Terms like “Big Brother,” “groupthink,” “thought police,” “dissent,” “Room 101,” and the phrase “Orwellian” have all been born together with 1984. Many call this book prophetic, and over the years, it has become even more relevant than it was when it was written. The premiere sparked intense controversy and fueled heated debates, with many left-wing politicians decrying the book as an assault on communism. As a result, it was banned in the USSR until 1988. Over the years, the novel's influence has only grown, leading to a rise in its sales. To date, more than 8 million copies have been sold, and it has been adapted for both stage and screen numerous times.
And yes, you are correct, this masterpiece is George Orwell's 1984.
"The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood is a dystopian masterpiece that paints a chilling vision of a future where women are deprived of their rights and forced into servitude. Welcome to the Republic of Gilead, a totalitarian theocracy. The story follows Offred, a Handmaid whose sole purpose is to bear children for the ruling elite. But maybe there is more to these woman than just their uterus and ovaries? Atwood's novel explores themes of gender inequality, reproductive rights, and the dangers of religious extremism. The book is a powerful warning about the potential consequences of societal regression.
"Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury
Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 presents a future where books are banned, and "firemen" burn any that are found. This is the world of TVs, not the printed sources of knowledge. Guy Montag, a fireman who initially enjoys his job, begins to question the value of his work as he meets a curious young woman named Clarisse McClellan. She challenges his beliefs and introduces him to the world of literature. As Montag becomes increasingly rebellious, he risks his life to protect books and challenge the oppressive regime. The book is a bright critique of censorship and the suppression of independent thought.
"Lord of the Flies" by William Golding
Lord of the Flies tells the story of a group of boys stranded on an uninhabited island. Initially, the boys attempt to establish a civilized society by electing a leader, creating rules, and building shelters. However, as time passes, the boys' innate savagery takes the lead. Jack, a charismatic and ruthless boy, challenges Ralph, the elected leader, for control of the island. Jack's desire for power and his primal instincts guide him to form a violent tribe. Meanwhile, Piggy, a gentle and intelligent boy, becomes increasingly marginalized. The island becomes a microcosm of society, sharply reflecting the inherent darkness within our human nature.
"Animal Farm" by George Orwell
All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others, aren’t they? In Animal Farm, George Orwell uses allegory to critique totalitarianism and the corrupting influence of power. It is another great masterpiece Orwell authored to address the danger of totalitarian countries. The story takes place on Manor Farm, where the animals, led by the wise old boar Major, decide to rebel against their human oppressors. After Major's death, two pigs, Snowball and Napoleon, become the leaders of the rebellion. Together, they establish Animal Farm, a society where all animals are equal. However, as time passes, Napoleon's ambition and ruthlessness become apparent. He manipulates the other animals, exiles Snowball, and establishes a totalitarian dictatorship.
"Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley
Aldous Huxley's Brave New World presents a society where happiness is enforced through technology and conditioning, contrasting sharply with Orwell's bleak outlook on totalitarianism. The story follows John, a young man from a savage reservation who is brought to the civilized world. John struggles to adapt to the consumerist and hedonistic society he is now part of. He is appalled by the lack of emotion, the superficial relationships, and the reliance on technology. He longs for a more meaningful existence and challenges the values of the Brave New World.
"Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick
Philip K. Dick's Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? questions the nature of humanity in a world where artificial beings mimic human emotions. Similar to 1984, this novel explores themes of identity and reality, as characters try to figure out what it means to be human under oppressive societal norms. Dick's blending of science fiction and philosophy provides a thought-provoking exploration of existence and autonomy.
"The Trial" by Franz Kafka
An innocent man has been arrested! This is how the first chapter of the book by the “secretly crowned king of German prose” begins. The Trial starts with a seemingly ridiculous situation. An innocent man is arrested without any explanation. The whole book is saturated with absurdity. Endless corridors of institutions, countless offices filled with people with blank stares, and never-ending queues. But do people really want them to end?
"Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro
In Never Let Me Go, Kazuo Ishiguro tells the story of students at a mysterious boarding school who incrementally reveal the unsettling purpose behind their upbringing. It is a haunting novel set in a dystopian future where human clones are created solely for the purpose of organ donation. The story follows Kathy H., a young woman who grew up in a boarding school with other clones. She and her friends are aware that one day they will be "donated," meaning their organs will be harvested to save the lives of others. As Kathy grows older, she becomes increasingly aware of the cruelty and injustice of her existence.
"The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins
Suzanne Collins's The Hunger Games depicts a society where children are forced to participate in a televised death match. Every year, two children from each district are selected to participate in the Hunger Games, a televised event where they must fight to the death until only one remains. Katniss Everdeen, a sixteen-year-old girl from District 12, volunteers to take her younger sister's place in the Games. She and Peeta Mellark, a baker's son from the same district, must navigate the treacherous arena and form alliances with other tributes while trying to stay alive.
"The Man in the High Castle" by Philip K. Dick
What if the Allies never won the WW2? The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick is an alternate history novel set in a world where the Axis powers won World War II. The story takes place in the United States, which is now divided between the Nazi-controlled Third Reich and the Japanese-occupied Pacific States. Juliana Frink, a woman from the Pacific States, becomes obsessed with a mysterious book called The Grasshopper, which she believes holds the key to understanding the alternate reality. On the other side, John Smith, a man living in the Third Reich, is drawn into the conspiracy after discovering a hidden tape recorder containing a message from the future. The tape reveals that the Axis powers were defeated in an alternate timeline and that the Nazis are planning to launch a nuclear attack.
"Parable of the Sower" by Octavia Butler
Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower is set in a future America that hardly addresses climate change, societal collapse, and economic hardship. The protagonist, Lauren Olamina, possesses a unique ability to feel the pain of others. As the world around her deteriorates, Lauren becomes increasingly determined to create a better future. She develops a new religion called Earthseed, based on the belief that humanity must leave Earth and colonize other planets to survive. Will she succeed, though?
"The Power" by Naomi Alderman
What if one day, one of the sexes got a supernatural power? In The Power, Naomi Alderman imagines a world where women develop the ability to emit electrical shocks. The novel follows a group of women from different backgrounds. There's Allie, a teenage girl from a troubled home who discovers her power and uses it to protect herself and her family. There's Tunde, a journalist who documents the rise of women's power and becomes a symbol of resistance. And there's Margot, a religious leader who interprets women's newfound abilities as a divine gift. As women gain control, the world is transformed. Governments collapse, social structures crumble, and traditional gender roles are reversed.
If you are interested in allegorical worlds that depict the troubles of our society, these picks are for you. Some are darker than the others, but all are profoundly eye-opening. Be prepared to look at the world from a fresh perspective. Because the first step toward changing the world is recognizing that it’s deeply flawed.
