Best dystopian books
The Handmaid's Tale
What is The Handmaid's Tale about?
Are you interested in dystopian novels and totalitarian regimes? Margaret Atwood’s "The Handmaid’s Tale" is set in a future where environmental disasters and declining birth rates have led to the rise of the Republic of Gilead. Gilead enforces strict social roles: fertile women become Handmaids to bear children for the country's commanders. You will learn the customs and laws of Gilead following the female protagonist, Offred.
Never Let Me Go
What is Never Let Me Go about?
Kathy and her friends Ruth and Tommy are students of a seemingly nice boarding school called Hailsham that hides a dark mystery. You’ll explore their world through Kathy’s perspective, diving deep into her experiences and choices. Partly a coming-of-age story and science fiction, it poignantly explores the themes of conformity and free will.
The Man in the High Castle
What is The Man in the High Castle about?
Imagine the world, where the Axis powers won World War II, and United States are occupied by Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan. While this sounds harrowing, such «what-if» story explores the depth of human nature – with some accepting such fate and collaborating, and others – fighting for a better world. Every character has their personal motives, and you start noticing the humanity even behind the awful things people do.
1984
What is 1984 about?
Power. Control. Are you the one having it or being controlled by it? George Orwell’s "1984" depicts a totalitarian regime that controls every aspect of life. Winston Smith despises this system and goes against it. Will he get freedom or be devoured by the regime?
Lord of the Flies
What is Lord of the Flies about?
Being stranded on a remote island sounds like a fascinating adventure. But it turns into a nightmare for the characters of "Lord of the Flies." Creating a society from scratch breeds fear, violence, and, finally, chaos. The feeling of hopelessness pervades the characters' thoughts, leaving them afraid and unsatisfied with the freedom they used to want.
The Hunger Games
What is The Hunger Games about?
One of the favorite works of YA fiction fans, this book paints the dystopian world of Panem, where the children from 12 districts have to participate in The Hunger Games. When her younger sister Prim gets selected as a tribute, Katniss Everdeen volunteers to participate instead. She will have to survive in the system designed to kill people like her for the entertainment of the elite.
Fahrenheit 451
What is Fahrenheit 451 about?
Could you think of a fireman burning something instead of putting out the fire? Guy Montag from "Fahrenheit 451" is a fireman who burns books, which are illegal. His monotonous life changes upon meeting Clarisse, a curious young neighbor. Will Clarisse change Montag or disappear from his life soon after entering it?
Brave New World
What is Brave New World about?
Aldous Huxley’s "Brave New World" is a masterpiece that will definitely make you think and tremble. Are you just a common person who must remain obedient in a society controlled through technology, genetic engineering, and drugs? The characters in "Brave New World" have no other choice but do we?
Parable of the Sower
What is Parable of the Sower about?
"Parable of the Sower" is a dystopian novel is the speculative depiction of 2024, where United States are ravaged by climate change and disintegrating social order. This novel follows the journey of Lauren, a teenage girl with the gift of hyperempathy – feeling the pain of others. Lauren forms a religion called Earthseed, sharing it with others and striving to navigate the uncertain world.
Divergent
What is Divergent about?
In a future Chicago divided by virtues, Beatrice Prior — Tris — makes a choice that changes everything. She leaves her selfless family in Abnegation to join the daring Dauntless, a faction where courage is everything. But Tris is Divergent, someone who doesn’t fit neatly into one category, and that makes her dangerous.
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
What is Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? about?
Written in 1968, "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep" depicts the year 2021. It shows the aftermath of a devastating world war that has killed millions and caused mass extinctions. As we can see, it hasn't happened yet. Still, we can't deny some things that used to be fantastic in 1968 but are a reality today, like robotic animals and humanlike androids.
Animal Farm
What is Animal Farm about?
Do you want to read something timeless? "Animal Farm" tells about a dream of a utopia free from oppression and its epic meltdown. When first published, it was seen as a critique of Stalinist Russia. And almost 80 years later, its message still applies to some modern situations. Can power really corrupt even the noblest intentions?
The Fifth Season
What is The Fifth Season about?
How do you survive in a world that’s constantly trying to kill you? "The Fifth Season" unfolds in a dying land where apocalyptic earthquakes, or "Seasons," are routine. Jemisin weaves together three gripping narratives—one about a mother on a desperate search, another about a girl learning to wield dangerous powers, and a third about a woman grappling with the world’s cruel hierarchy. With its bold structure and powerful themes of oppression, survival, and resilience, this Hugo Award-winning novel doesn’t just tell a story, it shifts how you see the world.
Delirium
What is Delirium about?
Has love ever made you feel miserable, and you dreamt of curing this "disease?" It's the reality for Lauren Oliver's characters in "Delirium." Yet one of them experiences love, and her life turns upside down. Will she be alone in her fight against the system?
The Maze Runner
What is The Maze Runner about?
In his novel "The Maze Runner," James Dashner writes: “If you ain’t scared… you ain’t human.” And the characters of this novel are definitely scared, though they keep on running to survive. Will they ever get out of the maze or be its eternal slaves?
The Selection
What is The Selection about?
"The Selection" by Kiera Cass is the opening book in a five-part series. It's set in a dystopian world where young women compete to win the love of a prince. The story centers on America Singer, a girl selected to take part in the Selection, a reality TV-style contest to become the next princess.Will she win the prince's heart?
Unwind
What is Unwind about?
"Unwind" by Neal Shusterman takes place in a dark future. After the Second Civil War, a new law allows parents to send their children, aged 13 to 18, to be "unwound." This means their bodies are taken apart, and their organs and tissues are used for transplants. The children are sent to special camps where this process happens, but the government says they aren’t really dead because their body parts keep living in other people.
The Giver
What is The Giver about?
"The Giver" by Lois Lowry starts as a story without pain and conflict. But is good possible without evil? And how long could such a perfect society exist until somebody wants to break free? Follow the 12-year-old protagonist, Jonas, and find out.
Battle Royale
What is Battle Royale about?
The dark dystopian book "Battle Royale" by Japanese author Koushun Takami takes you to Japan, ruled by a fictional fascist government. In order to realize their dictatorial ambitions, the people in power force children to fight each other to the death. Is it possible to survive in this harsh reality and preserve morality, friendship, and love?
The Trial
What is The Trial about?
Kafka’s legendary work tells a story of Josef K, arrested for a crime he did not commit and cannot get any information about. Prosecuted by a faceless and unfair system, the protagonist is left alone to make sense of his situation. "The Trial" is considered one of the classic depictions of bureaucracy, provoking thought and engrossing the readers.
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