I’m a slow reader, so I haven’t read a ton of books in my life, but out of the ones I have read, Sea of Glass by Barry Longyear is probably the most intelligent, moving, and resonant. It’s so great, I’m surprised almost no one has heard of it.

Thomas Windom has been confined to his house since birth, but one day, he opens a window and sees the outside world. MAC III, a supercomputer that has implemented a brutal population control policy to preserve humanity’s future, governs the planet. When he puts his head out the window, Thomas is immediately caught by the authorities. His parents are executed, and Thomas is put in what is essentially a concentration camp for illegal children. As he grows up, he rebels against MAC III while trying to forge a somewhat normal and happy life.

Longyear presents the story from Thomas’ point of view and records his thoughts, feelings and memories in great detail. The first 20 pages establish Thomas’s innocent outlook and the love of his parents. Needless to say, when he and his family are caught, it is terrifying and devastating.

This use of perspective makes Sea of Glass a much more emotional experience than 1984 and Fahrenheit 451. Unlike Guy Montag and Winston Smith, who start out in positions of security in their respective structures, Thomas begins in a normal, loving family environment, one we can all understand. When he goes outside, we’re not just introduced to the story’s world but to its antagonists.

From sadistic prison guards to a draconian police force, the world’s horror is shown firsthand and at some points in rather gruesome detail.

Sea of Glass is probably one of the greatest dystopian novels out there and deserves a full-blown revival. It truly is an undiscovered gem.

I give Sea of Glass an outstanding 10 out of 10.