Brave New World is often overshadowed by Orwell’s 1984, yet I find it to be a highly underappreciated and relevant work. Huxley’s portrayal of a dystopian society is particularly prescient, offering insights into modern-day realities that surpass even the predictions of 1984. The novel, written during the emergence of the Industrial Revolution and Henry Ford’s assembly lines, revolves around a society where folks worship Ford like a god. This could be reflected today in the obsessed admiration of cult-like personalities like Elon or Trump.

Let’s journey back to the 18th century with Voltaire’s Candide, a literary escapade that resonates with my earlier suggestion, The Stranger. Both Camus and Voltaire dissect religion, questioning the orchestrated nature of existence. Voltaire employs the character Candide to illustrate the folly of blind optimism. Candide, a happy-go-lucky individual, faces constant adversity – from the apparent death of his true love to the loss of his beloved professor.  Despite the setbacks, Candide experiences a loop of misfortune followed by unforeseen good luck.

Crime and Punishment by Dostoevsky is a novel from 1866 that stands as one of the all-time greats. Dostoevsky, a master of philosophical novels, deserves a spot in any list of literary greats. Serialized in 1866, the novel unfolds the tale of Rodion Raskolnikov, financially strapped law student in Saint Petersburg compelled to drastic measures by dire circumstances. Raskolnikov’s family’s moral innocence contrasts sharply with the surrounding depravity, weaving a complex web of fates. This gives a vivid depiction to the grim setting of the novel.

Notes from Underground seamlessly embraces existentialism, thrusting readers into the mind of the underground man, marked by hyper-consciousness and relentless self-scrutiny. This individual grapples with indecision, yearning for a specific reason behind his internal conflicts. Fantasizing the idea of laziness as a potential yet socially recognized cause for his struggles. Amidst the existentialist influences, individuals are empowered to carve their identity. Yet, Dostoyevsky’s underground man grapples with the vast possibilities, leading to alienation.

Albert Camus’ The Stranger swiftly unfolds with the demise of the protagonist’s (Meursault) mother, casting him as emotionally detached and isolated. Camus, diverging from existentialism with his philosophy of absurdism, contends that life lacks inherent meaning. According to this perspective, life unfolds in randomness, chaos, and illogical twists, void of predetermined order. Within Camus’s broader body of work, The Stranger seamlessly aligns with his exploration of absurdism, inviting readers to ponder life’s unpredictable and purposeless nature.

At number six on our list is The Island by Aldous Huxley. Published in 1963, this novel marks Huxley’s final literary work. The story unfolds in the utopian society of Pala, revolving around Will Farnaby, an English journalist. Farnaby visits Pala for research purposes and uncovers a unique utopia where the residents have ingeniously merged the finest aspects of Western and Eastern cultures. Consequently, they have fashioned a paradise on Earth. Farnaby becomes enamored with Pala, its inhabitants, and their way of life.

In Margaret Atwood’s near-future novel, The Handmaid’s Tale, a Christian fundamentalist regime known as the Republic of Gilead orchestrates a takeover, morphing the United States into a theocratic stronghold where its draconian measures are targeted particularly towards women. Published in 1985 during a period of conservative backlash against the second-wave feminist movement, the novel imagines a future where the conservative counter-movement not only erases women’s progress towards equality but also subjugates them entirely to male

Personally, Hesse tops my list of favorite authors, his body of work is so captivating. While I could exclusively laud Hesse’s creations, Steppenwolf stands out—the cult favorite published in 1927. The story revolves around Harry Haller, a middle-aged man drowning in despair. Alienated from society he is paradoxically a part of; the middle-class bourgeoisie. He envisions himself as a lone wolf of the steppes. Amid battling depression and contemplating suicide, Harry’s journey unfolds through captivating encounters, romances, and bewildering experiences.

One of the darkest and most surreal authors to read is Franz Kafka, he emerged as a visionary far ahead of his contemporaries.  Picking from Kafka’s trove proved daunting,  but I narrowed it down to The Trial and The Metamorphosis. Ultimately, I opted with the latter. Within this book, a novella of profound brevity, unfolds a story of shadows, a daunting metamorphosis befalling Gregor Samsa. Waking to a grotesque transformation into a massive insect, Samsa grapples with the repercussions of his past life and the formidable challenges that ensue.

So now, let me tell you about one of this absolute gem, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. The format of the book is quite interesting—it’s an extended, dense personal essay about the author on a motorcycle trip across the country with his teenage son and a couple hitching along. The kicker? Between the road tales, he sprinkles in these things he calls Chautauquas—practical philosophy snippets and how those abstract concepts apply to everyday living. He yanks out the whole Western zeitgeist, dirt and all, inspects the roots, and pops it back in. 

And finally, this is a book that, if it hadn’t existed, I don’t think any science fiction would exist, and that is Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. The book traces the story of Dr. Frankenstein’s, driven by an audacious pursuit of pushing scientific boundaries, endeavors to bestow and sustain life. He assembles a creature from dead matter and electrifies it into a conscious being. Horror ensues, prompting the doctor’s flight and a chilling chase with his creation. Yet, Shelley’s novel isn’t merely a monster tale. It delves into the essence of personhood.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury is a spine-chilling tale of a world where books are banned and firemen burn any that are found. This classic novel of science fiction, published in 1953, delves into the sinister depths of censorship, conformity, and the chilling consequences of suppressing dissenting ideas. The protagonist, Guy Montag, is a fireman who begins to question the government’s actions and his own beliefs. Along the way, he meets a group of rebels who memorize books to preserve knowledge and culture, and the story takes off from there.

Many people consider Lem’s work to be at the pinnacle of philosophical science fiction, with Solaris as a standout masterpiece. It goes beyond exploring technological possibilities; instead, it’s a deep dive into the realms of existence, pondering what life might encompass and the cosmic mysteries awaiting us. In Solaris, the planet itself emerges as a central character, inviting us to question personhood and humanity. The narrative prompts us to reflect on the similarities we share with entities light-years away, urging us to seek common ground.

Human intelligence is one the greatest human gifts, yet the relentless pursuit of knowledge can sometimes lead to tragic consequences. Step into the extraordinary world of Flowers for Algernon, a science fiction written in 1959 by Daniel Keyes. Picture Charlie, a man grappling with intellectual challenges, transforms into a genius after a groundbreaking surgery, outshining even the medical minds. The narrative delves deep into self-perception and the evolving comprehension of reality as Charlie’s intellect expands—a riveting journey laced with anguish.

Now, when I refer to philosophical fiction, I mean literally a literary work of fiction centered around philosophy. Sophie’s World by Jostein Gaarder exemplifies this genre, serving as a captivating exploration of the history of Western philosophy. Picture Sophie Amundsen, a curious young soul bombarded with cryptic letters posing profound questions like “who are you?” These letters kick off her wild expedition into the world of philosophy. As her story progresses, she stumbles upon the sender, a peculiar philosopher named Albert Knox.