Sci-Fi-esque with philosophical themes and conceptions of reality/experience

I read Dune a few years back and was blown away. It took me on a bit of a trip down the Sci Fi rabbit hole and I ended up reading Hyperion (loved), The Three Body Problem (really liked), Project Hail Mary (liked but didn’t think about it a whole lot), and a couple others.

I am very drawn to books that have sci-fi like elements in which the nature of experiencing reality is changed/challenged/expanded/distorted in some way, through some sort of cathartic process by a character. For instance, there are cultural and psychedelic elements in Dune that contribute to incredible changes in identity for Paul/Muad-Dib. In Hyperion there’s a ton of crazy culture, spiritual, religious stuff and there’s play with time.

I have read other Sci-fi books that have concepts like the above but feel less sophisticated in their presentation. Like I wanted to buy into Mistborn or Locke Lamora but the effect faded. I want to get lost in the journey in a way that turns my head inside out. Dune really did fundamentally impact the way I look at things and experience moment-to-moment reality and it has stuck with me. I think they quote Kirkegaard in the movie, can’t remember if it’s in the book, but I love the quote.

It doesn’t have to be Sci-Fi either. Other books I love include Blood Meridian, Lonesome Dove, The Sympathizer, A Gentleman in Paris, Shogun… to name a few. Ted Chiang’s short stories are great, too.

I also read a good bit of nonfiction on the topic of mindfulness and meditation.

It is hard to describe what I am seeking but hopefully this gives you an idea.

Sound off in the comments!

by sixpacknutsack