John Brunner

John Brunner was a prolific British author of science fiction, known for his dystopian novel 'Stand on Zanzibar', which won the 1969 Hugo Award for Best Novel. His work is characterized by its social commentary and exploration of issues such as overpopulation, environmental degradation, and corporate power. Brunner's other notable works include 'The Shockwave Rider', which introduced the concept of computer viruses, and 'The Sheep Look Up', a novel about environmental disaster.

Books

This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

  1. 1. Stand on Zanzibar

    Cover of 'Stand on Zanzibar' by John Brunner

    The novel is a dystopian vision of the year 2010, where the world grapples with overpopulation, ecological disasters, and widespread social unrest. It follows a multitude of characters, including a high-level executive and a data analyst, as they navigate a society dominated by multinational corporations and a supercomputer that predicts social trends. The narrative is fragmented, employing a unique style that interweaves different types of texts to reflect the chaotic and information-saturated world it depicts. Themes of eugenics, media saturation, and corporate power are explored in a world that is at once technologically advanced and socially fragmented.

    The 2038th Greatest Book of All Time

  2. 2. The Sheep Look Up

    Cover of 'The Sheep Look Up' by John Brunner

    "The Sheep Look Up" is a dystopian science fiction novel that presents a grim and polluted future where environmental degradation and overpopulation have reached catastrophic levels. The story follows various characters as they navigate a world plagued by toxic pollution, food shortages, and rampant disease outbreaks. With a sharp critique of corporate greed and government negligence, the novel explores the consequences of humanity's disregard for the environment and the urgent need for change.

    The 3031st Greatest Book of All Time

  3. 3. The Jagged Orbit

    Cover of 'The Jagged Orbit' by John Brunner

    This novel is set in a dystopian future America, where society is deeply divided along racial lines and is on the brink of collapse due to widespread violence and the proliferation of deadly weapons. The narrative follows a journalist as he uncovers a conspiracy involving the manipulation of the population through fear, orchestrated by arms manufacturers and drug companies. As he delves deeper, he encounters a range of characters, including a psychiatrist using experimental therapy to treat criminals and a family living in a gated community designed to protect its inhabitants from the chaos outside. Through its complex plot and richly drawn characters, the book offers a critical examination of the social and political issues facing modern society, including racism, corporate greed, and the media's role in shaping public perception.

    The 10715th Greatest Book of All Time