Books Like...
A Traveler from Altruria is a utopian novel by William Dean Howells that challenges the traditional narrative of the genre by having an Altrurian visitor, Mr. Homos, explore the archaic ways of American society. The novel is set in rural America and follows the interactions between the narrator, Mr. Twelvemough, and the idealistic visitor, highlighting the stark contrasts between the altruistic society of Altruria and the class-divided, capitalistic society of America. Howells' writing style is engaging and thought-provoking, presenting a critical examination of social class, wealth disparity, and human nature through the lens of a foreign perspective.
If you liked A Traveler from Altruria: Romance, here are the top 4 books to read next:
- #1
Save:'Pacific Edge' by Kim Stanley Robinson is a utopian novel set in a future California where ecological awareness is deeply ingrained in everyday life. The story revolves around a small town reshaped by an anti-corporatist revolution, where residents lead pastoral lives focusing on artisanal occupations and municipal volunteer labor. Despite the idyllic setting, there are underlying tensions as multinational corporate forces threaten the peaceful coexistence of the community. Through multiple protagonists, the author explores themes of sustainable technology, political activism, and societal change, offering a prescient view of a future world shaped by environmental concerns and global consciousness.
The narrative of 'Pacific Edge' is characterized by detailed town planning discussions, internal dialogues of characters, and a reflective tone on the potential future of California. Kim Stanley Robinson weaves together a story that is both optimistic and thought-provoking, presenting a cooperative utopia while also acknowledging the challenges and conflicts that arise in a society striving for sustainability and social harmony.
The air was cool, and smelled of sage. It had the clarity that comes to southern California only after a Santa Ana wind has blown all haze and history out to sea—air like telescopic glass, so that the...
(Also, see 28 recommendations for the series Three Californias Triptych ) - #2
Save:'News from Nowhere' by William Morris is a utopian novel set in a future socialist society where the protagonist awakens in a world without private property, poverty, crime, or commercial morality. The narrative explores the idyllic nature of a society where everyone contributes willingly, and the state is replaced by an anarchist collectivity. Morris presents a vision of a future Britain that focuses on cooperation, craftsmanship, and a rejection of industrialization, drawing parallels to the Arts and Crafts movement.
Up at the League, says a friend, there had been one night a brisk conversational discussion, as to what would happen on the Morrow of the Revolution, finally shading off into a vigorous statement by v... - #3
Save:In "Looking Backward: 2000-1887" by Edward Bellamy, the protagonist, Julian West, falls into a hypnotic sleep in 1887 and wakes up in the year 2000. He finds himself in a socialist utopia where all social hierarchies and injustices have been abolished. Through dialogue with the people of the future, Julian learns about the reformed society and the advancements made over the past century. The book serves as a utopian manifesto wrapped in a thinly plotted Victorian romance novel, providing a glimpse into a potential future society and reflecting Bellamy's social beliefs.
I FIRST saw the light in the city of Boston in the year 1857. “What!” you say, “eighteen fifty-seven? That is an odd slip. He means nineteen fifty-seven, of course.” I beg pardon, but there is no mist... - #4
Save:'Brave New World' by Aldous Huxley is a dystopian novel that presents a future society where people are genetically engineered and conditioned to fit into specific societal roles. The story follows characters like Bernard Marx and Lenina Crowne as they navigate a world where happiness is superficially guaranteed through recreational sex, drugs, and conditioning. The arrival of an outsider named John Savage challenges the norms of this society, leading to a clash of cultures and a questioning of what it means to be truly human. Huxley's writing style is described as thought-provoking, satirical, and ahead of its time, offering a critique of modern consumer culture and technological progress.
A squat grey building of only thirty-four stories. Over the main entrance the words, CENTRAL LONDON HATCHERY AND CONDITIONING CENTRE, and, in a shield, the World State's motto, COMMUNITY, IDENTITY, STABIL...
