Neal Stephenson's 'Snow Crash' is also quite complex. It combines elements of cyberpunk, linguistics, and ancient Sumerian mythology. The virtual world within the story, the Metaverse, has its own set of rules and hierarchies that are not easy to fully grasp at first.
One example could be 'Dune' by Frank Herbert. It has a complex political, ecological, and religious system. There are numerous factions vying for power on the desert planet Arrakis, and the spice melange is central to the economy and the power struggles. Another is 'Neuromancer' by William Gibson. It delved into complex concepts of cybernetics, artificial intelligence, and the blurring of the line between the human mind and the digital realm. And 'Hyperion' by Dan Simmons is also very complex, with a multi - layered narrative structure and a richly detailed universe filled with different species, time - traveling, and religious undertones.
Deep scientific concepts also contribute. 'Blindsight' by Peter Watts delves into neurology, consciousness, and alien intelligence in a way that is not easy to understand without careful thought. It challenges the reader's understanding of what it means to be sentient.
Read it multiple times. The first time you might get the general plot, but on subsequent reads, you can pick up on the details. For example, in 'Dune', the first read gives you the story of Paul Atreides, but later reads let you understand the Bene Gesserit's long - term plans and the deeper meaning of the Fremen's culture.
One popular complex science fiction book is 'Dune' by Frank Herbert. It has a detailed and intricate world - building with complex political, ecological, and religious systems. Another is 'Neuromancer' by William Gibson. It introduced the concept of cyberspace in a very complex and thought - provoking way. And 'Hyperion' by Dan Simmons also belongs to this category. It weaves together multiple storylines and complex characters in a science - fiction setting.
One of the most influential is '1984' by George Orwell. It presents a dystopian future where the government has extreme control over people's lives. Another is 'Brave New World' by Aldous Huxley, which also explores a society with strict control but in a different way. And 'Dune' by Frank Herbert is highly influential with its complex world - building, political intrigue, and exploration of environmental and religious themes.
One of the visual novels with complex routes is 'Fate/stay night'. It has multiple storylines and character routes that branch out in various ways, depending on the player's choices. For example, the Saber route is quite different from the Rin route, with different plot developments, character relationships, and endings.
A complex character in Dickens' novels is Mrs. Joe in 'Great Expectations'. She is Pip's sister and she is very strict and often cruel to Pip in his childhood. However, she also has her own backstory and reasons for her behavior. Another complex figure is Sydney Carton in 'A Tale of Two Cities'. He is a dissipated and self - loathing man at first, but in the end, he makes a great sacrifice which shows his underlying nobility and the complex nature of his character.
One of the most complex English novels is 'Ulysses' by James Joyce. It has a very intricate stream - of - consciousness narrative that can be quite challenging to follow. Another is 'Finnegans Wake' also by Joyce, with its complex language play and dense allusions. And 'Infinite Jest' by David Foster Wallace, which has a large cast of characters and complex themes.
Read it slowly. Complex science fiction books often have a lot of details and concepts. By taking your time, you can better absorb all the information. For example, in 'Dune', there are many terms related to the desert planet and its ecology. Reading slowly helps you understand these.