Dystopian fiction has had a grip on readers for decades by bringing our deepest fears about the future to life. This genre includes futuristic world-building ranging from totalitarian regimes to apocalyptic societal collapse. Dystopian fiction is particularly thought-provoking because it allows us to explore the human condition in different versions of the worst-case scenario. Whether you’re new to dystopian fiction or a long-time fan, these five novels are a must-read if you’re interested in the genre. Before the recommendations, let’s get a little background on dystopian fiction.
Where did dystopian fiction come from?
The term “dystopia” was first coined by philosopher John Stuart Mill in 1868. His use of the term dystopia was a reworking of the title of Thomas More’s Utopia in 1516, which described an impractical and unrealistic perfect world. Unsurprisingly, the concept of dystopia can be traced back to philosophical origins. The connection between dystopia and philosophy is evident in later iterations of worlds within the dystopian fiction genre, as these stories often explore philosophical questions about the ideal society. For this reason, dystopian fiction often attracts readers with a taste for thought experiments and philosophical debates.
What is Dystopia and what are the Features of Dystopian Fiction?
According to the Cambridge Dictionary, dystopia is defined as “a very bad or unfair society in which there is a lot of suffering…” Dystopian fiction depicts a world with these negative attributes where a critical flaw of a societal structure (or lack thereof) serves as a literary device for the story. These negative features of a dystopian world can include totalitarian regimes, political unrest, social disparity, plague, and environmental disaster. Because we arguably can learn the most about the human condition from human suffering, dystopian fiction often provides an interesting tool to explore the nature of humanity.
With so much potential for dystopian worlds, there are so many dystopian novels to choose from. These are my top 5 dystopian novels that do the best job of exploring the human condition.
1. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World is a classic dystopian work that portrays a society in which the elites influence and control citizens to the point of scientific fascism. Ideas around social hierarchy and psychological control are explored through Huxley’s creation of a scientifically advanced future. Originally published in 1932, the influences of fascism’s rise to power at the time of its writing are evident. Brave New World asks questions about how far an authoritarian government will go to establish and maintain control over its citizens. This novel highlights humanity’s desire to maintain simple freedoms even in the worst of circumstances.
2. 1984 by George Orwell
A statement on surveillance culture and totalitarianism, 1984 by George Orwell, is ahead of its time in many ways. Originally published in 1949, this dystopian novel portrays a world where every citizen is surveilled by the government. Furthermore, the citizens of this government are encouraged to surveil each other and report any transgressions to the authorities. This pressure to out one’s comrades creates a tumultuous dynamic between characters. “Big brother,” a now common term used to criticize governments who violate the rights and privacy of their citizens, was initially coined by Orwell in this novel. The constant reminder that “Big Brother is watching” creates a sense of constant unease for the citizens in 1984. This is a classic and a must-read for fans of dystopian fiction as well as readers interested in sociology and political science.
3. The Handmade’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
Perhaps one of the most prolific pieces of feminist dystopian fiction, Margaret Atwood’s The Handmade’s Tale serves as a warning about the obstruction of women’s rights in a patriarchal society. This dystopian speculative fiction novel blurs the line between religion and totalitarianism and is potentially more relevant in today’s world than it was in 1985 when it was published. In this patriarchal hellscape, Atwood explores issues around body autonomy, reproductive rights, and feminine camaraderie. This book is a classic in the dystopian fiction genre, and it’s a must-read for aspiring enemies of the patriarchy. The Handmaid’s Tale was adapted into an award-winning TV series in 2016 and received high praise. The story was prolific enough to stand the test of time and be successfully adapted into film format, which is always a sign of high-quality fiction.
4. I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman
Originally published in French in 1995, Jacqueline Harpman’s I Who Have Never Known Men follows a nameless woman who is held prisoner along with 39 other women under ambiguous circumstances. None of the women know how they’ve ended up in an underground bunker patrolled by totalitarian guards. Unlike her fellow cellmates, the main character knows no other life outside the bunker and has no memory of her life before. The story takes a turn, and the women must work together to survive in a lonely world that is foreign and familiar at the same time. This book compiles everything I love about dystopian fiction. At the risk of being deeply dramatic, I’ll refrain from going into details as to the various ways in which this story ripped my heart open. I’ll simply tell you that I would recommend this book to anyone and will be reading it over and over for the rest of my life.
5. The Road by Cormac McCarthy
The most recently published story on this list, The Road by Cormac McCarthy, quickly gained traction in the dystopian and post-apocalyptic genres since its publishing in 2006. This award-winning dystopian fiction novel was adapted into a film in 2009. While the film was excellent and captured much of the disparity described in the book, the story in novel form is unmatched. In classic Cormac McCarthy fashion, his blunt prose and brutal descriptions capture the bleakness of a post-apocalyptic world. After the world has burned down and illness has plagued seemingly all of civilization, those who have survived are left to pick up what they can carry and travel along the road in hopes of finding a new beginning. The desperation and violence that runs rampant in this unfamiliar world and the humanity that remains between father and son despite it all is equal parts heartbreaking and heartwarming. The Road is one of the most intimate displays of the human condition I’ve encountered in the dystopian fiction genre. Cormac McCarthy outdid himself with this absolute work of art.
Dystopian fiction is arguably one of the most thought-provoking and philosophically rich genres out there. Authors of this genre have pushed the boundaries of what we know to be true and understand about our world. Despite the intensity and bleakness of this genre’s themes, these stories allow us to peer into the humanity that remains even when all appears to be lost. The space for reflection and contemplation this genre allows is unmatched by other genres. With such a wide range of interpretations of the genre, there’s a version of dystopian fiction for everyone out there.
Let me know what your favorite dystopian novel is in the comments below. If you’ve had the opportunity to read any of the books included in this list, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Do you have a dystopian novel you feel is missing from this list? Share your recommendations in the comments below!
If you enjoyed these recommendations and are a fan of dystopian fiction, feel free to check out 5 Speculative Fiction Novels You Need to Read for additional recommendations.
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