You might ask, What is dystopia? The definition provided on Wikipedia is: A dystopia is the idea of a society in a repressive and controlled state, often under the guise of being utopian. I think that states it pretty well. There is just something that draws you in - controversy, moral issues, just a lot of thinking involved. They are not usually a calm, sedate read!
I knew I liked dystopian novels, but I didn't realized just how much, until I started reading more and more of them. I think the first one I remember reading was The Giver by Lois Lowry.
I recently ran across a wonderful infographic The Dystopian Timeline to The Hunger Games on Goodreads. You'll want to check it out.
There are many lists out there with great dystopian titles. Here are a few you might want to explore:
Favorites in the YA Dystopian Genre
If you've read any good dystopian novels, please share them in the comments below!
If you've read any good dystopian novels, please share them in the comments below!
My favorite is the classic Brave New World. I also love We, by Yevgeniy Ivanovich Zamyatin, which I read in my Modern Russian Literature class my junior year of university. Besides being a criminally-overlooked dystopia, it's also notable for being possibly the most un-Russian Russian novel most people can think of. Except for a bust of Pushkin in the Ancient House and some elderly women who fit the stereotype of a Russian grandmother, there is absolutely nothing in the book to mark it as being the product of a Russian. It's a shame to me, as a passionate Russophile, but it might make the book seem more accessible to other people.
ReplyDeleteI've added them to books to look at. Thank you so much. I love finding those books that are overlooked or not at the top of the charts too.
DeleteNineteen Eighty Four is an obvious one, I know, but it's still my favourite. I really need to check out The Hunger Games though - if seems like everyone in the world has read it but me.
ReplyDeleteLove the Must Have Dystopians list! That's my Spring reading sorted! ;-)
I really enjoyed Nineteen Eighty Four. I read that one in high school. I was so happy to find that list. Funny thing is, many were already on my to-read list!!
DeleteI read the hunger games last year and I was just wowed by the story. I can'T wait to watch the movies. Oh thanks for the dystopia list. I read Delirium, which is completely different from Hunger Games. So, yeah Dystopian books are fun. Read When Copper Suns fall as well, different because it has angels in it :) interesting timeline. Makes me want to go get all those books and read them. Insect overlords sounds 'ugh'..LOL
ReplyDeleteWhen Copper Suns fall sounds like a good one. I've now added it to my list. I have bought Delirium, but have not read it yet. I have seen lots of good reviews for it.
DeleteI am hoping to go see Hunger Games next week while on Spring Break.
Great post. I read The Hunger Games last week but other than that haven't read too many dystopian novels except Margaret Atwood's Handmaid's Tale. I'll check out the links above and introduce myself to a few more :)
ReplyDeleteOHH! I have heard so many good things about Handmaid's Tale. I have it on my list, and hope to get to it soon.
Deletewant to read one of these--thanks!!
ReplyDeleteOkay, I am totally checking out the D timeline to Hunger Games. Awesome. Thx for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI loved Delirium/Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver and Starters by Lissa Price. They were all fast paced, amazing reads!
ReplyDelete