John Shirley's is a 2011 prequel novel that chronicles the rise and eventual collapse of the underwater city of Rapture, the setting for the first two BioShock video games. The story begins shortly after World War II, following industrialist Andrew Ryan as he builds a secret, "laissez-faire" utopia free from government and religious interference. The Ideology of Rapture

The book explores the philosophical foundation of the city—Ryan’s belief that individuals should be free to prosper without being hindered by the needs of others. This libertarian vision, heavily inspired by Objectivism, initially draws talented minds seeking total intellectual and scientific freedom. However, the novel highlights how this lack of regulation and "moral restrictions on science" ultimately leads to a dystopian nightmare. 200 Words or Less: Bioshock Rapture by John Shirley