Top 14 Books Like Black Mirror Updated 04 /2024

Netflix has released the fifth season of Charlie Brooker's dystopian drama Black Mirror. Fans of the cult classic show will enjoy these nine books because they feature the dark and enthralling stories from the same source material.

The Last One by Alexandra Oliva

As part of an adventure-seeking reality show, Zoo competes against eleven other participants in a series of survival tasks that take place in the wilderness. Contestants are then subjected to mind games, where they are haunted by gruesome props and abandoned towns. It's possible, however, that these aren't even games. Is it possible that the contestants' survival isn't guaranteed because of something else in the world?

The One by John Marrs

Is Tinder still necessary in the modern world? For the purpose of meeting people on a blind date? For broken relationships? There's only one mouth swab required in John Marrs' novel, The One, to discover the one person you were born to be with. It's possible that the person with whom you're matched is harboring the darkest secret of all.

The Peripheral by William Gibson

The author ofNeuromancer presents the story of two characters, one of whom, Flynne, is drawn into freelance online game-playing that takes her on a journey into the future. At that point she meets Wilf, a man who lives in an area where the haves rule and there aren't many who don't.

Inside Black Mirror by Charlie Brooker, Annabel Jones and Jason Arnopp

Inside Black Mirror is the official illustrated book for one of the most popular cult TV shows. It has taken five seasons of Black Mirror to build up a devoted following and serve as a dystopian parable for today's societal and political ills. Everything from the origins of the series to Charlie Brooker's thoughts are included in the official book. If you've been a long-time fan, this is a must-have companion.

Irresistible by Adam Alter

Adam Alter's exploration of society's current obsession with media and technology, made inescapable by the phones in our pockets, will delight fans of the Season 3 episode starring Bryce Dallas Howard. Using fascinating stories and cutting-edge science, Alter explores how and why we all became addicted to the internet.

Dark Tales by Shirley Jackson

This ability to create believable worlds that mirror our own while introducing an element of twisted darkness is what makesBlack Mirrorso brilliant. A series of deliciously dark tales about suburbia and the rotten core hidden behind its manicured lawns and picket fences by Shirley Jackson achieves this magnificently.

Goodhouse by Peyton Marshall

It's not a prison at Goodhouse. Boys who have genetic markers that identify them as individuals with the potential for violent and criminal behavior will remain in Goodhouse until they turn 18, at which point attempts will be made to 'fix' them, despite the presence of dogs, guards, tracking devices, and reinforced fences. Goodhouse is a must-read for Black Mirror fans, with a plot that sounds like something straight out of an episode.

True Names by Vernor Vinge

As a reissue of Penguin World's classic cyberpunk novel True Names, the story of Mr Slippery, an illegal computer hacker and virtual reality expert, is told. Mr Slippery is pitted against an international cybercriminal in this classic cyberpunk tale. For those who are curious about the origins of science fiction, this is the book for you.

All Our Wrong Todays by Elan Mastai

To Tom Barren, Elan Mastai tells the story of a man who hails from a utopian society where all of man's problems have been solved by technology. Having lost the girl of his dreams, Tom decides to use his time travel abilities to bring her back. This causes Tom to find himself in an alternate reality that we can identify as our2016. All Our Wrong Todaysis a welcome addition to the time-travel genre, bitingly funny and full of mind-bending science and unexpected moments of hope.

The Continent of Lies By James Morrow

Dreams have been transformed into "Choose Your Own Adventure" stories thanks to the "cephapple" technology. Unfortunately, one of the cephapple-bearing trees has been taken over by a hacker, enslaving its users to nightmares worse than any acid trip. A reviewer of cephapple experiences, Qianjin, is not happy about this, so he sets out to destroy the fruit with his dreamweaver girlfriend, robot, and other oddball companions. In "Playtest," from Black Mirror's third season, the dangers of augmented reality were examined, and The Continent of Lies touches on those themes.

Buying Time By Joe Haldeman

Forgotten science fiction gem from the author of The Forever War about a world that has been transformed by a medical breakthrough. The Stileman Process, which can only be afforded by the super-wealthy, grants its recipients eternal youth. While trying to raise money for his next medical procedure, Dallas meets up with an old friend, Maria. When they work together to uncover the evil plans of the Process' creators, they take on the system to save their lives. It's possible that Joe Haldeman's "world of mind-boggling technology" may remind readers of "Hang the DJ's" Amy and Frank.

Scissors Cut Paper Wrap Stone By Ian McDonald

Ethan developed a "fracter," a digital image that has the power to inspire people to do good deeds or bad deeds, as a student of graphic design. To ensure that Ethan could carry out their plan, an intelligence agency had Ethan's masterpiece tattooed on his hands with powerful images. Ethan is now on a journey of redemption across Japan, and he is grappling with his past sins, wondering if there is still a chance to turn evil into good. In a world where people gain "aspects"—or different personalities—as they encounter new life experiences, you can also get a bonus novella with the digital edition of Scissors Cut Paper Wrap Stone.

Nunquam By Lawrence Durrell

Fans of "Be Right Back," starring Domhnall Gleeson from Star Wars and Hayley Atwell from Agent Carter, will enjoy this one. Felix Charlock returns to work after being released from a mental institution and is hired by the powerful firm in Nunquam's best-selling predecessor, Tunc. It's his latest project to build an android in the likeness of his deceased movie star lover. A literary take on the Frankenstein myth, Durrell's tale is jam-packed with allegories about the differences between humans and machines, as well as scathing observations about the state of modern science.

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