A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess

Yet another futuristic dystopia, a la 1984 and Brave New World. But this one had good things to say. Burgess' crowning jewel was his fervent belief in free choice and free will. His main character temporarily loses the ability to do anything wrong against society in general. This drives him to an unsuccessful attempt at suicide. His autonomy is eventually restored to him and he reverts back to his former, extremely depraved, self.

However, Burgess ends with a provocative chapter that was apparently left out of the orginal American version of the book. In the true ending, the main character reaches the age of eighteen, and he begins to lose the desire to indulge in antisocial behavior. He runs into a newly married acquaintance and discovers he wants the same for himself. He reflects, and realizes his would-be son would follow in his footsteps as an inevitable part of youth. The end.

Of course, that perhaps lends itself to the interpretation that depravity is merely a childhood attribute that one eventually grows out of. Obviously, that does not hold true. Still, Burgess' commentary on free will is important. Free will, the choice to do what ones wants, is imperative in a functioning society. Otherwise, citizens would be robots subject to the whims of the governing authorities. And that would not be a good thing.