8 of the Greatest Books about Dystopian Futures
Posted on Friday, August 31st, 2012
There are a number of dystopian books available; most of them have been classed as science fiction. But before you go and purchase one of these books, it’s important to understand what dystopian novels are about.
The dictionary states that ‘dystopian’ means “an imaginary place or state in which the condition of life is extremely bad, as from deprivation, oppression or terror”. Often, the subject matter of these books revolves around a society controlled under a repressive social control. Here’s a look at some of the finest examples of sci-fi literature about dystopian futures.
Worldshaker, Richard Harland
Worldshaker is a dystopian novel written by Richard Harland. The book is based on an upper class boy that falls in love with a lower class girl. Worldshaker is the ship the boy lives on and he is destined to take over, this ship is powered by the lower class that lives below deck. When a girl hides in his room, they fall in love and together they learn the truth about the world they live in and start a war which changes the lives of everyone on board.
Fahrenheit 451, Roy Bradbury
Fahrenheit 451 is a book by Roy Bradbury and centres around Guy Montag, a fire-fighter. He is not a fire-fighter that we know today, but rather one based in a dystopian world where books are banned and the firemen are men that are responsible for burning the books so people can’t think of themselves or have an opinion. The homes are fireproofed, but when they are suspected of having even one book, they are burned to the ground. The story evolves when Montag reads a book and starts thinking for himself. People found reading or suspected of reading are not judged, but immediately found guilty. This book is believed to be interpreted from historical book burning.
Brave New World, Aldous Huxley
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley was published in 1932 and is about a futuristic society what lives with pleasure without any moral repercussions. The society is dependent and the book reveals the evils of a successful society believing that combined together they are working for the greater good. This is a highly controversial novel because it goes against any beliefs that technology can save us in the future.
Nineteen Eighty-Four, George Orwell
Nineteen Eighty-Four was published in 1949 written by George Orwell and one of the most controversial books which was banned in Russia, UK and the USA due to its communist and sexual content.
The book is about a society terrorised by a group called The Party, they are forced to live according to the group’s ideology. A society of war, government surveillance and mind control where past newspaper articles are written to change historical records.
Demolition Man, Richard Osborn
Demolition Man by Richard Osborn is set in a futuristic society where Los Angeles has become a war zone. The story is based in 2032 where police are constantly watching society, where people don’t have much of a say and are forced to comply with the police state. The police don’t need guns until Phoenix escapes, a prisoner who has been held in stasis since 1996. The only person who can save them is Spartan, a cop who was arrested falsely and also placed in a sleep state for years. Using traditional guns and force the story evolves.
The Handmaids Tale, Margaret Atwood
This novel by Margaret Atwood in 1985 this novel is set in a futuristic society where a group has taken over the US government. The society is homophobic, male chauvinist and military run causing severe degradation of the country. Women are kept as concubines until a woman finds out about an underground organization set to overthrown the current group.
The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins
A highly popular futuristic novel written by Suzanne Collins and set in a post-apocalyptic world and written in the voice of a sixteen year old. Based in a highly advanced city the Hunger Games is an annual lottery where boys and girls are drawn to fight to the death on national television as entertainment.
The Iron Heel, Jack London
The Iron Heel by Jack London is believed to be the only novel by this author where his true socialist views are displayed. Based on the “Everhard Manuscript”, this novel is written from a scholar’s perspective with Oligarchy as the Iron Heel who has powered over three centuries of revolution. It covers oppression and socialist movements and is a story within a story that is about the past, present and future.
Article contributed by PrinterInks.com – online sellers of printer cartridges all over the UK and Europe.
