If you were drawn to the intense psychological probing and inner turmoil that drive the characters in Thorns, you'll find The Demolished Man captivating. Bester’s classic immerses you in the mind of Ben Reich, a man whose ambitions and paranoia are laid bare in a future where telepathy makes secrets impossible. The novel’s deep exploration of guilt, fear, and motivation offers a similarly haunting internal journey.

If it was the dark, almost suffocating emotional tone of Thorns—the way it lingers on pain, vulnerability, and the consequences of exploitation—that resonated with you, Never Let Me Go will strike a similar chord. Ishiguro’s novel follows Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy as they navigate the grim realities of their existence, suffused with a sense of inevitable tragedy and quiet despair.

If you were fascinated by Minner Burris’s flawed, sometimes ruthless choices in Thorns, The Stars My Destination offers Gully Foyle, a vengeful anti-hero whose journey through violence, revenge, and transformation is unforgettable. Bester’s protagonist operates in shades of gray, making you question your own sympathies at every turn.

If you were moved by the profound changes Minner experiences—both physically and emotionally—in Thorns, Flowers for Algernon will be a powerful read. Following Charlie Gordon’s journey from disability to genius and back, the novel is a poignant exploration of self-awareness, hope, and heartbreak.

If the philosophical undercurrents of Thorns—the probing of what it means to be human, to suffer, and to belong—were what you loved, The Dispossessed will deeply satisfy you. Le Guin’s novel follows Shevek, a physicist wrestling with the boundaries of freedom, society, and identity, offering a nuanced and reflective narrative.