The definitive guide to the 20 best communist novels
Red and revolutionary: A comprehensive list of the best communist stories and novels of all time. Society reimagined.
Fiction has the power to shape our understanding of the world and inspire generations of people to strive and fight for a better future. The following books and stories (arranged in no particular order) are testament to the transformative potential of literature, utilizing the power of storytelling to expose the deep injustices of the capitalist order and envision a more equitable society.
Note: most of the books presented here are not explicitly communist, but rather adhere to, or portray, (anarcho-) communist and/or socialist ideals. What they have in common is a critique of the capitalist status quo.
Disclaimer: I’ve read most of the books, but not all (I’m trying). And I’ve written one of them.
1 — Red Star: The First Bolshevik Utopia by Alexander Bogdanov
Red Star: The First Bolshevik Utopia is a science fiction masterpiece written by Alexander Bogdanov, a Russian Marxist, physician, philosopher, and writer.
Set in a communist society on Mars, the novel delves into the inner workings of a utopia based on socialist ideals of collectivism and the common good. The protagonist, a member of the Bolshevik party prior to the 1917 revolution, is transported to a Martian collective that has successfully achieved full communism after going through the historical stages of socialist development.
Written over a century ago, Red Star remains a classic work of ‘red science fiction’ and continues to be influential within socialist and communist circles. Trust me, it’s a brilliant book.
2 — The Iron Heel by Jack London
Jack London’s The Iron Heel is a dystopian tale set in early 20th century America. It tells the story of a group of revolutionaries fighting against the repressive reign of the capitalist oligarchy.
The novel is harshly critical of capitalism, (rightfully) presenting it as corrupt and exploitative. It also touches on themes of revolution and the potential for a better future through the triumph of communist ideals. Jack London has received much appreciation for his portrayal of an America ripped apart by class struggle. His depiction of the capitalist press as a ‘parasitic growth’ that merely serves the interests of the ruling class appears particularly relevant.
Yet despite its dystopian character, The Iron Heel conveys a deep message of hope. Something that is in scarce supply these days.
3 — The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin
The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin is an incredible must-read for anyone interested in anarchism and/or communism. The book is set on the twin planets of Anarres and Urras, and follows the story of Shevek, a brilliant physicist from Anarres who embarks on a journey to visit Urras and learn more about their society.
Anarres is basically an anarcho-communist society, where resources are shared equally and there is no hierarchy or central authority. In contrast, Urras is a highly capitalist society with a complex social hierarchy and a focus on private property and individual gain. As an anarcho-communist myself, I was blown away by Le Guin’s portrayal of a Utopian society that is not only functional but also deeply human and compassionate. After all, communists and anarchists ultimately share the same goal.
Overall, The Dispossessed is a thought-provoking, inspiring, and deeply personal work that I highly recommend to anyone interested in alternative visions of society. I just love this book. Read it!
4 — The Expanse series by James S.A. Corey
Now something a bit more recent. The Expanse series is a blend of science fiction and political drama. It follows a diverse cast of characters as they navigate a complex and dangerous futuristic world in which humanity has colonized much of the Solar System but remains deeply divided along lines of class and nationality.
The exploitation and oppression of the working class, particularly ‘the Belters’ who live and work in the Asteroid Belt or on the moons of the outer planets, is one of the series’ central themes. As the story progresses, the Belters and other marginalized groups begin rising up against their oppressors, basically establishing a ‘dictatorship of the proletariat’ after the first main story arc. As the powerful Martian military becomes increasingly aggressive and authoritarian, the series also addresses the dangers of fascism (after all, fascism is just capitalism in decline).
While Amazon’s television adaptation of The Expanse has toned down some of the source material’s more radical elements, the books are still well worth reading for their exploration of political and social issues.
5 — The Factory: Revolution’s Call by Antonio Melonio (that’s me!)
Yeah, sorry. I had to do this. For those of you who follow me this won’t be news, but hey, a couple of months ago I’ve published my very first book! A proper book, with pages and paragraphs and stuff!
Well, it’s just a novella and I cannot by any means compare myself to any of the amazing, transformative authors mentioned here (man, I’m not even worthy of being mentioned in the same paragraph). But still, yeah, I wrote an anarcho-communist story that I think is worth reading.
Here is a short summary: In The Factory: Revolution’s Call, readers are transported to a dystopian, surreal world in which capitalist oppression reigns supreme. Workers are trapped in a cycle of suffering, ruled by long slender creatures and an army of ruthless soldiers. But then something unimaginable happens; the workers rise up, pick up their hammers, and begin a seemingly hopeless war against the endlessly growing Tower.
Now let us return to some actual literature.
6 — The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende
The House of the Spirits is a novel written by Isabel Allende, a relative of Salvador Allende, the former Marxist president of Chile. It’s a blend of magical realism and historical fiction, set against the backdrop of 20th century Chile, including the events of the US-sponsored military coup of 1973 that overthrew Salvador Allende’s socialist government in the name of neoliberalism.
The story follows the lives of several generations of a family, exploring themes of inter-generational conflict, rebellion against oppressive systems, and the search for happiness in a chaotic world ruled by greed. The novel is strongly anti-imperialist and critical of America’s numerous bloody interventions in Latin America.
Overall, The House of the Spirits is a beautifully written and powerful book, both entertaining and troubling. As an anti-capitalist reader, you will appreciate its message of resistance and its celebration of the human spirit.
7 — The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
The Grapes of Wrath is an American classic written by the one and only John Steinbeck. Set during the Great Depression, it follows the journey of the Joad family who are forced to leave their ancestral home. As they travel west to California, hoping for a better life, they are faced with numerous injustices and bear witness to the cruel exploitation of workers by wealthy landowners.
Throughout the novel, Steinbeck uses the Joad family’s struggles to shed light on the larger issues facing the country at the time, including economic inequality, corporate interests, and the plight of the working class. The novel is notable for its sympathetic portrayal of socialism as a potential solution to these problems, and its powerful depiction of the human cost of capitalist failure.
I can attest to the novel’s deep emotional impact. The story of the Joads is a heart-wrenching one, and Steinbeck’s writing is both beautiful and deeply moving. If you haven’t yet read this book, I highly recommend it. It’s powerful and sure to stay with you long after you’ve finished reading it. I’ll always remember that part about the oranges…
8 — Red Mars series by Kim Stanley Robinson
Kim Stanley Robinson’s Red Mars series is a science fiction classic that explores the possibilities of building a better society through worker empowerment and collective action. The series follows the story of the first human settlement on Mars, as a diverse group of scientists, engineers, and politicians struggle to create a new world on the red planet.
Throughout the trilogy, Robinson touches on a range of issues related to capitalism, socialism, and anarchism, and the characters engage in deep debates about topics such as imperialism, economy, ecology, laws, and architecture. While the series is not explicitly pro-communist or Marxist, it definitely leans towards a libertarian socialist perspective and presents a highly critical view of capitalism.
Despite its often depressing themes, the Red Mars series is an extremely rewarding read that has won numerous awards and continues to be widely celebrated in the science fiction community. If you’re a fan of the genre and are looking for books that challenge your assumptions about the world, then the Red Mars series is a must-read.
9 — Another Now: Dispatches from an Alternative Present by Yanis Varoufakis
Another Now, written by renowned economist, academic, and politician Yanis Varoufakis (in 2015 he briefly served as Greek minister of finance), is a thought-provoking and boundary-breaking exploration of what a post-capitalist world without banks, stock markets, and tech giants could look like (yes, please!).
In this alternate reality, movements like Occupy and Extinction Rebellion are successful in their efforts to bring about change. Varoufakis shows us which problems this new world will face, and how it could potentially come to be. Rebuilding is not an easy task.
Ultimately, Another Now challenges our preconceived notions of what a just society would look like and reveals the complexities of our desire for a better world. A worthwhile read.
10 — Bas-Lag series by China Miéville
China Miéville’s Bas-Lag series, which includes the books Perdido Street Station, The Scar, and Iron Council, is an obligatory read for fans of socialist and communist literature. Set in the fantastical steampunk world of Bas-Lag, the series follows a diverse cast of characters as they navigate a society marked by deep class divides and political unrest.
Throughout the series, Mieville explores themes of revolution, workers’ struggles, and the dangers of capitalist exploitation. He offers a thought-provoking and imaginative take on Marxist theory, weaving it seamlessly into the fabric of his complex and vividly realized world. In addition to the Bas-Lag series, Mieville has also written several other books that deal with similar themes, including The City & the City (that’s a great one!) and The Ballad of Black Tom.
11 — Foundation series by Isaac Asimov
Isaac Asimov’s Foundation series is an absolute science fiction classic that explores the concept of ‘psycho-history,’ which is a fictional science that aims to predict and guide the future through an analysis of societal trends and patterns. Some say it has similarities to Karl Marx’s historical materialism (a method of analyzing and interpreting history that focuses on the underlying economic and material conditions and how they shape social, political, and cultural developments).
The series follows a group of scientists and scholars who establish the Foundation on the edge of the galaxy in order to preserve humanity’s collective knowledge and shape the future of the galaxy. It‘s an interesting and thought-provoking read that is sure to captivate fans of science fiction and political intrigue.
Although the Foundation series is not overtly political, it does occasionally touch on criticisms of liberalism and the dangers of allowing society to be guided solely by economic forces. While Asimov has exhibited instances of racism and prejudice against ‘primitive’ societies in other works, the Foundation series is well worth reading. By the way: Apple has adapted the series into a TV show. I’ve seen the first season — it’s solid.
12 — Les Misérables by Victor Hugo
Les Misérables is a famous novel written in 1862 by Victor Hugo, a French writer and political activist. Hugo was known for his revolutionary ideas and often incorporated socialist ideals into his works. Les Misérables is considered his magnum opus and tells the story of ex-convict Jean Valjean and his journey to redemption. Set in 19th century France, the novel explores themes of social justice, poverty, and the plight of the poor.
Hugo’s writing is powerful and evocative, and Les Misérables is a worthwhile read for anyone interested in issues of social justice. Its portrayal of the struggles of the poor and marginalized is particularly relevant in today’s world, where wealth inequality and poverty continue to rise and threaten to tear our society apart. Despite its length, the novel is a captivating and emotionally resonant read that is sure to leave a lasting impression.
Also, the French seem to be the only Western nation with the balls to at least somewhat resist their capitalist rulers. This book shows why.
13 — Red Rising series by Pierce Brown
The Red Rising series by Pierce Brown is a sci-fi series that follows the story of Darrow, a member of the Red class of workers who live underground on Mars. When Darrow discovers that the ruling Gold class has been lying to them about their true purpose on the planet, he becomes embroiled in a violent revolution that pits the different castes against each other.
Though not explicitly Marxist, the series explores themes of class warfare and revolution, and the eventual triumph of the oppressed over their oppressors. The books are fast-paced and action-packed, with complex and well-developed characters.
I personally loved the series and swallowed it up some years ago. They were a huge influence and exposed me to Marxist and socialist ideas of class struggle and war. If you enjoy sci-fi and are looking for a passionate read, I highly recommend giving it a try. The series is still ongoing — I gotta catch up soon.
14 — And Quiet Flows The Don by Mikhail Sholokhov
And Quiet Flows The Don is a novel in four volumes written by Russian writer Mikhail Sholokhov. The story, which is considered one of the most significant works of literature in the 20th century, follows the lives of several generations of the Cossacks, a group of Russian peasants who lived along the Don River in the early 20th century.
The novel is set during the First World War, the Russian Revolution and the subsequent Russian Civil War, and explores the complex and often violent history of the region and its people. In the process, it delves heavily into themes of social and economic inequality, class struggle, as well as the impact of war and revolution on the everyday lives of ordinary people.
15 — Culture series by Iain M. Banks
The Culture series by Iain M. Banks is a science fiction epic that explores the utopian potential of a communist society. ‘The Culture’ is a space-faring civilization made up of AI, humans, and other alien species, all living in harmony and abundance.
The AI includes benign ‘minds’ that have godlike intelligence and run the Culture’s space ships, while humans (or rather ‘pan-humanoids’) have the freedom to live in any way they choose, whether it be as nomads traveling the galaxy or as settlers in massive, comfortable space habitats called orbitals. The Culture has no prisons and instead relies on rehabilitation and societal pressure to prevent crime (very anarchist).
It also has a non-interventionist foreign policy, striving to avoid imperialism and instead attempting to guide other civilizations towards their own betterment. The Culture series is a beautifully imagined and thought-provoking depiction of a communist society, and a great read for anyone interested in the topic. Consider space opera meeting anarcho-communism.
16 — Parable Of The Sower by Octavia E. Butler
Parable of the Sower is a science fiction novel written by Octavia Butler, a prominent African-American author known for her exploration of social and political themes.
Set in a dystopian future where the United States have collapsed, and the government is unable to provide for its citizens, the novel follows the journey of a young woman named Lauren who embarks on a mission to create a new society based on empathy, sustainability, and social justice.
While the novel is not explicitly communist, its themes of resistance against oppressive systems and building a more equitable world align with the goals and ideals of anarcho-communism. Butler’s writing is powerful and thought-provoking, making Parable of the Sower a fantastic read for anyone interested in socialist and anarchist ideas.
17 — Baltasar and Blimunda by José Saramago
Another essential book for anyone interested in communist fiction (and obligatory reading in Portuguese schools) is Baltasar and Blimunda. Written by José Saramago, a devoted communist and member of the Portuguese Communist Party, and published in 1982, the novel takes place in 18th century Portugal and follows the lives of the two main characters, Baltasar and Blimunda, poor peasants living under the absolutist rule of King João V. The novel is a poignant critique of the capitalist system, with the royal family, nobility, and clergy heavily criticized for their extravagance and wealth at the expense of the exploitation and suffering of the working class.
Saramago combines deep character and place descriptions with illustrations of the suffering and exploitation of the working class and social criticisms of capitalism. In addition to Baltasar and Blimunda, Saramago has written many other excellent books, including Raised from the Ground, which takes place during the time of the fascist dictatorship in Portugal and explores similar themes of class struggle and exploitation.
18 — Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
Chinua Achebe’s groundbreaking work Things Fall Apart deals with themes of anti-colonialism and resistance against the destruction of indigenous cultures by Western powers. It’s considered one of the most important and influential African novels of all time.
The story follows Okonkwo, a proud and ambitious member of the Igbo tribe in Nigeria, as he navigates the changes brought about by the arrival of British colonizers. Achebe’s powerful depiction of the impact of colonialism on traditional African society has made the book an essential read for anyone interested in issues of colonialism, racism, power, and resistance.
An important book for comprehending the cultural genocide committed by Europeans.
19 — The Ragged-Trousered Philanthropists by Robert Tressel
The Ragged-Trousered Philanthropists explores the moral reasoning behind socialism and exposes the flaws of capitalist ideology through the experiences of poverty-stricken painters and decorators in a fictional English town in the 1920s.
The book advocates for a socialist society in which work is done to meet the needs of all, rather than generate profit for a select few. One of the strengths of the book is the way it illustrates the insurmountable obstacles faced by the working class and the way it challenges capitalist dogma.
Despite being set in the past, the themes of the book are still highly relevant today and can be seen in the endless struggles of the working class in so-called ‘developed’ nations. I believe that anyone, regardless of their political beliefs, will be moved by this book.
20 — The Jungle by Upton Sinclair
The Jungle by Upton Sinclair is a novel that exposes the shocking corruption and exploitation of the meatpacking industry in the United States at the turn of the 20th century. The story follows the struggles of Lithuanian immigrant Jurgis and his family as they navigate the harsh realities of working in this industry.
One of the strengths of The Jungle is its ability to reveal the unsanitary and unethical practices of the meat industry and the plight of immigrants and the working class. The book ultimately played a crucial role in the passage of policies designed to improve food safety and working conditions in the US meat industry.
Even though it is set in the past, the themes of The Jungle remain highly relevant as they highlight the dangers of corporate greed and the importance of protecting the rights and safety of workers.
Honorable mentions
Everything by Victor Serge, a revolutionary Marxist and writer. Particularly The Case of Comrade Tulayev (1967), Conquered City (1975), and Midnight in the Century (1982).
Andromeda Nebula (1957) and Hour of the Bull (1968) by Ivan Yefremov, a Soviet paleontologist and science-fiction author.
Most works by H.G. Wells, a devoted socialist. Particularly, The Time Machine (1895), The War of the Worlds (1898), which is an allegory on imperialism and colonialism, and The Shape of Things to Come (1933), in which he depicts a Utopian world transformed by socialist ideals.
Almost everything Bertolt Brecht has written.
Well, I hope you found some new and exciting titles to add to your reading list. Remember that literature has the ability to challenge and transform our way of thinking, and these books are a testament to the enduring relevance of communist ideals. That’s also why I became a writer and wrote my humble novella. Everyone must contribute for the struggle will be long and full of terrors.
I’m author, writer, and activist Antonio Melonio, the creator of Beneath the Pavement. If you enjoyed this piece, please consider becoming a paid subscriber here on Substack or over on Patreon. It’s the best way to support Beneath the Pavement and help me put out more and higher-quality content.
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Thank you for this list! I definitely want to get round to reading the Dispossessed and the Parable of the Sower.