Metropolis

Metropolis, published in 1925, is a dystopian science fiction novel by Thea von Harbou, based on the screenplay for Fritz Lang’s landmark silent film. Set in a futuristic city divided between a wealthy elite and oppressed workers, the story follows Freder, the son of the city’s ruler, as he discovers the inhuman conditions underground and joins a movement for reconciliation. With themes of class struggle, technology, and redemption, Metropolis blends melodrama with visionary imagery. It remains a cornerstone of early science fiction.