The Unit, Ninni Holmqvist (2009) — In this dystopian near future, laws have been passes that make women at age 50 and men at age 60, dispensable. Those haven't proven their value to society by both falling in love and having children become organ donors for the needed people. Dispensables are subjected to experiments and donations until their death. See my review.
Notable in the context of vegan fiction, one of protagonist Dorrit Weger's biggest regrets and concerns about being moved to The Unit is that she has to give up her beloved Border Collie. Her loving relationship with the dog isn't considered.
Never Let Me Go, Kazuo Ishiguro (2005) — A most heart-breaking book. In this dystopian near future England, child clones are raised at an "elite school" until they come of age and are ready to begin making their donations. Less fortunate clones are raised on farms, but all come to the same end.
Naturally, the 2010 movie is not as good as the book. It doesn't create the same tension and curiosity as it unfolds. However, the tragic love story affected me as deeply. Whenever I want to weep, all I have to do is listen to Rachel Portman's soundtrack to the film.
Compare with: Don LePan's Animals
MaddAddam Trilogy — Oryx and Crake (2004), The Year of the Flood (2009), MaddAddam (2013), Margaret Atwood — There's much to appreciate about these first two tandem post-apocalyptic novels with environmental vegan themes. The stories follow the paths of three main characters (Oryx, Jimmy, and Glenn in Oryx and Crake and Amanda, Ren, and Toby in The Year of the Flood) to tell the story of an apocalypse and its survivors. Oryx and Crake focuses on life in the elite Compounds of scientists intent on controlling nature and primarily follows male perspectives and trials. The Year of The Flood takes us to the pleeblands and the religious sect of God's Gardeners devoted to preserving and revering nature and women's voices and trials.
Memorable scene: Oryx and Crake notably predicts the solution of genetically-engineered, lab-grown meat with Atwood's infamous ChickieNobs
Pre-order: MaddAddam, the third book in this trilogy, comes out in September.
Frankenstein, Mary Shelly (1818) — A mad scientist has the hubris to undertake to create life. It is then hunted and feared. Who remembers this: The monster is vegetarian.
Quote: "My food is not that of man; I do not destroy the lamb and the kid, to glut my appetite; acorns and berries afford me sufficient nourishment. My companion will be of the same nature as myself, and we will be content with the same fare. We shall make our bed of dried leaves; the sun will shine on us as on man, and will ripen our food. The picture I present to you is peaceful and human."
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