📣MEGASTRUCTURES📣
and Big Dumb Objects (BDO). Constructs or Objects that are terrifying and/or awe-inspiring, invoking a sense of mortality and fragility in you.
- Includes Labyrinthine Spaces as a subset for now.
created by Avalon
last updated June, 2026
Comments
These tend to show up mainly in sci-fi novels but I'm having a lot of fun working my brain thinking about Novels from other genres that have BDOs/ Megastructures. If its not artificial, also keen to hear about it still!
EDIT: If there are a lot of Labyrinthine spaces that don't quite hit the physical enormity and megastructure vibe quite right I might create another list to celebrate those books in especially (if it doesnt exist already which is very possible!)
EDIT2: Had a lot of great feedback on this post here on what people feel constitutes a Megastructure, and updated the descriptor of this list slightly!
The hitchhikers guide to the galaxy!! the planet builder thats the size of a planet and also earth computer LOLLL
AvalonOP
TRUE TRUE
Wooould you count Piranesi as a BDO book?
AvalonOP
That's actually a good shout! I'd say so, it fits the parameters while also introducing a book outside of Sci-Fi. Adding now
incredible, no notes 🤌
would house of leaves work for this kind of list?
AvalonOP
Thank you for the suggestion - I don’t know this book I’ll look into it now! It depends on whether it can be considered a physical structure of enormity or not (or is that part of the secret/interpretation?) what do you think?
the horror of house of leaves is buying a seemingly normal suburban house and the discovery of the enormity of space within the house. kind of like a tardis "bigger on the inside" but the space within the house is a horrifying labyrinth. i haven't fully finished the book but it's one of those in between spaces, but this list immediately reminded me of it.
Interesting, thanks for making this list.
I've wanted to read Blame! for ages!! This is an awesome niche list that I will probably try and read every book from.
AvalonOP
I was trying to find one and couldn't see anything so thought I'd make it myself. The world of Blame! is fantastic. They came out with a Netflix movie based some of the early volumes too - It wasn't the most amazing ofc but it did capture some of that megastructure overwhelm.
When you told us about the list, I thought you meant real buildings and structures 🤣 I was surprised when I saw the hitchhikers book 🤦🏻♀️
I love it!! This is fricken awesome!
Ooh, you should do a collab with Jay! Since you both like….objects 😜
AvalonOP
Well I mean they ARE real buildings and structures in their respective Worlds right?? I’m happy I get to introduce you to a new concept 😂 I would giggle if Jay took this list and just named it MEGASTRUCTURES (of a different kind) or something Jay-like 😵 🤭
You might like Coup de Grâce by Sofia Ajram, the main setting is an infinite Montreal subway station!
AvalonOP
Added!! What a cool concept!
