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Narrative · Conflict theme

Reality vs Simulation

The philosophical quest for authenticity within a fabricated environment, examining how constructed realities or systemic illusions manipulate individual human perception.

The thrill of questioning everything you know. The dizzying sensation of realizing the world is not what it seems, and the desperate search for truth in a landscape of lies.

Books

Walking in Two WorldsWab Kinew
The Last OneAlexandra Oliva
The SimulacraPhilip K. Dick
Tea from an Empty CupPat Cadigan
SolitaireKelley Eskridge
The walls of the universePaul Melko
Wave Without a ShoreC. J. Cherryh
The doubt factoryPaolo Bacigalupi
ColdwireChloe Gong
The crystal snareRichard Dungworth
WavesM. A. Foster
Realtime InterruptJames P. Hogan
ChimeraMary Rosenblum
Tunnel out of deathJamil Nasir
SensationNick Mamatas
The March Hare NetworkJack L. Chalker
The Way InnWill Wiles
Sound MindTricia Sullivan
GeosynchronDavid Louis Edelman
Deep DiveRon Walters
Always GreenerJ. R. H. Lawless
SolenoidMircea Cartarescu
The Red MenMatthew de Abaitua
WolvesSimon Ings
GlassStephen Palmer
Three Eight OneAliya Whiteley
Chekhov's JourneyIan Watson
The Other FootDamon Knight
The Fictional ManAl Ewing
Simulacron-3Daniel F. Galouye
Big egosS. G. Browne
Strange ExitParker Peevyhouse
MultifaceMark Adlard
The FalloutKristy Acevedo
The Quiet RoomTerry Miles
Ghost Cities: A NovelSiang Lu
On the Street of the SerpentsOn the Street of the SerpentsDavid Bishop
The Story WriterRichard Wilson
Final GirlsMira Grant
Hollywood NorthMichael Libling
TestingCharles Oberndorf
GlitchGlitchAlexander C. Irvine
Light Up the CloudsLight Up the CloudsGreg Egan
@expectationsKit Reed
BreakthroughRichard Cowper
RevelationsBarry N. Malzberg

Related

Memory vs IdentityIdentity & SelfhoodFaith & DoubtExistentialistPerson vs SocietyHuman vs Post-HumanThe BreachTruth & DeceptionPower & CorruptionPosthumanism