Be it sci-fi or the story of a post-apocalyptic world, dystopian books are special and often carry a warning for the future. Best Dystopian books always ask big-scale life questions with lots of adventure to explore and challenges to pass by. In a true sense, a well-written dystopian novel will always be close to your heart.
While movies and series are a great source to connect to dystopian stories, some classic reads can surely keep you hooked in its tome of adventure.
Here, we have prepared a list of the 10 best dystopian books you will love reading.
Check it out now!
10 Best Dystopian Books That You Will Love To Read
1. Fahrenheit 451
Highlights
- Author: Ray Bradbury
- Published in: 2012
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Fahrenheit 451 depicts a dystopian scenario that may seem terrifying to book lovers. The 451-degree Fahrenheit is the temperature at which paper burns. As the name suggests, the book tells the story of a dystopian time when books were burned and intellectual thinking was no longer legal. The story revolves around Guy Montag, a fireman by profession. He finds himself disillusioned with his job as he has been asked to set fire to the books rather than put them off.
While the authoritarian government does not allow people to think too much, Montag tries to open his mind through the mysteries of the written words. The famous Red Scare of 1940 prompted the author to pen his thoughts to showcase his eternal love for books.
You should read this book if you love reading timeless dystopian novels. Also, it’s a must-read if the idea of a society that leads to appreciating curiosity, free will, and self-expression without consequences resonates well with you.
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2. The Silence
Highlights
- Author: Don DeLillo
- Published in: 2020
- Publisher: Picador
The Silence by Don DeLillo is a distinct dystopian tale. Rather than digging into how mankind would struggle to exist in the aftermath of a tragedy, the book concentrates on the exact moment of occurrence.
Although it began before COVID-19, it is set at a period when a virus that wiped out the streets is still fresh in our memory and an even bigger tragedy is poised to hit. This is a brilliant short tale on human life during a crisis.
You can buy this book from here.
3. To Paradise
Highlights
- Author: Hanya Yanagihara
- Published in: 2022
- Publisher: Picador
To Paradise is divided into three symphonic sections: one set in 1890s New York, one in 1990s Manhattan, and one in the dystopian 2090s.
This dystopian world is ruled by plagues as well as authoritarian governance. The daughter of a powerful scientist is attempting to find out how to survive without him while simultaneously attempting to uncover the mystery of her husband’s disappearance.
In addition, these three sections combine to form a captivating whole. The book reveals an investigation of how different Americans coexist within the dystopia. It also tells how those who are fortunate enough to be rich and healthy and people who are sick or maybe poor unite to protect each other in a crisis.
You can buy this book from here.
4. The Road
Highlights
- Author: Cormac McCarthy
- Published in: 2006
- Publisher: Knopf
The Road brings us to a world broken by an unspecified disaster. Frenetic dashes for food and supplies have replaced ordinary lives for those still alive. In this harsh “eat or be eaten” scenario, a father and his young boy go south in preparation for winter, spurred by their desire to discover and join the “good guys.”
Make no mistake: this is a really sad novel. McCarthy’s dismal words bring this post-extinction scenario to life before readers’ eyes, from harsh atmospheres to the sad loss of mankind, both physically and morally.
Rather than critiquing our society’s institutions, The Road asks us to go within and analyze our compassion in an increasingly competitive and individualistic world.
You can buy this book from here.
5. The Children of Men
Highlights
- Author: P.D James
- Published in: 1993
- Publisher: Knopf
James’s 1992 novel, set in 2021, depicts a society torn apart by infertility. As the last humans born on Earth are slain in a bar brawl and the planet collapses into chaos with no future for humanity, historian Theo Faron becomes embroiled in a political battle with his despotic cousin, Xan.
The problems, however, take a new turn when Theo discovers that there may be some chance for a future after all.
The Children of Men offers an alternative picture of humanity’s demise, one caused by something far more credible than the Holocaust or an ice age. While our 2020 (thankfully!) does not appear to be leading us to the extinction of our species, Theo Faron’s dramatic trip may surprise you with how near we are to the issue of depopulation.
You can buy this book from here.
6. The Drowned World
Highlights
- Author: J.G. Ballard
- Published in: 2012
- Publisher: Liveright Pub Corp
The Earth sweats in 2145 as global warming takes over, flooding towns and transforming creatures into monsters. Dr. Robert Kerans and his crew journey into an undiscovered region to investigate the now-wild world as these archaic beasts decimate civilization.
The Drowned World, published in 1962, is one of the early works of “cli-fi” (climate fiction). This thrilling tale transports us to the new unknown, where once-built areas have been transformed into hot tropical labyrinths. However, it is more than just an adventure: Ballard’s story is ultimately a brilliant Trojan Horse to investigate the consequences of this gruesome prospect and its psychological effects on humanity.
You can buy this book from here.
7. Noughts & Crosses
Highlights
- Author: Malorie Blackman
- Published in: 2001
- Publisher: Doubleday Children
Malorie Blackman’s award-winning Noughts and Crosses series, of which this is the first novel, depicts a dystopian society in which white Noughts are considered inferior. In contrast, black Crosses are born into luxury and perceived as superior in every way.
It follows Sephy and Callum, who, despite their childhood bond, are fated to become bitter adversaries. Sephy is a Cross, dark-skinned, gorgeous, and the daughter of a prominent politician, whereas Callum is a Nought, white and impoverished, living solely to serve Crosses.
Against all obstacles, star-crossed lovers Sephy and Callum choose one another, and this compelling drama unfolds, reversing the usual racial stereotypes we see in our society.
You can buy this book from here.
8. The End We Start From
Highlights
- Author: Megan Hunter
- Published in: 2017
- Publisher: Black Cat
A mother gives birth to her first child while apocalyptic floods drown London. As the baby develops and survives despite the odds, the family is forced to evacuate in search of safety, going from place to place on a voyage of horror and wonder. Megan Hunter’s lovely, simple writing creates a terrifyingly realistic imagined future.
In the book, Megan Hunter has amicably penned the juxtaposition of two opposite sides of life. On one side is the protagonist, thrilled by the very start of her motherhood. On the other hand, there is the story of the end times when people lose their ways in the disturbance.
As words came across as arts, with its captivating writing, ‘The End We Start From’ is one of the best dystopian novels ever.
You can buy this book from here.
9. The Power
Highlights
- Author: Naomi Alderman
- Published in: 2017
- Publisher: Little Brown and Company
A male author writes a work of historical fiction outlining how this matriarchy came to be five thousand years later, producing a meta book within a book that allows Alderman to remark on men’s perspective of this transformation discreetly. The genesis tale, spurred by women’s unexpected acquisition of electrical abilities, is set in the twenty-first century, intertwining the experiences of many women from all over the world who nurture this power to turn the tables on those who have been suffocating them.
You will be disappointed if you walk into this book expecting a gender equality paradise. The Power is a book about institutional inequality as much as it is about women’s struggle. The story’s unusual idea tackles the complexity and difficulties that the characters with superpowers face, finally issuing a warning against going too far in our effort to correct an imbalance.
You can buy this book from here.
10. Never Let Me Go
Highlights
- Author: Kazuo Ishiguro
- Published in: 2005
- Publisher: Knopf
Never Let Me Go opens with a nanny in her thirties reminiscing about her school days when she stumbles across former classmates. While this may appear to be another young adult novel inadvertently included to a list of dystopian literature, don’t be fooled. As we delve more into Kathy H.’s recollections, components of an unusual and terrifying society will emerge.
Ishiguro’s simple yet passionate style guides the reader through the maze, capturing the everlasting dilemma of morality in an age of swiftly growing medical science. The setting of Never Let Me Go in the 1980s, rather than the distant future, lends the narrative a frightening feeling of realism, pushing Ishiguro’s comments home.
You can buy this book from here.
Conclusion
These are some of the best dystopian books you will ever read. However, there are also some timeless dystopias, such as The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood, Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, and We by Yevgeny Zamyatin, to name a few, that will always give you a big ride into the imagination.
That’s all. Hope you find the books from our list interesting. Don’t forget to mention which one you liked the most in the comment section below.
Happy reading!
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What makes a book dystopian?
Dystopian books typically portray a society where things have gone wrong, often due to oppressive governments, environmental disasters, or technological advancements.
2. Are dystopian books only about bleak futures?
While dystopian books often depict grim futures, they can also offer hope, resilience, and opportunities for change.
3. Why are dystopian books popular?
Dystopian books resonate with readers because they explore important societal issues, challenge the status quo, and offer cautionary tales about the consequences of certain actions or ideologies.