Top 12 Dystopian Novels
Published on March 12, 2008 - 125 Comments
Literature has been a defining part of culture since the beginning of language. The dangers of modern times have led to the writing of dystopian novels, novels which warn of an unhappy future. Many people think of Dystopian novels as purely science fiction—while science fiction is a natural fit for a dystopian story, not all dystopian books are considered science fiction. Without further delay, here are the 12 best dystopian novels.
This novel isn’t the 12th best on the list (it would be rated much higher in my opinion) but it’s at number twelve because of the on going argument whether this is truly a dystopian novel or not. The definition of dystopia isn’t necessarily clear, though the general definition is that it is a society in which misery and negative conditions prevail (or a seeming utopia gained at horrifying costs.)
As far as a dysfunctional society, the island with its stranded little boys is it, and once the conch shell is no longer seen as authority, everything breaks apart. If anyone wants to argue that an anarchy could work, this book would be an immediate argument against it. This is an incredible psychological work, and I’d say their society is definitely dysfunctional enough to count as a dystopia.
This story comes from the first person Offred. Offred is a maid in a time when fertile women are forced to be breeding machines to keep the human population going. This takes place because the world is a post-nuclear world where many women can’t have children. This is a very theocratic society, and this book tends to be very pro-feminist and anti-religious, which causes it to often be protested. This is a great dystopian tale that is frightening because the logic of how the society became the way it is happens to be very believable.
Most of William Gibson’s novels revolve around a dystopian future society, but Neuromancer may be the best of them all. This novel won the sci-fi “triple crown” for writers by winning the Nebula, Hugo, and Philip K. Dick awards. In the seedy underground of a Japanese city, a computer hacker is hired to work on the ultimate hack. In a world flushed with AI, virtual reality, genetic engineering, and corporations overpowering nations, the adventure follows. Gibson beat many modern sci-fi writers to the punch, and this dystopian novel is one of the most influential in modern times.
Iron Heel is an excellent dystopian novel about the rise of a tyrannical corporate oligarchy in the United States. This book doesn’t pay attention to technology the way most future dystopian science fiction novels do now. This work stressed changes in society and politics, with the oligarchy formed by robber barons whom bankrupt all the middle class and seize power before enforcing a “caste system” of workers. This was a fantastic dystopian novel that was far ahead of its time.
Written by Stephen King under the penname of Richard Bachman, “The Running Man” is a fantastic dystopian novel about a frightening future where ratings and entertainment takes form in a man hunt, and where even the “winners” are losers. This novel is far superior to the movie, and in my opinion is one of the best novels written by Stephen King. “The Long Walk” is also an honorable mention.
I’ve probably read over 200 books the last two years, and among many good novels, “Armageddon’s Children” has been one of my favorites. This is one of the best novels written by Terry Brooks, and takes place in a post apocalyptic world around 2100, following (among others) a lone remaining knight trying desperately to fight off the demon onslaught and a group of street gang kids who roam the remains of Seattle trying to survive. The fantasy world of Shannara was supposedly spawned from the post apocalyptic wastes of Earth, and this series bridges the gap between the two.
This dystopian novel is another example of a post-nuclear world. This time the dystopia comes from a “need” for purity. As humans are being born with increasing levels of mutations and deformities, the state decides to execute anyone who isn’t “perfect,” meaning even one extra toe can be a death sentence. This attempt at forcing perfection in a post apocalyptic world is disturbing and effective, and has spawned many imitators.
Most people will know about the film with Clive Owen and Julianne Moore. The movie was very good, but is far different from the book. In this world, for reasons unknown, all men’s sperm count plummeted to zero, and without reason or explanation, mankind now faces its own extinction. The fear mongering during this time has allowed governments extraordinary powers to keep the peace, and when a woman becomes pregnant, the implications are enormous.
“The Time Machine” is one of the best science fiction novels to ever be written. This novel is the story of “The Time Traveler” who builds a machine that allows him to travel to the far distant future. While this might not seem dystopian at first glance, but a seemingly gentle and happy society is plagued by predators who harvest people for food…if that doesn’t qualify as a crappy dystopian society, I don’t know what does. The hero tells his story to a man of his time, grabs weapons, and goes back into the future never to return. This novel is where the term “time machine” even came from.
This isn’t the best written novel, but it is one of the big three of the dystopian science fiction novels. This could very well be the most recognizable of the big three, as “1984″ is synonymous with tyrannical governments, fascism, and dystopian science fiction. Even the phrases “1984″ and “Big Brother” are now part of the common culture. Orwell’s detailed novel shows how a government can manipulate the people by manipulating the truth and manipulating the news. This book is the source for arguing against a far right government getting unfettered power.
Guy Montag begins this classic novel as a fireman: meaning he is a man society calls on to burn all books, which are outlawed. Unlike “1984″ or “Brave New World,” “451″ doesn’t speak politically against the left or the right politically, but speaks against the dumbing down of society, specifically on how Hollywood pop culture slush and TV entertainment can create an entire nation of people who are not only incapable of fighting for their rights, but who don’t even realize the importance of doing so. This is a brilliant novel that shows Guy going from soldier of the state to an independent free thinker who must go on the run to survive.
While this dystopian masterpiece and “Fahrenheit 451″ could be interchangeable as the top two, “Brave New World” gets the nod because the writing itself is the best. This novel is incredible, showing a society where left leaning thinking and self hedonism is taken so far to the extreme that one person’s utopia turns out to be an appalling place where the irony of a peaceful existence has caused society to lose all concept of art, honor, religious beliefs, or anything that often defines culture. The “utopia” has people who have no sympathy, no empathy, and this vision of a future is as chilling as any other on this list.
Contributor: Shane Dayton
Related ListsTop 10 Most Influential Science Fiction WritersTop 10 Dystopian Films You Haven’t Seen Top 15 Science Fiction Book Series Top 15 Stephen King Books |
SubscriptionsLike this article? Subscribe to the RSS feed to keep 'em coming, or subscribe via email: |
If you find this site helpful, please leave a donation so you can enjoy the spirit of giving too.
Email This Post
1. tngolferguy - March 12th, 2008 at 7:55 am
Great list. Another could be Jennifer Government. Just got done reading it. Basically, in the near future Corporations run the world. Good book.
2. maazin - March 12th, 2008 at 7:58 am
wow I love Stuff to do with Dystopian
3. 23RedLeader - March 12th, 2008 at 8:00 am
lord of the flies was a gread read…i was forced to though by my 9th grade teacher!
4. 23RedLeader - March 12th, 2008 at 8:04 am
*great* typo, sorry!
5. Mom424 - March 12th, 2008 at 8:04 am
Great List Shane! My reading list is getting way too extensive.
Going to have to become a hermit to get caught up. Five more to add.
6. Shaboinka86 - March 12th, 2008 at 8:04 am
Wasn’t it Clive Owen and not Richard Gere in Children of Men?
7. cheapswill - March 12th, 2008 at 8:04 am
Great list! I will definitely add a couple of these to my “must read” pile.
A small correction about #5… the film version of “Children of Men” stars Julian Moore and Clive Owen, not Richard Gere.
8. Squall - March 12th, 2008 at 8:04 am
It was simple, but I always loved The Giver by Lois Lowry.
9. Drelo - March 12th, 2008 at 8:07 am
Did anyone read Synners by Pat Cadigan?
10. copperdragon - March 12th, 2008 at 8:09 am
great list! I’ve read 6 of the 10, with 1984, Brave New World and Time Machine as my favorites.
how about Animal Farm? Dystopia from a different point of view.
11. cparker - March 12th, 2008 at 8:10 am
My definite favorite was the classic 1984. However, even though not literature but a comic, V for Vendetta impressed me as well.
12. copperdragon - March 12th, 2008 at 8:12 am
is Dune considered dystopian?
13. littlegraysheep - March 12th, 2008 at 8:20 am
Forest Gump is the scarriest! I hope nixon never becomes president!
14. Random - March 12th, 2008 at 8:21 am
Great list! I remember reading Lord of the Flies in high school…all I can say is poor Piggy!
15. MiSaNtHrOpE - March 12th, 2008 at 8:23 am
This list is excellent. However, I have just one complaint:
You are missing two very important dystopian works:
We the Living by Ayn Rand (the most “novelistic” of her novels; depicts Soviet Russia in 1922)
and WE by Yevgeny Zamyatin, which greatly influenced both Orwell and Huxley.
I think all three of the big dystopian novels (1984, BNW, F451) are true; that is to say, I think we have elements of all three: We have an ambitious government, we watch too much TV, and most people in America don’t even really care. We also have pervasive, terrible influence of religion in society, which, is detailed in The Handmaid’s Tale (especially Becky Fischer [Jesus Camp] as Aunt Lydia, who is the most terrifying villain I have ever come across.
16. Randall - March 12th, 2008 at 8:34 am
Shane:
Some of this list is on the mark, but some of it seems like you haven’t done your homework. Neglecting to include Zemyatin’s “We” is a bad oversight–it’s one of the seminal dystopian novels of the 20th century, a huge influence on “Brave New World” and specifically mentioned by Orwell as one of his inspirations for “1984.”
Leaving off Vonnegut’s “Player Piano” and Koestler’s book… I think it was “Darkness at Noon” are oversights as well….
What about Harry Harrison’s “Make Room, Make Room”?
But you DO include “The Handmaids Tale,” which is the most overrated, pretentious piece of crap spit out in the last 30 years.
And I don’t view “The Time Machine” as dystopian per se. It’s more a post-war devastation piece…. there’s no real “society” there that Wells is using as an ugly mirror image of ours… oh, people have argued that in a loose sense that the relationship between the Morlocks and the Eloi *is* representative, in some ways, of modern society—but this isn’t painted in a dystopian sense.
17. Csimmons - March 12th, 2008 at 8:35 am
I have read the top 3 and agree with #1, it truly has the best writing.
18. Q - March 12th, 2008 at 8:35 am
The perfect thing about Brave New World is that there is really nothing wrong with it. Everyone is happy and the only purpose of the government is to keep everyone happy. Racism, crime, poorness, genetic disease, old age, filth, and selfishness are all gone. Even those who do not conform can live out their lives is full happiness on islands around the world.
19. Emeraldi - March 12th, 2008 at 8:41 am
Fantastic List! Has anybody here ever read ‘Amusing Ourselves to Death’ by Neil Postman? Its not a novel by sorts because its not a fictional story, its more of an academic commentary. If you liked the books on this list, especially 451 and A Brave New World I would definitely check it out.
20. DanOhh - March 12th, 2008 at 8:43 am
One of my favorite dystopian books I read was Curious George: The story of a world were men can to only wear yellow and big hats plus they have monkeys for servents.
21. romerozombie - March 12th, 2008 at 8:43 am
Out of the books mentioned, I’ve only ever read The Long Walk, which I think is much better than The Running Man.
22. romerozombie - March 12th, 2008 at 8:44 am
…And I’ve read The Running Man. ooop.
23. jfrater - March 12th, 2008 at 8:51 am
Oh - interestingly, Huxley also wrote a book called the Island which is a utopian novel. I have it beside my bed but stopped reading it when I bought a new copy of Atlas Shrugged which I am now reading again. Who is John Galt?
24. islanderbst - March 12th, 2008 at 8:58 am
so we got top dystopian films last week, now dystopian novels? someone needs to cheer up a bit!
25. Mandi - March 12th, 2008 at 8:59 am
Great list! The one I’m really surprised isn’t on here is Stephen King’s “The Stand”. Scared the crap out of me the first time I read it and every time since.
26. poptart - March 12th, 2008 at 9:11 am
Clive Owen is in Children of Men, not Richard Gere.
Besides that, this list is great!
27. D Holmes - March 12th, 2008 at 9:12 am
I try really hard to complain about the lists, but this is starting to get frustrating.
Whats with lack of Philip K. Dick in these lists?
First most influential sci-fi writers and now this.
Please, at least give this fantastic writer some credit.
He kinda knew a thing or two about science fiction and dystopian novels with ‘Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep’, ‘Flow My Tears, The Policeman Said’, the novella ‘Minority Report’, ‘Ubik’, ‘The Man in the High Castle’, and so and so forth. Any of these are great examples of a dystopian novel.
*Flame resistent pants on*
28. JMC - March 12th, 2008 at 9:12 am
This Perfect Day should have made the list. I’m also astonished that you put BNW at #1 for “best writing.” On the contrary, of the dozens of dystopian novels I’ve read BNW has some of the worst, least engaging writing of all of them.
29. D Holmes - March 12th, 2008 at 9:21 am
@romerozombie:
I loved the Long Walk as well, but I think th Running Man is a better representation of a dystopian society. The Long Walk focuses less on the dystopian society itself, but more on the boys themselves and how they took the greatest chance to survive within this society.
The Long Walk is fairly mum on the world outside of this boy’s heads besides a breif rundown in the begininng. Which I think makes the book more effective as it forces you to wonder what state the world would have to be in if there was a very popular game where 99 TEENAGE boys die (a hundreth if you also take in the death of one’s humanity and connection to the world). Its all good fun.
The Running Man goes into much greater detail into how that society is a dystopia. Such as how the “Games” control the people and their lives. How people find enjoyment in watching people with bad hearts and cripples continuosly run on treadmills for bucks. About what drives people to put themselves through that. It presents the problems in that society without posing questions.
If any of that made sense, let me know.
30. Jackie - March 12th, 2008 at 9:21 am
I’m glad The Long Walk was mentioned. Everyone should read that book, it was really unnverving, creepy and just plain scary.
31. jfrater - March 12th, 2008 at 9:22 am
D Holmes: feel free to send in a list - I accept and often publish submitted lists - then you don’t need to be frustrated any longer!
Oh - and check this out:
http://listverse.com/literatur.....ion-books/
Dick is number 11 - we haven’t ignored him completely
32. D Holmes - March 12th, 2008 at 9:23 am
@islanderbst
Or maybe hug.
Perhaps someone didn’t get enough attention as a child?
33. Tenebrae - March 12th, 2008 at 9:26 am
I think “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” should have gotten an honorable mention, at least. It’s truly tragic and beautiful at the same time.
34. D Holmes - March 12th, 2008 at 9:27 am
@jfrater
I remember that list from a way back, but I find it a crime to not include him in either of the previous lists (crime in MY world, at least. Which has zero influence).
I’ve considered sending in a list of that type, but I don’t want to be redundant.
I do have a couple of presidental lists in the pipeline. I can promise that they will create some interesting debates.
35. jfrater - March 12th, 2008 at 9:35 am
D Holmes: great! Political lists are always interesting - I look forward to it.
36. Chris - March 12th, 2008 at 9:55 am
There are some excellent books on this list, and after seeing the Running man film with Arnold, I have always wanted to read the book.
37. JMurf - March 12th, 2008 at 10:07 am
Was Huxley half responsible for triggering Timothy Leary’s obsession with conscious expanding drugs? Just wondering, I could be wrong
38. AmazingThor - March 12th, 2008 at 10:18 am
Pretty much all of the Bachman books (A collection of Stephen King’s pseudonym). The collection of his first four is now out of print but they have released them all as separate books: Roadwork, Running Man, Long Walk, Rage (unfortunately not reprinted at SK’s request).
39. Purdnasty - March 12th, 2008 at 10:26 am
awesome list
40. Teedyman - March 12th, 2008 at 10:34 am
Great list, but one problem I feel - I didn’t see A Clockwork Orange anywhere. Why? - If that isn’t distopyia i don’t know what is.
41. jfrater - March 12th, 2008 at 11:00 am
Teedyman: It is interesting you should say that - a lot of people complained about the inclusion of Clockwork Orange on the top 10 dystopian movies list. And to be honest, I think that Burgess wrote other books that were far more dystopian than Clockwork Orange - The Wanting Seed for example - perhaps his greatest work. A quote from the book:
42. Ginger Lee - March 12th, 2008 at 11:04 am
Sadly missing:
A Clockwork Orange
Animal Farm
Dick’s short stories
V for Vendetta graphic novels
Sin City graphic novels (fairly dystopian IMO)
I also consider Moore’s Utopia a form of the dystopian genre in that when it compares to reality it cannot exist. I got into a debate w/ a professor about that.
Mein Kampf has it’s own dystopic undertones with a non-Nazi view from the reader, but I don’t know if that’d count.
I also agree w/ Mandi about The Stand.
43. Nelia - March 12th, 2008 at 11:04 am
Handmaid’s Tale is brilliant, I love Atwood’s stuff. So many excellent books on this list! Though I have to agree with Teedyman, A Clockwork Orange would have been a good addition. I’m not sure of your exact criteria, however, so I’ll assume you have your reasons.
And it has been mentioned a couple times, but I’ll throw in another vote for Richard Gere not being in Children of Men… Can we edit it to Clive?
44. rearden - March 12th, 2008 at 11:11 am
jfrater: glad to hear it.
45. jfrater - March 12th, 2008 at 11:29 am
Argh! (Re the Richard Gere error) - I have fixed it.
46. Riley - March 12th, 2008 at 11:38 am
I had to read the Crysalids in school… and I HATED it. Maybe I was too young at the time, but it was probably the worst book I was ever assigned.
47. Dave’s_Kicking_Game - March 12th, 2008 at 11:42 am
I just have a question about the description of 1984. It says it is an argument against far right governments… perhaps its just a confusion of terms on my part but: The government described in 1984 basis itself off of a concept called Ingsoc (English Socialism).. wouldn’t that be a far left?
… just a question.
48. SocialButterfly - March 12th, 2008 at 11:53 am
I honestly wasn’t sure what Dystopian menat until I read this list. I instantly started wondering if The Chrysalids was going to be on here.
The Chrysalids was one of my favourite novels from school. I read it occasionally now to remind myself of the themes. It seems to be a love it or hate it type of book (see post #46) but I thought it was great.
Thank you for including it!
49. ian - March 12th, 2008 at 11:58 am
lord of the flies is a good book. i had to read it on my because my school banned it. why, i still dont know. but id have to agree with a few of the comments ive seen animal farm deserves a place on this list.
50. romerozombie - March 12th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
I agree with what you said DHolmes, and that’s why I think The Long Walk its better - there’s more humanity in it, and the ambiguity of their situation, not knowing all the ins-and-outs of their dystopian is more harrowing, I think.
51. romerozombie - March 12th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
*dystopian society
52. Borg - March 12th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
It’s hard to say whether Lord of the Flies is, in fact, a dystopian novel. The inspiration for the novel stems from the idea of a “state of nature”, a state existing prior or apart from society. There is no society in Lord of the Flies and the story’s plot revolves around the absence of regular society’s influence on the boys. If a dystopia is defined as a SOCIETY in which misery or negative conditions prevail then I don’t think Lord of the Flies applies.
53. anthony p - March 12th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Whats a book again?
54. Tonny SS - March 12th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
It’s that thing with just words and letter where people read and use imagination, I think.
55. Arisma - March 12th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
I’ve gotten around to some of the books on this list and have enjoyed them all. I’ll be sure to look into the ones I’ve not yet devoured.
I’m not entirely sure if it classifies strictly as dystopian, but the Wraeththu books are amazing. Has anyone else read them?
56. victor - March 12th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
I’ve read both f451 and 1984 n IMO I believe that 1984 should be above f451….no valid reason only because I liked it more and it seems to have more of a lasting effect than f451.
Brave new world is my next book (ap reading list) hopefully it is as good as every1 says
57. Jordan G - March 12th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
World War Z
The Stand
These are my favorite dystopian novels.
58. danielle - March 12th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Brilliant list!
Though I haven’t read most of them, I would agree with most everything but the chrysalids. Something about that book I just couldn’t enjoy…
Brave new World as number one just fits perfectly, though.
59. Dana - March 12th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
The problem with calling “Brave New World” dysutopian is that…well, the population is happy. Albeit, they are happy because they are conditioned to be happy, but still, they’re happy. Very few are disatisfied.
Not saying that I’d want to live in that world though.
Good list - I look forward to these kind of lists!
60. Kelsi - March 12th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Excellent list! I love utopian/dystopian novels, although there are many on this list that I have not read. Thanks for the leisure material suggestions. =)
61. jfrater - March 12th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Dana: I believe it is considered dystopian when a society if forcefully drugged by the government - regardless of how utopian the result may be
62. alexlwe - March 12th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
i thought 1984 was very well written… It made animal farm a lot easier to understand.
63. Dana - March 12th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Jamie: Well, you have a point there. I’d still like to get my hands on one of those vibro machines though to suck all the fat out…
64. jfrater - March 12th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Dana: haha - I would like to get my hands on the drugs!
65. rational - March 12th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
i just finished reading a book called “The Road” which was a great read, its dystopian but it is vauge on what happened, you get the jist of nuclear war though. there is no “message” in it, just a father and son trying to survive in a world o no food, no communication, no sunlight no anything except for the occasional gang of bad guys who are out to get what you have since there are such scarce resources. emotionally involving and just a great read
66. goof_ball - March 12th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
NERD LIST!!!! lol JK JK!!!! It’s a good list!
67. mariecardona - March 12th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
I’m a high school English teacher, and in my freshman honors class, I changed the curriculum to feature a large dystopian unit because I looove it. This year, we read Night (Elie Wiesel) for totalitarian background, 1984, “Minority Report” (P.K. Dick), and “Harrison Bergeron” (Kurt Vonnegut). Next year, I’m adding the novella Anthem (Ayn Rand). They’re finishing up now with a research paper connected to dystopias and/or something they want to know more about that is related to one of those works of literature (or from Catcher in the Rye, their last summer reading book).
68. dtidew - March 12th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
Number one is definately true!
I read Brave New World in 10th grade and it is amazing. It really makes you think about our individuality.
And is Frankenstein a dystopian novel? Because that would definately on the list.
69. SarahJ - March 12th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
I read The children of men just a few months ago (must have head buried, as I didn’t realize there was a movie) I started to read it and then couldn’t put it down. Great list. Thanks
70. stevenh - March 12th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
Thank you Jamie for comment #41.
As I read this list I was sure that “The Wanting Seed” woul dbe in the top three or four. It is way more powerful than his Clockwork Orange (either the US or Euro version).
Of course, I would include Burgess just because he was a rather Dystopian Individual.
For a Very Interesting Read , I would recommend ta visit to:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Burgess
(look under habits - smoking, sex, and drink)
’nuff said
71. Jen - March 12th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Dave’s_Kicking_Game:
True socialism is usually considered far left, but the “Ingsoc” in 1984 isn’t really socialism; it’s just another example of the “doublethink” that the government uses to control people in the book. Remember the slogan, “War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery,Ignorance is Strength?” And Winston worked destroying documents in the so-called “Ministry of Truth” and was tortured in the “Ministry of Love?”
72. lando - March 12th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
good list. Brave New World is definitly my favorite dystopian novel. Although I am saddened not to see Player Piano on the list.
73. PILCHARD - March 12th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Great list , well done , I have read them all and many others ,it is a great genre’ .
74. phylo - March 12th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
Zero Vonnegut = Zero credibility
75. gcat - March 12th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
Kurt Vonneguts Cats Cradle might be a good one to add
76. bobbym51 - March 12th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
If you have not read Cormac McCarthy’s “The Road” then I can excuse its absence from this list. Of all the post apocalyptic novels I have read over the past 40 years this one best portrays the hopelessness of a bleak and doomed world after mankind’s greatest folly is realized.
A world absent plant and animal life, where the sun only glowers behind a permanent cloud cover and the moon is never seen, a remnant of humanity who subsist on scavenging the remains of civilization and eventually devolve into deranged cannibalism, THIS is the setting for a story about a man and his small son and their fragile relationship.
Both heart wrenchingly tender and bleak at the same time, McCarthy’s novel SHOULD be considered a modern masterpiece.
77. Perry - March 12th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
No mention of Philip Wylie?
-Gladiator
-Triumph
-Generation of Vipers
How about John Hersey?
-My Petition For More Space
78. cKHAVIKk - March 12th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
I’m glad The Long Walk was mentioned. Everyone should read that book, it was really unnverving, creepy and just plain scary.
Frank Darabont has a film in the works. He is the director that brings us Stephen King’s finest to film, such as The Mist and The Green Mile.
79. SanelTop - March 12th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Hey bobbym51 The Road absolutely devastated me. I agree
80. matty s. - March 12th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
I think E.E. Knight’s Vampire Earth series deserves some attention here. I’m a big fan of dystopian, post apocalyptic novels, and his work is some of the best i’ve read in years.
81. anandaji67 - March 12th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
I’m suprised so many on here don’t disagree with the placement of 1984 and Brave New World. Most people I know would have them switched, but personally, I didn’t see anything special in 1984. I loved BNW, though. Cat’s Cradle, the first book I ever bought, is a huge miss here.
82. shannnon - March 12th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
I definitely agree with Brave New World being number one, it’s a great great great piece of literature. Definitely one of my favorites.
83. mrbizmark - March 12th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
A good, probably not worthy of the list, but still and enjoyable read is Atwood’s “Oryx and Crake”
84. Brian Moo - March 12th, 2008 at 10:13 pm
I do not believe Lord of the Flies to be a dystopian novel.
“Lord of the Flies has many dystopian qualities, but this island community cannot really be considered as a representative society.”
85. cooper - March 12th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
another good book is animal farm
another classic by george orwell
86. Alucard - March 12th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
I don’t want to look like an idiot here, but i have not read any of the books mentioned here, damn school curriculum! so can anyone suggest which one i should read first? or should i buy them all? (the books in the list i mean)
does this town need a hug? what happened? - john stewart
87. Mullaccio - March 13th, 2008 at 12:32 am
I would have 1984 placed above Brave New World for the simple reason that 1984 seems to be a more accurate depiction of the future. It can be argued that BNW is set further into the future so could possibly be a more accurate but, presently, the society in 1984 is scarily like the world we live in today. They both are amazing books however. Beyond thought provoking. Fucking life changing! It is an excellent genre.
Alucard- Of the books I have read I would recommend 1984.
88. ChrisG - March 13th, 2008 at 1:16 am
Interesting list. I have not heard of the Jack London novel, but I’ll check it out.
Brave New World, however, is VASTLY overrated. For dystopian fiction to work, it has to be realistic and it must fill the reader with revulsion. Huxley’s hackery fails on both counts. Name one thing wrong with a society in which everybody is completely happy. The only good ideas in this piece of garbage are the compartmentalization of society and the worship of Henry Ford (get it, society is an assembly line!), both of which had already been mentioned in Zamyatin’s WE. I hate, hate, hate Brave New World.
And Lord of the Flies is NOT dystopian fiction, in any sense of the term. It is allegory.
This list sucks!
This list sucks!
89. phubbie - March 13th, 2008 at 1:32 am
i have read 1984 at least once a year since i was thirteen and i still pick up on relevant orwellian ideas each time i read it
it has to be my favourite book of all time
i don’t know why it appeals to me so much but once i start reading it i cannot put it down
i believe it is very well written however i become increasingly paranoid and observant of going-ons around me after i read it
90. astraya - March 13th, 2008 at 2:47 am
Does anyone else remember the book “Andra” by Louise Lawrence or the tv series (any other Australians on listverse)?
“Andra is a 1971 science fiction novel, the first novel by English writer Louise Lawrence. The book is about a girl in the year 4000 living in an underground society who receives a brain transplant from a rebellious seventeen-year old from the 1980s. The book was adapted into an Australian children’s program. Despite the television series, the book was not intended for child audiences.” - wikipedia
It’s fairly light for a dystopia, but it was the first such novel that I read, before Lord of the Flies and Animal Farm. The boys generally hated it because the protagonist was a girl. I don’t remember the tv series as being for children.
I’m not suggesting that this book deserves to go on the list, but reading the list and the comments brought back memories.
91. Iain - March 13th, 2008 at 5:35 am
Agreeing with previous comments - Cormac McCarthy’s ‘The Road’ is a must read. It’s an absolute killer.
92. Ben - March 13th, 2008 at 6:49 am
I read this list and i am VERY sad that the book “We” is not on the list!
“We is a futuristic dystopian satire, generally considered to be the grandfather of the genre.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/We_(novel)
93. Kit - March 13th, 2008 at 7:24 am
I just have one comment regarding 1984. It was not a “far-right government.” The Big Brother government was a prediction of what life behind the Iron Curtain would be like. Remember “INGSOC,” English Socialism?
94. TLP - March 13th, 2008 at 7:36 am
I liked the utopia in Brave New World.
It was far more appealing than the savage colonies.
95. Randall - March 13th, 2008 at 7:43 am
Kit:
Excellent point, but what also has to be remembered is that Orwell was also pointing out to us how far Right and far Left eventually meet in their totalitarian horror.
96. cstrife16 - March 13th, 2008 at 8:41 am
out with Handmaid’s Tale and in with A Clockwork Orange. Not just a great dystopian novel, but one of the best of all time.
97. cstrife16 - March 13th, 2008 at 8:50 am
Oh also why is nothing from Philip K Dick on here. One of the great novelists. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep and Man in the High Castle are both great reads. Too bad this guy couldnt write a good ending to save his life.
98. chichikov - March 13th, 2008 at 9:17 am
Just wanted to mention Zamyatin’s “We” again. If anyone likes the top 3 books on this list, they need to read “We”. It’s better and was out years before. And whether Huxley admits it or not, he ripped off “We” with “A Brave New World”.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/We_(novel)
99. Phillies - March 13th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
The Road absolutely needs to be on this list. One of the best books I’ve read. Seriously, you might just start appreciating the world once you’ve read it.
100. Brett Callahan - March 13th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Nice list. I think you misspoke regarding 1984, however. While Orwell was an active democratic socialist for his whole life, the book is not just a depiction of a totalitarian right wing government gone awry. 1984 is a warning against all totalitarian governments, right wing, left wing or otherwise. Many of the traits of big brother are taken from far left demagogues such as Lenin or Stalin.
As others have mentioned, similar books that would deserve consideration for this list include “Alas, Babylon,” “We,” and “We the Living.” Honorable mention might go to the awesome and influential “V for Vendetta” Which is one of my favorite reads, but is not a novel.
101. grubthrower - March 13th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
I’m glad This Perfect Day was mentioned. But it was glossed over, so most of you probably don’t know it was written by Ira Levin (Rosemary’s Baby, The Boys From Brazil, a bunch of others that make him a genuine icon). TPD may be his least-known novel, and that’s a shame. Especially since it might be even better when read in our time, given the rise of RFID technology.
As for the Bachman discussion, I would argue that The Long Walk is phenomenally great dystopia… essentially for the reasons others have given that it is not!
With carefully calculated “asides” (e.g.’s a state-sponsored sociopath, flags in windows for those who “gave their lives” in the Squads, and outlawed music broken out at parties), we come to realize that for the majority of the People, as long as they have their bread-and-circus, they are *outwardly* willing to put up with the dystopia in which they find themselves. The subtlety of the inward dissatisfaction, played against the common-to-all-societies teen stories of trying to get laid, painted on the canvas of the brutality of the Walk itslef, is the novel’s brilliance in describing a particular dystopia — not a shortcoming in so doing. A masterwork in control of tone and creating a society with a minimum of information.
Another off-the-wall mention just so that someone might read the book: Star Rebel by F.M Busby. It spawned a bewildering number of sequels, weaving in and out of characters and time — time distorted by the vagaries of interstellar travel — but the original, despite its pedestrian title, is superb. Although, a case could be made that this is not dystopia… the totalitarianism is complete, but the human spirit is not resigned, just brutally suppressed and channelled into either sadistic sheepdogs or sullen, simmering sheep.
102. Milky - March 13th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
I read the Time Machine and it gave me nightmares for some reason.
103. liz156 - March 14th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
I read Children on Men close to when it was published and I have loved dystopian novels ever since. Great list. I’ve read about half of them but now have more to check out when I go to the library!
104. liz156 - March 14th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Oh! I also agree with mrbizmark, “Oryx and Crake” was a pretty good one too.
105. Emily - March 14th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
Nevil Shute’s “On the Beach”—nuff said.
106. suzi - March 15th, 2008 at 1:12 am
I’ve been reading P D James’ other novels for years, and did not know what Children of Men would be. Definitely belongs on this list. Handmaid’s Tale kind of came apart towards the end for me, the first 2/3rd was brilliant.
Not sure about Lord of the Flies, either. I’d probably replace with “We the Living”.
Thought provoking list. Haven’t thought about some of these books for years.
107. John C. - March 16th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Left off list: Arthur Koestler, Darkness at Noon.
Orwell was a socialist and supporter of the Labour Party, but also an anti-Stalinist, and Oceania is based on the Soviet Union, not Nazi Germany. Bernard Crick quotes him describing the Soviet Union as “a system of oligarchical collectivism,” a phrase used by Goldstein (Trotsky) to describe Oceania and Ingsoc.
108. Trint - March 17th, 2008 at 11:36 am
I like the look of this list, but to have a list of dystopian novels and not include “The Road” by Cormac McCarthy is woefully negligent. “The Road” left me reeling, as it can be set in anytime, any country. I could read this book on a sunny day in a well lit room and I would shiver.
109. Dabi71 - March 17th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
I would add Blindness by Jose Saramago, and The Road by Cormac McCarthy.
110. JMS Bones - March 17th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
No ‘We’ makes this list a colossal joke.
111. Denzell - March 18th, 2008 at 11:09 pm
I thought The Giver should qualify in this list.
112. KatherineJoann - March 21st, 2008 at 3:32 am
Reading this list reminded me of my favorite books when I was 12: the Giver, the Crystal Drop, Invitation to the Game, and Z for Zachariah. This is probably still my favorite genre!
113. ghad10 - March 23rd, 2008 at 7:34 pm
No Philip K. Dick? Shame.
114. Teddy - March 24th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
We and we the living are mentioned. Missing, though, is one of the earliest, Butler’s Erewhon.
Mucho discussion, though, as to whether it’s a dystopia or not.
115. longball - March 25th, 2008 at 9:18 am
Armageddons Children and the Elves of Cintra (next in series) are amazing! and the way they tie everything together from running with the demon to straken! Amazing
116. corticalaxon - March 25th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Yeah, would vouch for V for Vendetta and Animal Farm, and I hear A Clockwork Orange is amazing (will read it next year).
I read the top three, and I’m not going to lie, I found 1984 the most captivating, just because the Ingsoc government close every conceivable loophole and weakness that could lessen their grip on power. It makes the reader feel quite hopeless, which increases its power and meaning tremendously.
And a correction: I believe 1984 would be an example of a far-left government - it was a socialistic society and government, not fascist. The only way it’s “right” is in the sense that both fascism and communism breed totalitarianism.
I personally think 1984, BNW, then 451 — 451 was nice but wasn’t as captivating or interesting as the other two, IMO.
117. James Hudnall - March 27th, 2008 at 9:41 am
1984 was a critique of Stalinism, not far right governments. In otherwords, far left governments.
118. Bella - April 1st, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Didn’t read the whole list of comments but I’m hoping Stephen King’s THE STAND is in there somewhere! I’ve been reading it every other year or so now for almost 20 years!
Don’t bother with the TV movie version as the book is SO much better!
119. bipolar2 - April 12th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
George W. has brought y’all a small-scale introduction to ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’. Faith-based government run by moral monsters wrapped in the flag. Wait for the next right-wing takeover — Just like the little kingdom opened to public view in Texas.
Fiction no longer — you’re livin’ it.
bipolar2
120. taylormade - April 21st, 2008 at 6:54 pm
1984 isn’t a particularly well written novel? I think most writers and college professors would disagree. It is frequently listed as one of the greatest novels of the 20th century. Orwell’s style is undeniable, he is one of the greatest writers of the last hundred years.
121. Bobbi - April 25th, 2008 at 9:14 am
great list! i’d add The Slynx, The Road and We.
122. Smoogy - May 9th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
How about Walter Miller’s A Canticle for Lebowitz ? That is a great post-apocalypse/distopian novel
123. walterstc - May 12th, 2008 at 9:15 am
Great list man, i like how you included long walk in the running man summary. One of my favorite stephen king books. This is a great list, you should do more book lists. Maybe a great history books list, or i would like a great drug books list, or great musical biogrpahy list.
124. Nerdlette - May 14th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Also by Margaret Atwood, Oryx and Crake. Such an excellent read.