The 16 Best Dystopian Books Of All Time
Dystopian novels—stories of the horrific future—are so common as to be almost forgettable. Here is a compilation of what I believe are the 16 greatest of the genre. I could happily list twice as many that are amazing, but these are the best. From the post-apocalyptic wasteland to deadly viruses to social malaise, all possible bad futures end here.
16. That Hideous Strength by CS Lewis
Best known for his Narnia novels, CS Lewis also wrote a trilogy dealing with visiting other planets—well the first two books did. The third was about preventing the evil forces of industrialization and progressive thought from taking over England. It was also grossly misogynistic. It seems Lewis was a big fan of the “women belong in the kitchen” mindset. For all its occasional stodginess and backwards, it is, at times, still a rousing piece about the difficulties of modernity, and the damage it can do the world around you.
15. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
Wow, can you get more polar opposite of CS Lewis than Margaret Atwood? Despite her protestations of not writing science fiction, her story of a dystopian future where almost all women are infertile is most assuredly of the genre. Set in a future where disease and radiation have reduced fertility to a minimum, and a fascist military theocracy has taken over America (or at least part of it). Brutal in its critique of evangelist Christianity and their view on women, Handmaid’s Tale is a harrowing read at the best of times. In it, women have essentially been reduced to chattels, and the few fertile ones assigned to high-ranking military men in order to give them children.
14. The Sword of Spirits trilogy by John Christopher
While perhaps not as well known as some, John Christopher (the pen name of Samuel Youd) wrote a fantastic trilogy of young adult novels, set in a far future where the world has reverted to a feudal society after a global ecological disaster. This was the same pen name under which Youd wrote the excellent Tripods trilogy, but in my opinion the Sword of Spirits remains a greater work. His world building and subtle hints at the past are unparalleled. It’s not even hinted at for most of the first novel, instead just stranding you in what seems to be a standard fantasy stereotype.
13. World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks
This novel, combined with Brooks’ Zombie Survival Guide are all you need to face the inevitable zombie apocalypse. They’ll teach you well. While the survival guide was exactly that, WWZ was presented as an oral history, an account taken for the UN by the survivors of the horrors of zombies. Brooks did a huge amount of research for this novel, and approached it as a realistic governmental, technological and political take on what would happen if the dead really did rise. It is, without a doubt, an utterly terrifying concept, and Brooks approaches it with aplomb, showing us what a world partly overrun by the risen dead would be like.
12. V for Vendetta by Alan Moore and David Lloyd
I’m sure by now everyone’s seen the movie version of this classic comic, and I hate to sound like Comic Book Guy, but the graphic novel was far, far superior. Where the movie was an argument for democracy against fascism—hardly a contested view; the comic was an argument for anarchy. And not the daft 12 year old kid, but actual, well realized anarchy, involving the destruction of the Government in order to build a new society. It was radical and probing. The novel also had to cut many of the more interesting minor characters and smooth over the development of others. An obvious example is the character of Evey, who in the movie started as a strong independent women. In the comic, she was a terrified teenager, who only gained self-confidence through V absolutely destroying her spirit first.
11. Neuromancer by William Gibson
Lets just throw all of Gibson’s cyberpunk in here, shall we? He could easily take half the list otherwise. Neuromancer was seminal in the establishment of the sadly defunct cyberpunk genre, the cold war era view of the future as a dirty high tech shithole where everyone’s a bastard. Not quite sure why people don’t still think that way. Anyway, Gibson famously wrote Neuromancer on a typewriter, which is more than a touch ironic. With this novel he explored artificial intelligence, virtual reality, urban sprawl, genetic engineering, and generally gave people the heebie jeebies about the future. It also has possibly the most famous opening sentence in modern literature: “The sky above the port was the color of television, tuned to a dead channel.”
10. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick
What I said before about Gibson taking up the entire list? Ibid for Dick. Fueled by drugs, paranoia, hallucinations and excellent writing he crafted many a world populated by police states and extreme surveillance. Androids is one of the better known ones, if only because the excellent Blade Runner was based on (part) of it. In a world where almost all animals are extinct and humans are radiation damaged, society comes to rely on empathy as the holiest of human traits. Eventually it becomes the only way to tell humans from increasingly advanced, but always heartless, androids. It’s a heady take on what it means to be human, and the nature of self.
9. The Book of The New Sun by Gene Wolfe
I’ve waxed lyrical about the Book of the New Sun before, and I’m not going to hesitate to do so again. Wolfe’s four volume future history is without a doubt one of the most under-appreciated works of modern science fiction. Its use of neologisms based in existing language structure, the imperfect narrator, and the incredibly detailed but only ever vaguely explained world all combine into an amazing story. The conceit of the entire quadrilogy being a diary cast back into time from the distant future is a device I’ve never seen used elsewhere. The world Wolfe constructs is filled with an amazing details which are only ever mentioned in passing, as if everyone should know them. It’s a planet where miners dig up old technology instead of minerals. Or were an entire mountain range has been carved up so that every peak commemorates a dead ruler. It’s one of the few pieces of science fiction that I know of that’s had entire books dedicated to its analysis. A magnificent series of novels that are worth getting hold of.
8. A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller, Jr.
Another post-nuclear novel (wow, sensing a trend here?), set in the 26th century (and beyond) about an order of monks attempting to save what remains of humanities learning and technology, by keeping and transcribing books. Over the course of a thousand years, from the anti-intellectual backlash following the nuclear war, through a new enlightenment, and to the onset of nuclear holocaust again, the priests of the Albertian Order of Leibowitz struggle to preserve and protect knowledge they only barely understand. It mulls over symbolism and themes of the circular and repetitive nature of history. Alphas and Omegas, A’s and Z’s. He also spends considerable time mulling over the differences between secular and religious institutions, as well the separation of church and state. It’s definitely an example of post-WWII/Cold War era fears about the future, but manages to remain undated.
7. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Bradbury’s dystopia of book burning and universal censorship was written in an attempt to communicate how he thought television would destroy literacy, and the damaging effects of censorship. The novel is focussed on literal book burning, and the censorship and suppression of literature is often brought up as the theme of the book, but in later interview Bradbury maintained it was actually that television would remove all desire for people to read, and gain knowledge. That the populace themselves would support the destruction of books, and be happy to reduce their knowledge to factoids without context. Wow, oddly prescient. Luckily the internet has us reading large amounts of text every day, even if it just is “lol noobz!”.
6. I Am Legend by Richard Matheson
The novel, not the shitty Will Smith movie. The movie pissed me off immensely, as it completely missed the point of the goddamn story. Matheson’s story was about vampires, not freaking zombies. It was brutal, misogynistic, and bitterly, bitterly sad. Robert Neville is possibly the only uninfected human being left on earth, who struggles to survive in Los Angeles, venturing out during the day, and dealing with his alcoholism, regrets and rampaging vampires at night. A big chunk of the novella is his slow and methodical learning of science so that he can understand what causes the vampirism. As tempted as I am to spoiler the novel’s end (and the title’s relevance), lets just say it’s much better than Will Smith’s version, and puts an excellent spin on monster myths.
5. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
I’m sure by now everyone’s read Huxley’s far future novel of constant orgies, drugs and television. Huh, that actually sounds kinda nice doesn’t it? Well, apart from the sleep learning, rigid caste structures, and complete removal of reproductive rights. Henry T. Ford is worshiped, and his views on production and the assembly line extend to human beings as well. It’s a brutal critique of a thoughtless society, obsessed with consumerism and sex rather than anything deeper, and one that views any permanent connection between people as bordering on pornographic. Considering it was written in 1931, it seems quite prescient (as much good dystopian fiction does), and stands as a self-inflicted counter-point to the rigid dystopia of our next entry…
4. Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell
While Brave New World cast the horrific future as a soporific world where everyone chose their own downfall by caring more about pleasures of the flesh than their fellow man, 1984 was the opposite—a totalitarian dictatorship enforced by constant surveillance, propaganda, and jackbooted thugs. Often taken as an anti-communist rant, 1984 is a warning about the dangers of totalitarianism, regardless of its origins. It’s such a pervasive view of a dystopian future, that so much of our lexicon to deal with the concept is drawn directly from this novel: Orwellian, Big Brother, Newspeak. Without 1984, what else would we have to compare Governments to when they did something we slightly disagreed with?
3. A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
There are two ways to read Clockwork Orange: you can either look at the glossary explaining the combination of russian, english schoolboy and constructed slang every five seconds, or you can just read it through, and hope to pick up the vocabulary as you go. Sure Burgess was a pompous windbag, but he also crafted an excellent tale of drug abuse, ultraviolence, and aversion therapy. This is one of the few situations where I’ll recommend the film as being as excellent as the novel, as it was one of Kubrick’s finest—except in one regard. American versions of the novel printed before 1986 were missing a final chapter, which Kubrick wasn’t aware of. In it, Alex grows tired of violence and drugs, and decides to settle down and start a family with a normal job. While it may sound like a cop out ending, it focuses far more the banality of evil, and how people who do utterly reprehensible things in their early days can become functional members of society.
2. The Road by Cormac McCarthy
There’s bleak, then there’s freaking Cormac McCarthy. McCarthy boils down the essence of a post-apocalyptic dystopia to its bare bones, completely omitting almost all details. There’s a father and son, who are never named. There was a nuclear disaster, and almost all plants and animals are dead, with humans mainly reduced to cannibalism. They’re trying to get somewhere warmer (and hopefully better) before winter hits, and the father is slowly dying of radiation poisoning. While the ending has the slightest possible glimmer of hope, the rest is just ash filled skies, storms and people torturing and eating one another. For all its stark bleakness, it still won the Pulitzer Prize in 2007, which should give you an indication of its pedigree.
1. The Diamond Age, or A Young Lady’s Illustrated Primer by Neal Stephenson
It’s hard to classify any of Stephenson’s tomes without just sighing, shrugging your shoulders, saying “It’s Neal Stephenson” and preparing to slog through hundreds upon hundreds of pages. And you know what? It’s always fucking worth it. Stephenson’s post-cyberpunk love letter to Victoriana, odd social structures, nanotech, and—most importantly—learning is enough to make anyone want to go out and make textbooks. Yeah, that’s how damn good it is, it makes you want to show people how to learn. It’s impossible to heap enough praise on Stephenson, and his nuanced critiques of the interactions of societies. So…just…get the book. Read eat. Savor it. Let it dissolve into you, and absorb it. It’s worth it.
Written by Tim on February 27th, 2010 | Tagged as: Popular Culture
On February 27th 2010, George wrote:
A glaring omission is We by Yevgeny Zamyatin, which inspired many distopian novels including 1984.
On February 27th 2010, John Woods wrote:
Wow, most impressvie dude.
RT
http://www.total-anonymity.cz.tc
On February 27th 2010, paul wrote:
"Brave New World" and "1984", yet no Zamyatin's "We" with both are clearly influence from?
On February 27th 2010, Si wrote:
I would have put a J.G Ballard in this list somewhere I particularly like High Rise.
On February 27th 2010, Eric Engel wrote:
I disagree
On February 27th 2010, Chris McZero wrote:
the Road as number 2? really? It was OK, but it is not even in the same league as 1984 or Clockwork Orange.
On February 27th 2010, Jules wrote:
Think about it: in the not too distant future nobody will get the opening sentence of Neuromancer. . .
"You mean…blue?"
On February 27th 2010, Aaron wrote:
"Hunger Games" has to be up there.
On February 27th 2010, Jesse Donat wrote:
Totally forgot Anthem
On February 27th 2010, n00b wrote:
The Road? Give me a break. Talk about one of the worst books EVER. It shouldn't even be on this list. That is the only book that was so ridiculously BAD I destroyed it rather than donate it to a friend, library, etc. The Road makes Anathem look like a masterpiece in comparison, and I hated Anathem (sorry, Neal, love your other stuff, but really…)
Ugh. Avoid The Road at all costs. Read it anyway, and you'll just be regretting the time you wasted on it and wishing you'd listened to me.
On February 27th 2010, KC wrote:
I'd also add 'Anthem' by Ayn Rand to the list.
About 800 pages less-long than her other works of fiction, it always seemed much more believable to me than Bradbury's 'Fahrenheit 451.'
On February 27th 2010, creen wrote:
I'm not sure you know what Dystopia means, you should look it up.
The Road is actually post-apocalyptic fiction, as are any books having to do with a world after a war.
The Sword of Spirits seems to be an ecotopian novel.
Your mixing you Utopian / Dystopian / Alt-History / Ecotopian / Sci-fi all up
On February 27th 2010, tif laf wrote:
You should really check out Octavia E. Butler's "Parable of the Sower." Awesome and scarily prophetic! Not to mention, written by a female African American sci-fi author! How many of those are floating around???
On February 27th 2010, Bombshell17 wrote:
"We" definitely should have been on this list and "Brave New World" should have been higher… 3 would be more appropriate. "The Giver" deserved a spot as well.
On February 27th 2010, Barbara Saunders wrote:
I'm with you about "I Am Legend." The film's ending changed the entire meaning of the story!
On February 27th 2010, Danny wrote:
I'm pretty sure Kubrick was aware of the final chapter in 'A Clockwork Orange' before he started shooting the film. One biography (if I was at home I'd find out for certain) recounts his dismissal of the chapter as sentimental and I'm inclined to agree–though I'm in the minority. Alex's decision to his abandon his old ways feels deliberately contrived to validate Burgess' argument for free will; I think it undermines it by reducing the the story to a cozy idyllic fantasy.
Still, I've read it twice, and it certainly deserves a place on this list.
On February 27th 2010, Keith Michael wrote:
It was suggested in an interview with Cormac McCarthy in Rolling Stone that the event in "The Road" was a meteorite impact, not a nuclear disaster.
From the article:"Erwin told McCarthy about the likely aftermath of the deadly meteorite: the magnitude of the desolation, the collapse of ecosystems, the fallout of debris and gases. Then, one day last year, Erwin sat down to read a galley of The Road, which depicts the harrowing, post-apocalyptic journey of a father and son. Erwin smiled – so this is what McCarthy was up to, he figured."
But it's not in the book, so I guess it's still open to interpretation-which is probably what was intended.
On February 27th 2010, vapor king wrote:
V for Vendetta was amazing.
On February 27th 2010, tkwelge wrote:
I don't know, the problem with this genre is that it ends up coming off as a straw man argument. People often have motivations that can't really be attributed to anybody in real life, and these books are often purely didactic works. That being said, I believe that 1984 and a Clockwork Orange are tremendous books, mainly because they go beyond simple issues of class warfare or some other Marxist "capitalism is evil" cliche. 1984 stands alone as a critique that be interpreted as critical of both capitalism and communism.
On February 27th 2010, LeeAnn wrote:
I keep multiple copies of all Gibson and Stephenson books, just in case.
On February 27th 2010, Carl V. wrote:
I was pleased to see George chime in with the first comment, We is definitely a glaring omission from this list.
On February 27th 2010, Paul wrote:
Of course We by Zamyatin that has already been mentioned is missing but another great read, if not an actual novel, is 'Brave New World – Revisited' a self critique by Huxley on the original novel conducted some 30-40 years later. If anything, it makes even more accurate perceptions of the then future and now present and is well worth reading for any lovers of the genre.
On February 28th 2010, JDsg wrote:
I agree about the lack of J.G. Ballard; also missing is John Brunner's work, such as The Sheep Look Up and Stand on Zanzibar.
BTW, the Will Smith version of I am Legend was clearly about vampires, not zombies.
On February 28th 2010, george wrote:
You left out "Earth Abides" by George Stewart. Better than any of the ones sited. A true classic, and not just as science fiction.
On February 28th 2010, Chris Stormer wrote:
"The Truth Machine"
On February 28th 2010, Alan wrote:
Cool list!
Regarding "I Am Legend", I read the novel, I think it is an abomination, it's not even good bathroom reading except as toilet paper.
On February 28th 2010, Edcast wrote:
The problem with lists like these—much like the debate over what is sf and what is fantasy—is that too often people get dystopic and post-apocalyptic mixed up. Yes, they can be both. But in the case of the Road and I am Legend and also, perhaps, A Canticle for Leibowtiz, these novels are bleak, but they're post-apocalyptic. They don't really deal with totalitarian regimes or a planned utopia that's really an anti-utopia. That's really what a dystopic novel is all about. Social, religious, political systems that are put in place to progress society, but really hinder it.
On February 28th 2010, Sud wrote:
Dude? How could you not include Oryx and Crake?
On February 28th 2010, annon wrote:
>Dude? How could you not include Oryx and Crake?
…and "The year of the flood". IMHO they both beat "The handmaid's tale" from the same author and many other books ranking higher on the list.
On February 28th 2010, Online Book Shop wrote:
Thanks for the compilation/reminder –havn't read some of these books in a long while — prompted to do a re-read–in particular Handmaid's Tale–books often read differently after a few years between.
On February 28th 2010, Sean wrote:
The Diamond Age was a dystopia?!
On March 1st 2010, Mollie wrote:
My favorite book of all time, and it's missing from this list; This Perfect Day by Ira Levin.
On March 1st 2010, Kapture wrote:
The Road was a Fail.
I can't believe Day of the Triffids isn't on the list!
On March 1st 2010, Simon3 wrote:
Well, I'm glad that someone else thinks the Diamond Age is a Neal Stephenson masterpiece. It has been sadly underrated for a long time. However I don't think that it is dystopia by any means, more an incident filled and at points dark story set in a techno-utopia
On March 1st 2010, Justin wrote:
A lot of stuff I like, but frankly I'm very disappointed that Stephen King's Dark Tower saga was not included. Even "The Stand" trumps a couple of the entries in my mind.
On March 1st 2010, jake wrote:
no mention of Harrison Bergeron? thats a shame. it may not have been a full novel, but it still is an exemplar of dystopian. i'm surprised at a lack of Kurt Vonnegut altogether frankly, still some pretty good choices on the list.
On March 1st 2010, Frank wrote:
This is a crappy list for the sole reason that most of the classic/masterpiece Dystopian novels are at the bottom of the list or in the wrong order of significance. Also, I agree with most of you that The Road is a horribly written book, not to mention it doesn't even qualify as Dystopian, and Yevgeny Zamayatin's We is perhaps one of the most underrated (and greatest) Dystopian novels ever. It served as the basis for George Lucas's THX-1138. A glaring omission if there was ever one. Please do some research before posting these lists.
On March 1st 2010, matt wrote:
I completely agree with you Justin. The Stand and The Dark Tower are both brilliant works. And to all you critics out there- I thought The Road was pretty good, it's just different than most of the other books on this list. It's almost a form of very bleak poetry. I mean, I think Stephenson's writing style is pretty off the walls too (albeit, in a very different way) so just read and enjoy.
Cheers.
On March 1st 2010, Sam wrote:
"I Have No Mouth, And I Must Scream" belongs on that list. It could replace ANY of those books – That's how badly it belongs on that list.
On March 1st 2010, Jake wrote:
I have to recommend the film version of The Road. It crushes all hope, but leaves you with nothing but a fierce determination to survive
On March 1st 2010, Andrew wrote:
The road was a great book, but I think your interpretation of it isn't quite right. Aside from not naming the characters, McCarthy also never specifies what exactly caused the end of civilization. I personally think it was not a nuclear disaster, but rather an asteroid impact, because of all the ash everywhere, and the fact that the characters never see the sun, and the evidence of large firestorms consuming towns and cities.
On March 1st 2010, Coranimus wrote:
What about non-fiction, like, 'The Singularity is Near'?
On March 1st 2010, ben wrote:
uhh canticle should be top five even though it's not really dystopian. also the road is supposed to be bleak. it's a hard book to read definitely but don't discredit it altogether
On March 1st 2010, cory wrote:
No Vonnegut? Player Piano, Cat's Cradle? Agree with most of the list except for The Road.
On March 1st 2010, Tralugarn wrote:
Selections are varied in quality, although the lack of Ayn Rand is a plus.
Also, conflating post-apocalypse with dystopia is a questionable choice. Not uncommon, though.
On March 1st 2010, Dylan wrote:
Nice list!
Even though I disagree with some (as does everyone else), I thought it was pretty good overall. I agree that "We" is a bit of an omission (and while I love The Book of the New Sun, I'm not sure it qualifies as 'dystopian' any more than, say, Dune). Also, while I didn't despise The Road, I definitely didn't find it as interesting as many of the other books on the list.
But those are just quibbles – I've never read The Diamond Age or Canticle for Liebowitz, so perhaps I'll have to check them out.
Also, I completely agree with you about I Am Legend – amazing, awesome book; very disappointing movie with all the best bits of the book excised.
On March 1st 2010, Nick September wrote:
I would strongly reccomend Peter Watts' Starfish series being on this list.
On March 1st 2010, Jeremy wrote:
I gotta say I need some Ayn Rand up in here. other then that you speak the truth.
On March 1st 2010, Sylana wrote:
I remember reading That Hideous Strength as a teenager- I don't know if it really counts as dystopian, but it is one truly screwed-up book. The first two of the series were odd enough, and extremely preachy in a lot of ways.(Then again, it IS CS Lewis) That last one, however- whew. I must've read it a dozen times, and I still had no idea what was going on half the time.
Also agree with The Stand and The Dark Tower comments- love those books :)
On March 1st 2010, jer wrote:
My only problem is with the synopsis of The Road. What exactly happened is never specified in the book. So saying that the catastrophe was nuclear in nature and that the father had radiation poisoning is strictly speculation.
On March 1st 2010, no one wrote:
Dr.Adder by K.W Jeter
On March 1st 2010, KMcC wrote:
Russel Hoban's Ridley Walker is one of the greatest post-apocalypse novels I've read. It's about knowledge attaining critical mass in an oral culture, about the way new technology (in this case gunpowder) can completely revolutionise power structures, about the stories a society tells to explain how it comes to be living amid the ruins and fragments of another time. All narrated in a kind of pidgin of English that is simultaneously broken and lyrical, Unmissably good book
On March 1st 2010, James wrote:
Great list, but completely skipped Ayn Rand's Anthem.
On March 1st 2010, Frank Icaza wrote:
Read Riddley Walker, a novel by Russell Hoban, first published in 1980.
On March 1st 2010, Anna wrote:
what, no Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman? That is by far one of the best dystopic novels I've read i quite a while
On March 1st 2010, LaShawn wrote:
…I agree with all the other posts here concerning the author’s confusion regard the nature of dystopian works and post-apocalyptic works. Some of the novels he has mentioned are both but it seems that the overwhelming majority are in fact post-apocalyptic novels. It illustrates, to great effect, the author’s lack of knowledge on the subject. Firstly, the omission of “We” is a faux pas of significant magnitude. It is the basis and inspiration for the two best dystopian novels ever created: “1984” and ”Brave New World.” These novels follow that classic formula of hyperbole as a means of social critique, the purpose of which is to make the faults of the current social order obvious enough for the most ignorant of masses, as well as functioning as a cautionary tale. Secondly, the author fails to note Plato’s “Republic” as the original dystopia. Some might argue that Plato’s “Republic” is not a dystopia, but I would beg to differ. Plato shows us a world of merciless justice and monstrous efficiency, where the will of the people is mitigated by a philosopher-king who “really knows what’s best for you.” If tyranny for the greater good is not dystopia, than what is? However, if you want to talk post-apocalyptic fiction, there are few finer examples that Sherri S. Tepper’s “The Gate to Women’s Country.”
On March 1st 2010, LaShawn wrote:
…I agree with all the other posts here concerning the author’s confusion regard the nature of dystopian works and post-apocalyptic works. Some of the novels he has mentioned are both but it seems that the overwhelming majority are in fact post-apocalyptic novels. It illustrates, to great effect, the author’s lack of knowledge on the subject. Firstly, the omission of “We” is a faux pas of significant magnitude. It is the basis and inspiration for the two best dystopian novels ever created: “1984” and ”Brave New World.” These novels follow that classic formula of hyperbole as a means of social critique, the purpose of which is to make the faults of the current social order obvious enough for the most ignorant of masses as well as functioning as a cautionary tale. Secondly, the author fails to note Plato’s “Republic” as the original dystopia. Some might argue that Plato’s “Republic” is not a dystopia, but I would beg to differ. Plato shows us a world of merciless justice and monstrous efficiency, where the will of the people is mitigated by a philosopher-king who “really knows what’s best for you.” If tyranny for the greater good is not dystopia, than what is? However, if you want to talk post-apocalyptic fiction, there are few finer examples than Sherri S. Tepper’s “The Gate to Women’s Country.”
On March 2nd 2010, Bolla451 wrote:
No "We" and No "Flatland".
Sorry the list is wrong
On March 2nd 2010, chelesa wrote:
I would completely agree with the We comment. It's a classic that cannot be missed.
On March 2nd 2010, Jessica wrote:
Thank God I wasnt the first person to think that "We" by Zamyatin should be on there. Seriously. Adolous Huxley stole his plotline from Zamyatin.
On March 3rd 2010, Matthew wrote:
Although this is blatant plug for the books I've written . . .
I've written a dystopian book trilogy set in a world that alien gods claim in the absence of the "creator." Pazuzu, an ancient demon, awakes to fight evil with evil.
http://stores.lulu.com/Isylumn
On March 3rd 2010, Jay wrote:
"Random Acts of Senseless Violence" is a favorite of mine. Chronicles the descent/transitional phase of our society into a dystopian society.
On March 3rd 2010, Little K wrote:
I think that the works of Octavia Butler deserve consideration here, particularly the Parable of the Sower trilogy.
On March 3rd 2010, Adam Colton wrote:
Thank you for putting The Diamond Age at number one. This is my favorite book and has inspired me to do more than just about any other novel. I don't think it receives enough praise for just how amazing it is.
On March 3rd 2010, MichelleR wrote:
The Road? For real? I was so disinterested in this book. I just found it dull, unfocused, and just, well…mediocre. To be honest, I didn't read anything about a nuclear disaster – did I miss that while I was yawning? I never understood what happened.
Another Margaret Atwood book is "Oryx and Crake". Loved it .Interesting take on an apocolypse. It should have been on there and not te Road. The Road does not dserve such a high rating..
On March 3rd 2010, Erin wrote:
Impressive variety. I was happy to see World War Z and Book of the New Sun on here, as there aren't many lists they could co-star on. Not meaning any insult to the list-compiler, I would recommend that if people like some of these books, they would also likely enjoy Glass House by Charles Stross, which is one of my favorites.
On March 3rd 2010, Ian_S wrote:
Good list but I'd expected to see John Brunner's "The Sheep Look Up" in there. Easily the most depressing book I ever read, dealing with (amongst other things) what happens when nerve gas gets into the London water supply. It's so bleak I can't even recommend people reading it in case it causes mental anguish.
On March 3rd 2010, Kinley wrote:
Jasper Fforde's newest, called SHADES OF GREY, is truly one of the best dystopian novels I've read in ages. He rivals Stephenson in terms of utterly believable science-fiction, and he makes it witty and intelligent on top of that.
My own personal favorite dystopian novel is Tanith Lee's BITING THE SUN, which, very unfortunately, seems to be in the process of going out of print.
Great list though, there were a few on there I'd never heard of, and I'm excited to get my hands on them.
On March 3rd 2010, John Grabowski wrote:
There's no accounting for taste, but IMO The Road has definitely got to be one of the best books I've ever read.
You know, if this got split into separate dystopian and post-apocalyptic lists, there'd be room to include more selections! : )
On March 3rd 2010, Jhan wrote:
Argle wargle. Riddley Walker.
On March 4th 2010, JJ wrote:
Nice! I love Stephenson and Diamond Age has always been my favorite. I loved it the second I opened the cover.
On March 4th 2010, jen wrote:
Are you people serious? The road was one of the best books I've ever read. Instead of outright telling you what happend, the author makes you look for the hidden message or what is really going on. And hi-five to who ever said Hunger Games, thats a great book too.
On March 4th 2010, Nan Koenig wrote:
I absolutely loved your first sentence about The Road. Over the top brilliant.
On March 4th 2010, RageXtreme wrote:
what about Z for Zachariah?
On March 4th 2010, Hugh Askew wrote:
You left 'We' off the list.
By Yevgeny Zamyatin, it is probably the original dystopian novel. Your list is incomplete without it.
On March 4th 2010, Jeff wrote:
"Anthem" while short, is a great read about a communist dystopia. Or, maybe it's only a dystopia for the ones that can't fit in. Either way, it belongs on this list.
And since this list is mixing post-apocalyptic and dystopian, then definitely "The Stand" by Stephen King. Good v. Eeeeevil in a world where most everyone is dead.
Wonder if Captain Tripps is going to end up a variant of Swine Flu? ;-)
On March 5th 2010, JFC wrote:
Quibbles over different genres aside (that is, post-apocalyptic vs. dystopian), this is a great list and the additional comments are almost all on the mark.
Don't Bite The Sun is a very good suggestion!
Lists such as this one help us all discover new reading. I'll be looking for Shades of Grey, for instance.
On March 5th 2010, Anne Sweeney wrote:
I think it is about time someone noticed "Native Tongue" by Suzette Elgin! Her book is a fantastic Dystopic novel that the world has all but forgotten about. Her writing is far superior to Margaret Atwood's in my opinion. Elgin has a PhD in linguistics, and it definitely shows in the complexity of her work.
On March 5th 2010, jhvh wrote:
All of you geeks bad-mouthing The Road obviously know nothing about great literature. The Road, like all pieces of genius art, is only as brilliant as the reader who's trying to understand it. And whats even more obvious: none of you must be writers (or good ones anyway), otherwise you would recognize the subtle genius that is Cormac McCarthy.
On March 5th 2010, Ian wrote:
Thanks for leaving out Ayn Rand. The Road was a great book.
On March 6th 2010, Phil_O wrote:
How can you leave out Samuel R. Delany's Dhalgren?
On March 7th 2010, Sous Rature wrote:
Not to nitpick, but only about half of these are dystopian–a dystopia generally describes a future society, so something like World War Z or The Road, although apocalyptic, wouldn't qualify because they aren't really describing societies in a cautionary way. Some good choices, though.
On March 7th 2010, deb wrote:
How about After Dachau by Daniel Quinn? (Author of Ishmael & The Story of B)
On March 7th 2010, Matt wrote:
I can't believe all the "Road" haters out there. That book left a mark like now other. I knew I was alive after reading that book, and I still think back on some of the messages McCarthy was trying to say, over a year later. Great list, I've read several of these, and now have to read the rest!
On March 9th 2010, Pichu wrote:
Lol to whoever wrote Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere.
On March 9th 2010, TexSquid wrote:
A lot of recent and some Golden Age fiction..
let’s not forget Niven and Pournelle’s Lucifer’s Hammer, and Niven’s World Out of Time.
Heinlein’s Friday
Brunner’s Stand on Zanzibar
and all of Philip K. Dick
On March 10th 2010, rittika ghosh wrote:
cool list!! but serious Seious lack of ayn rand!!! Anthem needs to be on this list!!
On March 10th 2010, ye wrote:
these comments make me want to read The Road.
On March 10th 2010, Bransby wrote:
There’s a blog somewhere with a “Top 100 Dystopian Films” list – and the comments there descended into an argument about what constitutes a dystopia and what constitutes a post-apocolyptic setting, funny that the same’s almost happened here.
Regarding the Will Smith I Am Legend film – there is an alternate ending which I believe is far truer to the original story, but it obviously never made it past the producers to the cinema release because they were obviously worried about making the audience engage their brains at any point. Can’t see how using zombies instead of vampires makes all that much difference to the themes being explored either, sounds like nit-picking to me.
On March 11th 2010, Valentine Michael Smith wrote:
The discourse off this list is mostly just as great as the list it’s self. One thing i have to mention to all the people arguing about weather or not this book or the other is dystopian – get a definition of the world. Dystopian is a negative version of utopia, one where people lead either dehumanizing, and or fearful lives (webster) or a place where everything is bad (oxford). The word is at best broad allowing all of these book to have that descriptor. The official definition uses clearly subjective terms as well which makes a static definition impossible. While post-apocalyptic my be more specific, for the purposes of a list dystopia is just as accurate.
On March 11th 2010, Tobi wrote:
Jewgenij Samjatin’s We is definately missing!
And many of you already pointed out that it has been the first distopian novel with a lot of visionary themes in it if you cnosider that it was written in the 1920′s
It definitely was the major influence for Orwell and Huxley
On March 11th 2010, Easygenius wrote:
I’ve got to say that some of these aren’t quite dystopian but a good list of books either way. I’m curious why you found “I am Legend” to be misogynistic. ???
On March 13th 2010, micol wrote:
I was sure I’d see Anthem by Ayn Rand on this list… how could you forget that one?
On March 13th 2010, tin-tin wrote:
what about the iron heel by jack london
massivly underated
On March 13th 2010, DrummaJack wrote:
In laymans terms, a dystopia is a society telling the people that it is a great place to be, when in reality, it is not. Slogans like 'For Your Own Protection', or 'For The Greater Good' are used to justify shady or illicit actions.
What I wanna know is what to call a society that makes no pretense about it and goes beyond dictatorship to the point of 'Your life is hell, and we don't give a shit'.
On March 14th 2010, Fiona wrote:
Don't forget about "Oryx and crake" & its sequel "Year of the flood" , both by Margaret Atwood.
On March 15th 2010, D. wrote:
You can¨t expect to be taken seriously if you leave out Karel Čapek: "RUR", "The War with the Newts" …
On March 15th 2010, Ron D wrote:
The Road is by far the best written, most Canonical, of all these books. To say it can't be number 2 is absurd, however I am not quite convinced you can call it a distopian novel. I believe a distopian novel by definition should require a society; there is none in The Road. It is, however, post-apocalyptic.
On March 18th 2010, adonis muscle wrote:
i read world war z and like it. It is an amazing book. Thanks for your sharing, i think i will read a clockwork orange next. I watched its movie but did not read the book yet.
On March 22nd 2010, dr wrote:
In my short life i've only read 3 of these books, now i have plenty of meaningful reading ahead, so thank you!
But i want to know how does "the last man on earth" with Vincent Price compare to the book? I haven't seen or read I am Legend, so I'm really curious
On March 23rd 2010, Greg wrote:
Zamyatin’s “We” is a huge miss here.
On March 23rd 2010, nope wrote:
C. S. Lewis' space trilogy is not about visiting planets and modernity alone. It's not that simple. They are allegorical representations of first christ, then adam/eve and the human struggle with the devil, and finally, in That Hideous Strength, the war between heaven and hell and mans fickle and manipulated part in it. Think before you write this stuff. Moreover, its dystopian content is merely a sideshow to the heart and soul of the novel.
On March 26th 2010, Grover wrote:
How about the real world: That’s about as dystopic as you can get.
On April 2nd 2010, Stephanie wrote:
I must echo the sentiments of others and say that with out "We" by Yevgeny Zamyatin, this list can not be take seriously.
On April 11th 2010, Ben Hurst wrote:
Judging by the number of comments here, I'm sure you've already been informed by someone else: McCarthy never explicitly says what the man is suffering from in The Road. It could simply be a case of TB.
Decent list, otherwise.
On April 11th 2010, Cassandra wrote:
while i am aware that it falls more under post apocalyptic rather than dystopian, i would have included Swan Song by Robert R. McCammon. It illustrates how one man can totally change the face of the world. Not to mention the undertones presented by "Job's mask".
On April 16th 2010, J. wrote:
Although that hideous strength was a good book (confusing at times..) it does not fit in this list. Nor did I think it was misogynistic, old fashioned mindset sure but it was written quite a while ago.
The list was interesting though, something to read when I got the time.
On April 16th 2010, goldesam wrote:
Z for Zachariah is not Dystopian btw. It is post apocalyptic.
I see no one has yet mentioned The Last Summer of Reason by Tahar Dajout. The best book I have ever read and no one I have ever spoken to has ever heard of it. Definitely work picking up.
On April 17th 2010, yankee57 wrote:
thank god for beautiful women and let's enjoy a good book and glass of fine wine , along with them ! cheers !
On April 17th 2010, jambler wrote:
Canticle For Leibowitz was the best one on the list. I found "The Road" to be a fascinating read, but I was confused by some of the references that made me believe the father and son were traveling through what used to Britain. Yet, critics of the movie all said it was in America(meaning U.S.) – so maybe the movie missed the point. The ending was hopeful, not bleak – like "Children of Men"
On April 17th 2010, Linda wrote:
The Sheep Look Up By John Brunner scared the — out of me
On April 17th 2010, Charlotte wrote:
Great list, I was thrilled you included The Diamond Era :)
On April 18th 2010, Tony wrote:
On the Beach by Neville Shute. I mean the hopelessness and beauty of a completely doomed world and its last survivors is classic. Only the cockroaches survive. Should have been on there.
On April 18th 2010, zac wrote:
I loved the Clans of the Alphane Moon by Philip K Dick. You can't get more dystopian than an abandoned mental colony left to fend for themselves. Also, The Sparrow, by Mary Doria Russell is certainly a fine read and arguably of the genre. As for the Sheep Look Up, that one is cutting closer to home than I find comfortable.
On April 19th 2010, Tarn wrote:
I would've included Snowcrash by Neal Stephenson, would fit right up there with Gibson.
On April 19th 2010, SAW wrote:
The English language is filled with colorful, descriptive adjectives and adverbs. Resorting to obscenities and vulgarity indicates a lack of familiarity with them, a dearth of vocabulary, and interrupts the narrative while the reader decides exactly what the writer meant to convey – which does not happen when the writer uses the exact word to convey the precise meaning intended. Peppering your conversation with swear words leaves you with nothing to say when you hit your thumb with the hammer!
On April 19th 2010, Abacus wrote:
…The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer…
On April 20th 2010, IvanIV wrote:
I am Legend Is fantastic, I am glad I stumbled on this website. But beware everyone else, there is a newer edition with a bunch of other short stories by Matheson which are kind of let downs in comparison.
Thank you for bringing these novels to my attention!
On April 20th 2010, Mr. Meh wrote:
To me The Road was always about the relationship between fathers and sons. A father trying to prepare his son for the world while he has still has time. The post-apocalyptic setting is there to add intensity and gravity to their relationship. Read Blood Meridian if you enjoyed The Road. It makes the Road seem like a camping trip.
And props to who ever mentioned the lack of Vonnegut.
On April 22nd 2010, Mike M wrote:
Clockwork Orange looking back at it. Turned out to be what the 1990's became. My opinion is that it is a book and movie of prophisies
On April 22nd 2010, Anonymous wrote:
Does anyone else get tired of all of the dystopian literature out there? There's SO MUCH of it that sometimes I appreciate the black and white simplicity of things like star wars. You know, instead of the solid black of dystopian scifi: "Everyone's a bastard. There are no good guys. World unity will only end badly". Give me a break.
On April 22nd 2010, sumeet wrote:
umm .. well i do not belong here, my friend gave me this link. I have read a couple of them, and I can clearly see that there are time when people might like to read them. But then on a second look I realize its not exactly dystopia, but simply another utopia. People, at times have only one utopia, dream of a world where everyone around may suffer :) , May be because suffering is a pleasure for humans, both to suffer and to make others suffers, or just because they hate everyone around :-|. So well good luck friends, happy reading.
On April 23rd 2010, Michelle wrote:
Great list, I would have included Steven King's Dark Tower series though. that is my all time favorite book of this genre.
On April 23rd 2010, Kat wrote:
Without Brunner's Sheep Look Up, this is a FAIL.
On April 23rd 2010, Kat wrote:
And please keep your crap popunders to yourself.
On April 23rd 2010, ruthi wrote:
How about Lois Lowry's The Giver?
On April 24th 2010, anonymous wrote:
I think The Hunger Games by Cressida Cowell needs to be on the list, If you haven't already read it, you should read it!
On April 25th 2010, John wrote:
This Perfect Day by Ira Levin…come on
On April 27th 2010, Summer wrote:
Ok now I want to see a list of all books mentioned in the comments but not included in the list.
Besides going through the list for the books I haven't gotten my hands on yet, I plan to scour the comments for all the suggested reading. :D
On April 29th 2010, Karma wrote:
I don’t know if I would put The Road at number 2.
On April 30th 2010, Serafina Tikklya wrote:
oooooh! “I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream”…what a fantastic read!
On May 5th 2010, metalfan20 wrote:
I’m sorry the handmaid’s tale was a piece of crap I got a third of the way through it for college English wrote my essay and said screw it. it’s actually number two on my worst books ever read list.
On May 7th 2010, AJC wrote:
Everyone mentions Zamyatin’s We, but what about Arthur Koestler’s ‘Darkness at Noon’. So oppressive I could only take a few pages with each sitting!
On May 8th 2010, LiRM35M4419 wrote:
This Perfect Day by Ira Levin! I can’t believe it’s not on this list.
On May 9th 2010, Andy wrote:
I would like to throw in a boy and his dog
On May 9th 2010, logon wrote:
great list
Heinlein’s Friday gets my vote
On May 11th 2010, steve waite wrote:
The Stand (King), Dune (Herbert), We the living (Ayn Rand) are all missing. The Road is a great read, more for the writing style in my opinion.
On May 12th 2010, Dallas Thompson wrote:
Fate.. I stumbled into, thru and beyond this fantastic site. “For my own good,” I feel better !
On May 12th 2010, Zump wrote:
I read the English Clockwork Orange around 1964 and I am sure their was no final chapter about his future – I could be wrong but I heard this was added to the American editions where they felt it would not get published if it did not have the expected (in those days) happy ending.
Give me a month and I will dig it out (I have aquired a lot of books since 1964 and it is a bit like looking for a tree in a forest)
On May 12th 2010, Zump wrote:
In addition to my previous comment just one more thing.
THANKS.
If you are right – wrong – missed out books – shouldnt have included books – got your definitions wrong etc. so what….
You have caught the attention of “at least” 140 people – who now not only have your list but all these new books to add/compare/replace.
That cant be bad..
On May 13th 2010, JayR wrote:
Okay I’m sorry but you are way off on 1984. I believe it should be higher up also read some of Orwell’s essays and rewrite your little synopsis of the book… k thanks
On May 13th 2010, Meg wrote:
This is a nice and basic list of dystopian novels. However, I would advise you to reconsider your summaries/interpretations of each of the books. Seems like you looked at sparknotes rather than actually interpreted the books yourself, especially That Hideous Strength by C.S. Lewis.
On May 15th 2010, Emma wrote:
I like your list. Although it’s more fantasy than sci-fi, I think Isobelle Carmody’s Obernewtyn series is deserving of a mention.
On May 18th 2010, AndrewLambo wrote:
where’s 1984?
On May 19th 2010, Anthony Pittarelli wrote:
The Sword of the Spirits and World War Z are excellent and highly recommended!
On May 19th 2010, Stray Bullet wrote:
The movie I am legend it IS vampires not zombies he’s dealing with, just not the kind you see on Dark Shadows or Twilight. And I agree with a lot of the writers, more than half are not dystopian. And Anthem? Really? I think not. Harrison Bergeron and several other pieces by Vonnegut should have made the cut. There are a few others, like The Unusual Life of Tristan Smith by Carey (the second half at the very least) and more. But any time you make a list, count on disagreements.
On May 21st 2010, seb wrote:
this blog is full of shit.
1984 is #1, nothing else.
arguments invalid.
On May 21st 2010, pitman wrote:
That is awesome, I also found this great experiment video about a diet coke and mentos explosion in a microwave on youtube that was really entertaining. It is pretty near death as far as diet coke and mentos goes. It is at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVPZSK77yTw. Take a peek, its worth it.
On May 31st 2010, Cindy wrote:
Almost everyone on here bad mouthing The Road seem to have missed the point. And N00b, I read the book and I’m glad I didn’t listen to you.
On July 15th 2010, mankaloo wrote:
what, no FIGHT CLUB??
On July 30th 2010, sir jorge wrote:
indeed, those are the best
On August 9th 2010, MercedesGabriella wrote:
Even better than “Day of the Triffids” is “The Chrysalids” by the same author, John Wyndham
On August 10th 2010, Andyson456 wrote:
You should all read the book ‘Blindness’. I’m not sure if i falls under the category of the rest of these books but it is definitely worth it. Never had a book that scared the crap out of me.
On August 10th 2010, Allison K wrote:
I am wondering if anyone has read the the Emberverse series by SM Stirling (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dies_the_Fire) …. another post apocalyptic alternate history series … rather interesting
On August 27th 2010, atlwar wrote:
Yes I am a big fan of emberverse . i loved it can’t wait for the next one. Can’t believe it wasn’t on the list I was just scrolling down to the bottom to post about this and saw your entry. Fortuitous timing I suppose. i think he must of spent a hell of a lot of time imagining this scenario, because based on his explanation of how this particular apocalypse happens I think he came up with extremely plausible outcomes based on geographical circumstance.
On August 30th 2010, Jules wrote:
No one seems to have read Russell Hoban’s ‘Riddley Walker’. England, recovering from the apocalypse.
The NYTimes reviewer said it best:
“Set in a remote future and composed in an English nobody ever spoke or wrote…lighting by El Greco and jokes by Punch and Judy…and a hero with Huck Finn’s heart and charm.”
On September 4th 2010, professional photographer wrote:
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On September 5th 2010, Jori wrote:
Stand on Zanzibar by John Brunner for sure. And his The Sheep Look Up.
On September 6th 2010, Marty wrote:
I havent read through the vast amount of comments, but what is new and hot in young adult dystopian literature is Suzanne Collins’ “Hunger Games.” Absolutely riveting.
On September 13th 2010, Steven wrote:
I can’t believe The Road is number 2. It wasn’t a terrible read but it certainly isn’t even close to books like 1984 quality-wise. 1984 is where terms like “big brother”, “newspeak”, “double-think” came from! And like the people above, I agree, “We” should definitely be up there.
1.) 1984
2.) Brave New World
3.) Diamond Age
4.) We
5.) Clockwork Orange
On September 14th 2010, art wrote:
Dude, where’s “Snow Crash”?
On September 19th 2010, D wrote:
Where is Rand’s Atlas Shrugged? This one should be in the top 5, but it’s not even on this list!
On September 21st 2010, Brian wrote:
“The Giver” totally needs to be up there. I read it the first time when I was 8 and was horrified… then read it again when I was 19 and was even more horrified… It’s a great book, but I couldn’t help but feel a little cold and dead after reading it…
On September 25th 2010, anon ymous wrote:
The Time Machine was the first book about a dystopia….how is it excluded?
On September 28th 2010, battlinjack wrote:
Did you all miss or not read the beginning of this where the author states that this is HIS list. Agree or disagree, it doesn’t matter. He is entitled to his opinions!
On September 28th 2010, battlinjack wrote:
A dystopia (from Ancient Greek: δυσ-: bad-, ill- and Ancient Greek: τόπος: place, landscape) (alternatively, cacotopia,[1] or anti-utopia) is, in literature, an often futuristic society that has degraded into a repressive and controlled state, often under the guise of being utopian. Dystopian literature has underlying cautionary tones, warning society that if we continue to live how we do, this will be the consequence. A dystopia is, thus, regarded as a sort of negative utopia and is often characterized by an authoritarian or totalitarian form of government. Dystopias usually feature different kinds of repressive social control systems, a lack or total absence of individual freedoms and expressions and constant states of warfare or violence. Dystopias often explore the concept of technology going “too far” and how humans individually and en masse use technology. A dystopian society is also often characterized by mass poverty for most of its inhabitants and a large military-like police force.
On September 30th 2010, Lisa wrote:
Saying: “‘The Road’ was like, so dumb….like totally lame, like I totally hated it.” is not an entirely convincing (or even remotely mature) argument for not reading it. Forgive me if I dismiss your advice completely.
On October 3rd 2010, stinkybob wrote:
OK, some fairly average ones in that list. What about Z for Zachariah by Robert C. O’Brien or On the Beach by Nevil Shute? Not hollywood blockbusters but spine chilling and memorable for it (read them both over 20 years ago and they still haunt me).
On October 3rd 2010, meditationguru wrote:
thanks for this collection , though i disagree about the heading of this post
On October 5th 2010, Mandy wrote:
The Hunger Games, you missed it. Definitely should be there.
On October 23rd 2010, jennifer wrote:
The Stand should be here..i like the list but The Stand by stephen king is amazing!
On November 4th 2010, Bailey wrote:
You seem to be confusing what a dystopia and an anti-utopia is.
A dystopia is a society in which there is widespread famine, homelessness, ect.
And anti-utopia is where it seems as though everyone is happy, but the government is extremely controlling. So, the societies in Fahrenheit 415, Brave New World, V for Vendetta, and others like it, with all be anti-utopian societies.
On November 4th 2010, mıy wrote:
>>>> dystopia anti-utopia?
look it up on wikipedia.
“We” by yevgeni zamyatin isnt on the list, so the list is …. . sorry. We is the ancestor of all, especially brave new world and 1984 are almost copies, although I love both, they are damn copies that’s it.
On November 4th 2010, mıy wrote:
also thanks for your recommendations. you people all have given good ideas about what I should read next.
On November 5th 2010, Al wrote:
Loved ‘The Road’. Number one on my personal list. Prefered the book to the film.
On November 7th 2010, Emi wrote:
I loved “We” and the half-dozen others I’ve already read on this list. I look forward to reading most of the rest.
One book I think is also way better than the movie (though the movie was good) was “Children of Men” by P.D. James.
Perhaps one’s list would need to be more than 16 items – maybe 25 is a better number.
I also appreciate the absence of Rand.
On November 7th 2010, Lauren wrote:
I don’t know why The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins didn’t make this list, obviously the list-maker has never read the series. They need to.
So do you.
On November 8th 2010, brittney wrote:
Were YA novels deliberately left out? Because the Hunger Games should definitely be on the list. And a less well known dystopian novel is The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness. It is an excellent dystopian novel and it’s YA.
On November 13th 2010, Darcy wrote:
How do you know it’s a nuclear disaster and that the father is dying of radiation poisoning? That is never stated; it could just as easily be interpreted as a comet based on the flash of light, the ash and black sky (this is what killed the dinosaurs) and his lung disease. I would say the signs point more toward a comet than a nuclear disaster. Where did you get this information? If there’s a clear statement of this, I’d be very interested in knowing.
On November 13th 2010, Darcy wrote:
I agree with many of you that The Road is a true artistic masterpiece. I hold a Ph.D. in literature, and The Road is the best book I have ever read; in fact, it is in a class of greatness of its own, not even comparable to these other novels (while they are indeed great books!). It isn’t just a “good book”; it’s a true work of art. It impacted me profoundly, and I will read it again and again.
On November 17th 2010, j-mon wrote:
The Stand by Stephen King
On November 17th 2010, ZF wrote:
uhh, _The Stand_ stephen king?
On November 26th 2010, Justin Moore wrote:
Agree that We should be there and that J.G. Ballard belongs, High Rise is good, so is Crash, I’d go with Concrete Island but I guess HIgh Rise is the most distopian. However in the top 3 I’d Have Fred Pohl’s The Space Merchants, the venus angle is outdated but chicken little is just disgusting…
The Road doesn’t be;long, not because its a poor story or anything, its greatish, but because it’s not a distopia.
On November 30th 2010, Nathan Tincher wrote:
Uhm i agree with I am legend but still hubger games top 15
On December 3rd 2010, brad wrote:
Diamond Age isn’t even Stephenson’s 3rd best book. Poor choice IMHO.
On December 23rd 2010, Tymm wrote:
Soo… I am legend wasn’t based off the fucking book… It’s sort of pathetic that stupid people like you don’t actually read the shit about movies… sort of depressing as well, shows what this world is coming to, eventually our whole world is going to become corrupt and fucking stupid.
On January 3rd 2011, katie wrote:
the road, i am legend, & world war z are not dystopian novels at all- they’re postapocalyptic. there’s a difference.
On January 14th 2011, firstandlast wrote:
‘Ishmael’s Apocalypse’ will be on this list soon.
On January 21st 2011, Scott DeCarlo wrote:
There are some really good YAL books that might deserve consideration-
The Chaos Walking series begining with The Knife of Never Letting Go
The Other Side of the Island
Feed
The House of the Scorpion
The His Dark Materials series (The Golden Compass)
On April 7th 2011, spencer wrote:
you left out the gormenghast books by mervyn peake. a city in decay ruled by obscure and pointless rituals.fantastic stuff!
On April 27th 2011, Clifford wrote:
Was it Really Love by Clifford Allan Sullivan
Synopsis: A futuristic, dystopian novel (with a 1920s style story). “”This is the story of Scott Breiman and Valorie,”” a love story and much more.””
About The Author: Clifford Allan Sullivan lives in New Brunswick (Canada). He writes screenplays, stageplays and novels. He gains nothing but pleasure from writing fiction. He’s an avid reader, a compulsive writer and a movie buff. Buy the book; enjoy the book. You will find it a pleasure to read… Author’s Website: http://cliffordallansullivan.webstarts.com
Available at: lulu.com (paperback edition), amazon.com (kindle edition) and many more…
On April 29th 2011, natural constipation remedy wrote:
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On May 28th 2011, J wrote:
I can’t believe someone said they didn’t like the book of I am Legend!! An abomination?? C’mon if you didn’t get it you can just say so. Also I didn’t like the comment “Without 1984, what else would we have to compare Governments to when they did something we slightly disagreed with?”, it’s a little infantile since civil liberties have been trampled on in both the UK and america to an alarming degree in the last ten or twenty years. London also has more CCTV cameras than all of the rest of Europe combined. There has even been far more disturbing applications of technology in the name of security than Eric Blair could even have imagined. Total domination of the hearts and minds aside it’s still a worrying trend that any normal person should feel uneasy about
On June 21st 2011, Elizabeth wrote:
Love your list and read many of the books you listed. when writing about I am Legend i noticed that you concentrated on Will Smith’ movie but how do feel about the earlier version of the film 1971′s The Omega Man?
On April 16th 2012, thedystopian wrote:
true!
On January 26th 2013, Melissa wrote:
Just an observation: You mentionmisogyny twice, yet only one of the 16 books are witten by a woman. That said, I like your list and your observations. I have not read all, but most, and everyone on the list that I have read, I would have to agree. I would say that at least 2 are missing, but they are both young adult so that might be the reason. Z for Zachariah and The Giver (1st of a trilogy), I guess The Hunger Games fits in this category as well, (also a trilogy) so that would be a third book to add to the list. Oh just one more to add, Woman Out of Time. –And The Parable of the Sower of course, (a set of 2 books I think) oh never mind, I guess we need a top 20 list ;) P.S. All of these suggestions are written by women. <3