some books that fit this: i who have never known men, lord of the flies, never let me go, tender is the flesh, the handmaid's tale.
i really like speculative dystopian fiction that leans more towards a literary, tragic genre rather than a revolutionary/political genre. i'd like this speculative "world" to act as a vessel for exploring society, humanity, love, psychology, philosophy, etc.
i don't really like surreal or inexplicably mystical elements. i'd also like at least some worldbuilding. the wall by marlen haushofer has been recommended to me, but i feel like that novel leans a bit too much towards literary, and has no explanation for the world at all.
by ieatchocopie