13 tech dystopias for fans of "Black Mirror"

While not science fiction, this listen definitely deserves a place on our list. In this entry from Blackwell, every episode through season 5 is meticulously picked apart for delicious philosophical morsels. Leaving no stone unturned, this title succeeds in adding necessary context to Black Mirror's endless bag of moral quandaries. While the series is no stranger to making vague references and homages to philosophers and other important historical mood-setters, Black Mirror and Philosophy: Dark Reflections is your ticket to running the conversation at your next dinner party.

Winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature and the Booker Prize among other accolades, Kazuo Ishiguro proves time and time again that he is one of the greats when it comes to immersive fictional storytelling. This stunning novel takes on the very big themes of consciousness and free will as only Ishiguro can—and his heroine, Klara, is as engaging as his characters always are. Klara and the Sun is an extremely timely story that centers on an Artificial Friend who is waiting to be bought at a store. Klara's tremendous observational skills are as poignant as they are entertaining, providing a narrative thread with a surprising amount of heart.

John Carpenter's beloved cult classic, and the Stephen King novel that inspired it, Christine shouldn't necessarily be considered funny, but if you were able to get on board with the idea of a haunted car—whether it spooked you, made you laugh, or sparked some sort of internal debate—Reverse Transmission may just be your new favorite. In this Audible Original, the story is given a modern twist, with a driverless car sold by a tech giant. A murderous vehicle, AI gone wild, and clever, gut-busting moments bring some levity to this all-too-real scenario.

Forward is a series of short story collections exploring a number of different ways our future will be impacted by technology. As each story stands alone, this series closely resembles Black Mirror's format. The stories also bring the show's vibe but often in a tone that's more digestible and less likely to cause a fresh case of existential dread every time. Each story is served up by a big name writer—Amor Towles, N.K. Jemisin, Veronica Roth, and Andy Weir among them. As a bonus, this collection is performed by an all-star cast including Jason Isaacs and Evan Rachel Wood. Happy bingeing!

Another standout from Kazuo Ishiguro, this subtly haunting novel is indicative of the all-star author's mysterious, slow-burning style. Never Let Me Go is told in the first person, and at the start, all listeners know about Kathy is that she's a "carer" who was once a student at a boarding school named Hailsham. Narrator Rosalyn Landor’s ponderous, careful tone mimics not only Kathy’s own timidity and reflection but also the way Ishiguro reveals plot details step by careful step. Listeners are dropped into Kathy’s life, where she recounts stories of places and activities she expects us to be familiar with. As we follow her often spiraling reminiscences of love, friendship, and innocence lost, we catch glimpses of a melancholy we can’t quite explain—and of things not being quite right.

Fahrenheit 451 takes place in a world where the government rules via the television, books are contraband, and the job of firemen like our protagonist Guy is to burn them all, along with the houses of people who own them. Guy begins to question his life when his wife—who he never suspected was unhappy—attempts suicide, and his neighbor disappears after revealing details about the past contradictory to his current reality. He soon finds himself on the run from the government he so dedicatedly served. This version of Bradbury’s internationally acclaimed title is performed by actor Tim Robbins, best known for his portrayal of Andy Dufresne in The Shawshank Redemption, and the compelling, full timbre of his voice perfectly suits Bradbury’s direct and concise prose.

If you're looking for a listen with a plot similar to Black Mirror episodes, look no further! David Rossmer's hilarious and touching play stars Henry, a man who finds himself alone after 40 years of marriage. When his daughter Lisa buys him a robotic assistant, Henry finds himself becoming increasingly attached to the pseudo relationship it provides. Alexa, Why Can't You Love Me? is surprisingly resonant and heartwarming, given that Black Mirror often leaves viewers with a powerful feeling of emptiness.

George Orwell's iconic work barely needs an introduction—1984 is arguably the flagship title of the speculative science fiction subgenre. Simon Prebble’s narration here is bone-chilling. His depiction of Winston Smith—whose life, like everyone’s, is utterly controlled by a party who calls itself Big Brother—as a lonely, desperately man struggling for meaning is touching and lasting. Winston’s job is to rewrite history to make the party line appear consistent, and he finds himself in grave danger when he begins to question the omniscience of the party. Big Brother knows his thoughts, analyzes his facial expressions, and constructs his reality, all while expecting him to rejoice in those facts. As Winston attempts to hide his true feelings, he realizes what it truly means when they say, Big Brother is watching you.

Bestselling author Ian McEwan brings a classic science fiction prompt to the fore in this compelling listen. Taking place in a dystopian, alternate version of London, Machines Like Me grapples with a reality wherein famed computer scientist Alan Turing had an early breakthrough with artificial intelligence. Main character Charlie exists in this world as a drifter, until he comes into enough money to buy himself an AI robot named Adam. What ensues is a thoughtful, sometimes creepy, and always poignant exploration into the possibilities (and risks) of artificial intelligence.

Way before Charlie Brooker's hit Netflix series asked us difficult questions about technology's changing role in society, a little program hosted by Rod Serling was making big waves on television. In many ways, The Twilight Zone walked so that Black Mirror could run. There are a lot of The Twilight Zone Radio Dramas to choose from, but this one, starring Jason Alexander, deals with some issues that are particularly relevant in today's age of constantly evolving tech. Listen to discover a harrowing tale of a librarian who is told by the government that his profession has become totally obsolete and his life is no longer valuable.

This dystopian classic examines the idea of a utopia, called the World State, that is built on science and efficiency, sacrificing individuality, emotions, and even natural human processes like aging. Michael York’s clinical and refined yet occasionally dramatic narrative delivery underscores author Aldous Huxley’s warning about how efficiency can desensitize and a government can leverage social channels to control its citizens. The heady nature of Brave New World makes it an excellent gateway into dystopian fiction, and York’s expert performance makes the selection more accessible and compelling than ever.

William Gibson's Jackpot Trilogy is his first work since 2010's Zero History, and it's a doozy. This dystopian sci-fi title takes place in a disturbingly close-to-home future. Main character Flynne Fisher is asked to take over what seems to be an easy job—beta-testing part of a new game. But in reality, it's way more than that. In fact, it could be murder. The first book in the series, The Peripheral inspired a Prime Video show of the same name, starring Chloë Grace Moretz. In the audiobook version, Audie Award-winning narrator Lorelei King captures the tension to a T.