Metropolis

Metropolis by Thea von Harbou immerses readers in a futuristic city of the twenty-second century, where a privileged elite lives above ground while exploited workers toil in dark underground tunnels. Freder, the son of the ruler Joh Fredersen, is horrified to discover the inhumane conditions endured by the workers. His encounter with Maria, a symbol of peaceful resistance, inspires him to act as a mediator between the two classes.

The inventor Rotwang creates a robot in Marias image to manipulate the masses and incite a violent revolution. As the city descends into chaos, Freder strives to rescue children from flooding and expose the deception. The novel explores themes of dehumanization through technology, class struggle, and the hope for reconciliation through love.

This classic of German science fiction, which inspired Fritz Langs iconic film, remains a visionary work of dystopian literature. It offers a timeless critique of industrialization and social division, while fitting naturally into the tradition of political speculative fiction. Book categories such as classic science fiction, dystopian fiction, and German literature are subtly highlighted in this enduring novel.