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Overview
Dystopian fiction is a genre that takes on many other forms: post-apocalyptic, sci-fi, literary, fantasy, and so much more—varied beyond the few dystopian classics (think: Orwell, Vonnegut, Bradbury) that people are most familiar with.
This challenge consists of books that fit the dystopian bill, but differ a bit in length, style, and themes to give a well-rounded peek into the exciting genre. All books are standalone; if it's part of a series, it can be read on its own. Trying this challenge in the assigned order is highly recommended.
Please be mindful of each work's content warnings.
This challenge consists of books that fit the dystopian bill, but differ a bit in length, style, and themes to give a well-rounded peek into the exciting genre. All books are standalone; if it's part of a series, it can be read on its own. Trying this challenge in the assigned order is highly recommended.
Please be mindful of each work's content warnings.
A Contemporary Intro to Dystopian Fiction
21 participants (6 books)
Overview
Dystopian fiction is a genre that takes on many other forms: post-apocalyptic, sci-fi, literary, fantasy, and so much more—varied beyond the few dystopian classics (think: Orwell, Vonnegut, Bradbury) that people are most familiar with.
This challenge consists of books that fit the dystopian bill, but differ a bit in length, style, and themes to give a well-rounded peek into the exciting genre. All books are standalone; if it's part of a series, it can be read on its own. Trying this challenge in the assigned order is highly recommended.
Please be mindful of each work's content warnings.
This challenge consists of books that fit the dystopian bill, but differ a bit in length, style, and themes to give a well-rounded peek into the exciting genre. All books are standalone; if it's part of a series, it can be read on its own. Trying this challenge in the assigned order is highly recommended.
Please be mindful of each work's content warnings.
Challenge Books
1
Their Vicious Games
Joelle Wellington
Start with this contemporary YA thriller. If you liked the premise of The Hunger Games, you'll like this one! Easy-to-read and addicting, the novel explores themes of racial and class oppression.
2
Our Missing Hearts
Celeste Ng
Continue with themes of racial oppression, with added explorations of censorship, cultural memory, and generational trauma. While still contemporary in style, it's a shift to a more literary tone.
3
The Memory Police
Yōko Ogawa
We're on a literary kick. Here's a novel that may subvert your expectations of what the dystopian genre looks like. It explores Orwellian themes: erosion of personal freedoms, mass surveillance, and censorship—in very different style.
4
The Handmaid's Tale
Margaret Atwood
Tone shift alert: while still maintaining a literary style with an exploration of Orwellian themes, this novel depicts explicit scenes of gender-based and sexual violence.
5
Tender Is the Flesh
Agustina Bazterrica
A short read that may be difficult to stomach—with graphic violence, gore, and sexual violence.
6
Station Eleven
Emily St. John Mandel
Let's wrap up with a palate cleanser. Be mindful that this book still contains depictions of violence and other dark themes. However, it also addresses the role of art in reshaping a post-apocalyptic society, told in the style of a Shakespearean tragedy.
7
(bonus)
The Stepford Wives
Ira Levin
Ready for classics? Here's a short read to get you in the mindset. Subtle yet horrifying, this novella depicts gender-based violence in the reality of a total patriarchal society.
8
(bonus)
1984
George Orwell
You've worked out those dystopian muscles. Now, try picking up the timeless classic that comes to mind when you think of this genre—whether it's a re-read or new read.