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What is a Dystopian Novel?

A dystopian novel is a genre of literature in which our current society or world has gone downhill. There are many examples of how a dystopian may happen. For example there could be a virus which is killing many people around the world. There could be a shortage of water and food. There may be a war which is tearing family and friends apart. In a dystopian novel there is usually a hero and/or heroine who wants to change the way in which there current world operates. They are mostly consider rebels and they may want to create a new version of their society. A dystopian changes the world in which the characters in the novel live. 

Dystopian Novel Examples

Below I have listed a variety of Dystopian novels, which cover a variety of social issues all while being under the literature genre of dystopian. These are definitely not all of the dystopian novel which exist, these are just some of the popular ones. I have listed the book covers, the first book in the series synopsis, authors websites where you can find more information about the books mentioned. Another item listed are is some of the movie trailers because some of these books have been adapted into film. Also, the movie adaptations don’t usually follow the same order as the book. This may be because films, mainly films shown in theaters have more constraints than a book does. So, here are 4 fantastic book to movie adaptions.

1| The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins Book Synopsis:

“When 16-year-old Katniss’s young sister, Prim, is selected as District 12’s female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart Peeta, are pitted against bigger, stronger representatives, some of whom have trained for this their whole lives. , she sees it as a death sentence. But Katniss has been close to death before. For her, survival is second nature.” –Suzanne Collins/Goodreads

Suzanne Collins’s Website

http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/

2| The Divergent Trilogy by Veronica Roth

  Photo Credit: http://bookriot.com/2013/10/14/beyond-bestsellers-youve-read-divergent/

Divergent by Veronica Roth Book Synopsis:

“In Beatrice Prior’s dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision…she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.”   — Veronica Roth/Goodreads

Veronica Roth’s Tumblr

http://www.theartofnotwriting.tumblr.com/

3|The Giver by Lois Lowry  

 

Photo Credit: https://www.raisingarizonakids.com/2012/10/meet-lois-lowry-and-win-the-giver-quartet/  

The Giver by Lois Lowry Book Synopsis: 

“Jonas’s world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war or fear or pain. There are no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the Community. When Jonas turns twelve, he is singled out to receive special training from The Giver. The Giver alone holds the memories of the true pain and pleasure of life. Now, it is time for Jonas to receive the truth. There is no turning back.” — Lois Lowry/Goodreads

Lois Lowry’s Website

http://www.loislowry.com/

4| The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

Photo Credit: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38447.The_Handmaid_s_Tale

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood Book Synopsis

“Offred is a Handmaid in the Republic of Gilead. Offred and the other Handmaids are valued only if their ovaries are viable. Offred can remember the years before, when she lived and made love with her husband, Luke; when she played with and protected her daughter; when she had a job, money of her own, and access to knowledge. But all of that is gone now…”   — Margaret Atwood/Goodreads

Margaret Atwood’s Website

http://www.margaretatwood.ca/

Popularity of Dystopian Novels

Why are dystopian novels, so popular? One reason is that we can see an alternate version of our world and our reality. As readers we can imagine how our currently lives can turn downhill. I think it is also a way a creating a fantasy world, even though its a world in where we wouldn’t want to live. When reading a dystopian novel there is a lot of creativity involved. We are given a familiar world and setting, but yet there is something different. Dystopian novels also create what if scenarios. There are just some of the reasons why a person may want to read a dystopian novel.

The Future of Dystopian Novels

Dystopian books are very popular in the book market and they have been around for a long time and they will continue to be, because it is interesting to make the world a different place than its reality.