Nuclear fall-out, mass destruction, irreversible damage - if these happened, what type of world would we live in? There is only one, a dystopia. Dystopia in reality is terrifying. Living in a post-apocalyptic world? No thanks. To read about whilst curled comfortably underneath a blanket? Yes please.
The ability to immerse yourself into a new society, adventure, and concept is surreal and is why the dystopian genre continues to expand in popularity. It is filled with creativity pulling you into a world of future potential realities incorporating unique government strictures, dramatic change, different rules, and well.... I could go on. If you cannot tell, I adore the dystopian genre. You find new worlds within this section of literature and is one I will be reading about into my old age.
This is a genre worth exploring and is why in 2021, it is time to throw it back to already published dystopian novels that are delectable and waiting to be enjoyed this new year. Here are five novels to put on your radar and devour this year.
| The Hunger Games
The Hunger Games is one of the most infamous dystopian novels of all time so before you roll your eyes, it's inclusion is justified. The Hunger Games was a catalyst for the explosion of the dystopian genre starting in the late 2000's and is why they are worth reading in 2021. It is well written and the trilogy is wonderful.
It contains strong elements of world building, effective creation of new government structures, and describes a unique and brand new system that impacts the Earth's inhabitants. It is everything in you crave in a novel so why not read it for the first time in 2021 or tackle this old beauty again?
For those unfamiliar with the work, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins follows the young sixteen year-old, Katniss Everdeen, and her struggle to win the Hunger Games. The Hunger Games are an annual event in which one female and one male, under the age of 18, are picked from the 12 Districts to fight to death in an arena until a sole survivor remains.
The purpose of the annual games is to remind the Districts and Capitol, the constructors and most affluent area of Panem, how their violent and catastrophic history cannot be repeated. The Hunger Games Trilogy shows a reader what one person can mean and with it, what their actions can change.
This series is beautiful and one of my favourites of all-time. I myself will be rereading these in 2021 and think you should too.
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| The Testing
Compared to The Hunger Games, this is a slept on dystopian trilogy which you must read. I stumbled upon these in my early 20's and am ever grateful I did. If you had to choose only one new dystopian novel to read this year, let it be The Testing. The first installment and trilogy as a whole is filled with strong diction, twists and turns, and contains a plot written to captivate. The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau is a delectable read any time of the year.
The premise of The Testing is that higher education is a privilege. Only a handful are chosen to go through the rigorous testing process before being offered a seat at University. The testing assesses their knowledge, teamwork capacity, critical thinking skills, and more to determine if they are capable of becoming a future leader of the Commonwealth.
The story is narrated by the protagonist, Malencia Vale (Cia), and you follow her journey through the testing and her discovery of what passing really means to the Commonwealth. Like The Hunger Games, I am enamored by The Testing and highly encourage you to sink your teeth into it this year.
| The Road
Written by Cormac McCarthy, The Road follows a Man and his Son through a post-nuclear wasteland. The Road is a heartfelt story about what a Man will do to protect his Son from the horrors of nuclear fall-out.
This is not a novel for the faint of heart. It contains the true animalistic nature of humans and is not a read for children or even young teenagers. To this day I still think about excerpts from this novel because this is a raw story. And as the state of the climate continues to deteriorate, one that is beginning to seem like an eventuality and that is terrifying within itself. Read this in 2021 because it is painful and thought-provoking, it is a wonderful dystopian novel.
Be warned the writing style is unlike anything you have seen before and it itself, like many other elements in this novel, is analyzed and discussed over on what it means. The Road is filled with symbolism, powerful elements, and a unique take on dystopia making it ideal for book club and for anybody searching for something to analyize.
| Fahrenheit 451
Throwing it back all the way to 1953, Fahrenheit 451 has been classified as one of the first dystopian novels written and continues to hold its own in this genre. Despite its age, this novel is always worth a read.
In Fahrenheit 451, a new society has formed where people live in a bubble and entertainment is the main priority in life (sound familiar?). All books are burnt to eliminate individual thinking and to promote mass conformity.
Montag is a book burner and a content one at that. He is comfortable enforcing conformity until the day he meets Clarisse. Their fleeting interactions turns Montag's life upside as her willingness to question the world shifts his. This mental shift is explored throughout the novel and can be seen as a mirror of the current century.
Written over 60 years ago, time has only strengthened Fahrenheit 451's character and purpose. If you are new to the genre and are looking for a timeless and infamous novel to read in 2021, Fahrenheit 451 is for you.
| The Circle
Emma Watson starred in a 2017 movie adaption of The Circle and if you are yet to see it, don't. Stick to the book. Written by Dave Eggers, The Circle, follows the life of Mae Holland and her new job at the social media company - The Circle.
The Circle has begun to push the idea that privacy is a crime and everything, including individuals, should be monitored 24/7. Whilst Mae initially resists the idea, the longer she works for The Circle, the more she pushes away her old morales and starts to see reason with the way The Circle thinks, privacy is a crime.
The question is, does Mae continue to agree or does she help bring back privacy into an increasingly transparent world? The Circle is a light read and great to take on vacation.
These five novels are intriguing reads and perfect to read for the first time or reread again in 2021. If you are searching for a delectable dystopian this year, tackle these novels.
If you have any recommendations on what other dystopians, new or old, I and others should check out this year, let me know below. I am always searching for a delectable dystopian.
