If you were fascinated by the rich, meticulously crafted societies of The Dispossessed—from the anarchist community on Anarres to the capitalist society on Urras—you’ll love Always Coming Home. Le Guin creates the Kesh people in exhaustive detail, offering their myths, daily life, songs, and philosophies. The worldbuilding is so comprehensive that the book feels like an ethnographic record from another world.

If you enjoyed the way The Dispossessed wrestles with ideas of freedom, society, and what it means to be human, The Left Hand of Darkness offers another profound journey. Follow Genly Ai as he tries to understand the genderless Gethenians, confronting both cultural bias and existential questions. Like Shevek’s struggles, Genly’s mission becomes a vehicle for deep philosophical inquiry.

The fascination with Anarres’ anarchist culture and Urras’ contrasting society in The Dispossessed finds a new home in 2312. Robinson’s novel takes you across the solar system, where human societies have evolved into radically different forms. Whether it’s the floating city of Terminator on Mercury or the mobile habitats of Saturn, you’ll encounter a dazzling array of cultures and social experiments.

If you were drawn to the subtle but powerful social critique and dystopian elements in The Dispossessed—the way Le Guin explores privilege, scarcity, and justice—you’ll appreciate The Space Between Worlds. Cara, who can travel between parallel worlds where her doppelgängers are dead, confronts stark class divisions and power imbalances, forcing you to question the nature of freedom and exploitation.

If Shevek’s journey—from idealistic physicist to disillusioned exile—moved you, The Sparrow will be equally compelling. Father Emilio Sandoz leads a mission to an alien world, only to return broken by his experiences. Russell’s novel delves deep into his inner turmoil and transformation, capturing the vulnerability and resilience of someone forced to re-examine everything they believe.