopian world
by Realistic_Brother152