The book is a speculative fiction novel set in a dystopian future New York City in the year 2025. It revolves around the lives of residents in a government-subsidized housing project known as 334, where the characters grapple with a range of social and personal issues in a society marked by overpopulation, eugenics, and a welfare state. The narrative is divided into interconnected stories that explore themes of reality versus illusion, the nature of happiness, and the impact of societal structures on individual lives. The novel presents a bleak and satirical vision of the future, characterized by dark humor and a complex portrayal of human resilience in the face of a dehumanizing system.

The 9836th greatest book of all time