Dystopian fiction is a branch of fiction that narrates tales of relentlessly running communities.
However, from oppressive government regimes to alternative realities of technological control, these tales serve as warnings to humanity. Moreover, with its highly shocking and dehumanizing imagined communities, dystopian novels not only make people aware of the prevalent social conditions but have sometimes inspired action. Hence, this widely read genre has always been popular.
And to make it easier for you to start your journey down the rabbit hole, here is a list of 10 top dystopian books to read.
Happy Reading! 🙂
#1. Blindness by José Saramago
About The Book:
Title: Blindness
Author: José Saramago
Genre: Post-apocalyptic
Publisher: Caminho
Goodreads Rating: 4.16/5
Plagued by merciless ‘white blindness,’ the authorities have kept the infected in an empty asylum. However, in this makeshift version of the outside world, the criminals soon start assaulting people, and anarchy follows. Moreover, the outside world perfectly reflects the world inside the asylum. The apparent disregard for rules and the ineffectiveness of the government – all add to the widespread panic that a contagion brings about.
Why do we Recommend This Book?
Firstly, a Noble Prize winner, this book can easily be read as a premonition to the Covid-19 epidemic. Secondly, in a harrowing tale, Saramago effectively shows the innate blindness that plagues humanity. Finally, from our arrogance to our extreme vulnerability, the book covers it all.
If you want to buy/gift, Blindness by Jose Saramago, click on the link below: 👇
#2. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
About The Book:
Title: Brave New World
Author: Aldous Huxley
Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopian Fiction
Publisher: Chatto & Windus
Goodreads Rating: 3.99/5
Set in a futuristic World State, the book follows genetically modified people inhabiting an intelligence-based social hierarchy. However, with exceptional scientific advancement, the higher beings in the book are all happy. Lastly, the protagonist, Bernard, challenges this hegemony, and the book follows this journey.
Why do we Recommend This Book?
While the book seems to be a utopic fiction, it makes the inherent flaws in the system alarmingly evident. However, omnipresent happiness is critiqued expertly in the book. Moreover, scientific hubris is also criticized. Finally, it is one of the top dystopian books to read.
If you want to buy/gift Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, click on the link below: 👇
#3. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
About The Book:
Title: Fahrenheit 451
Author: Ray Bradbury
Genre: Political Fiction, Science Fiction
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Goodreads Rating: 3.98/5
In an internationally acclaimed classic, the protagonist, Guy Montag, is a fireman whose job is to burn the most illegal of commodities, the printed book and the houses in which they are hidden. However, in a seemingly nonchalant world where no one questions their role or circumstances, Clarisse becomes the one who makes Guy introspect his role and, in turn, the world they live in. Finally, he soon turns to the same written word he was tasked to erase.
Why do we Recommend This Book?
Moreover, inspired by the Red Scare of the 1940s, this classic questions the role of censorship. However, what makes this book the classic that it is, is its timelessness. The power of the written word and subsequent policing is still a part of today’s environment. Lastly, it is one of the top dystopian books to read.
If you want to buy/gift Fahrenheit by Ray Bradbury, click on the link below: 👇
#4. Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
About The Book:
Title: Never Let Me Go
Author: Kazuo Ishiguro
Genre: Speculative Fiction, Science Fiction, Psychological Fiction
Publisher: Faber and Faber
Goodreads Rating: 3.84/5
Apparently, regular English boarding school, Hailsham, house Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy. Moreover, well-educated and encouraged to pursue art, the book is essentially a bildungsroman, following the journey of its characters. Lastly, something definitely seems off in this seemingly ordinary boarding school, irrespective of its idyllic setting.
Why do we Recommend This Book?
Never Let Me Go is many things at a time. Moreover, from a glaring indictment of the class system to a cautionary tale against human arrogance and scientific hubris, the story is a gripping mystery of humanity. However, coupled with Ishiguro’s beautifully painful writing, this book must be read by every lover of literature. Finally, it is undoubtedly one of the top dystopian books to read.
If you want to buy/gift, Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro, click on the link below: 👇
#5 Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell
About The Book:
Title: Nineteen Eighty-Four
Author: George Orwell
Genre: Political Fiction, Social Fiction
Publisher: Secker & Warburg
Goodreads Rating: 4.2/5
Futuristically set in 1984, the book discusses a world riddled with perpetual war, government surveillance, historical revisionism, and brainwashing. However, the book is set in a totalitarian state, Oceania, where the Thought Police persecute revolutionary beliefs and independent thinking. He ‘Big Brother is always watching here. Finally, the protagonist, Winston Smith, yearns for rebellion and reminisces about the days before Oceania’s rule.
Why do we Recommend This Book?
Firstly, a book that has become synonymous with the genre, Orwell’s genius writing is now used in popular discourse to highlight totalitarianism. Secondly, brilliant and haunting, the book perfectly elucidates oppressive regimes and mass surveillance. Lastly, it is one of the top dystopian books to read.
If you want to buy/gift, Nineteen Eighty-four by George Orwell, click on the link below: 👇
#6 Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
About The Book:
Title: Slaughterhouse-Five
Author: Kurt Vonnegut
Genre: Satire, War story, Metafiction, Dark comedy, Historical Fiction, Time Travel
Publisher: Delacorte
Goodreads Rating: 4.08/5
An anti-war novel, the book follows the life and experiences of Billy Pilgrim. However, from his time as an American soldier and chaplain’s assistant during World War II to the post-war years. Moreover, this is, coupled with Billy occasionally traveling through time experienced as a prisoner of war, which forms the crux of the story.
Why do we Recommend This Book?
However, even with a non-linear timeline and an unreliable narrator, the book still is one of the best-known proponents of the anti-war cry. Moreover, with profound moral clarity, the book is a must-read for anyone trying to reaffirm their faith in humanity.
If you want to buy/gift, Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut, click on the link below: 👇
#7 The Chrysalids by John Wyndham
About The Book:
Title: The Chrysalids
Author: John Wyndham
Genre: Science Fiction
Publisher: Michael Joseph
Goodreads Rating: 3.93/5
Set in a puritan post-apocalyptic world where there is no place for abnormalities and aberrations, there is no place for anyone different’. Moreover, everyone is ritualistically purged of their anomalies, and David and his friends retain their telepathic abilities. Finally, their journey of evasion is the story.
Why do we Recommend This Book?
Firstly, for fans of science fiction, this book is a must-read. Secondly, the book makes us question and analyze our society’s deep-seated unrealistic standards apart from its beautiful prose. Lastly, it is one of the top dystopian books to read.
If you want to buy/gift, The Chrysalids by John Wyndham, click on the link below: 👇
#8 The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
About The Book:
Title: The Handmaid’s Tale
Author: Margaret Atwood
Genre: Speculative Fiction, Dystopian novel, Tragedy
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Goodreads Rating: 4.12/5
Set in a futuristic dystopian society, The Handmaid’s Tale is a warning tale against the dangers of a totalitarian economic state. Moreover, legitimizing the rule of the Gilead by spouting religious dictums, this genuine society treats women as mere reproductive machines. The protagonist in the book is Offred, a handmaid whose sole role is to give children to the Commander and his wife. However, like a hundred others, she was one of the few fertile women reared to be reproductive agents alone. But, hey, they were divested of their identity. Lastly, the book follows this haunting and nerve-wracking world and serves as a cautionary tale.
Why do we Recommend This Book?
A chilling depiction of a world that could be, Margaret Atwood’s work shakes one to their core. Moreover, although dramatized, women’s terrible conditions and subsequent tragedies are similar to the prevalent conditions. However, powerfully written and a cult favorite, this book is a must-read for the fans of dystopic fiction.
If you want to buy/gift, The Handmaid’s Tale by Margret Atwood, click on the link below: 👇
#9 The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick
About The Book:
Title: The Man in the High Castle
Author: Philip K. Dick
Genre: Alternative history, Science Fiction, Philosophical Fiction
Publisher: Putnam
Goodreads Rating: 3.61/5
A shining example of alternative history, the book is set in a world where the Axis Powers won the Second World War. Moreover, set in 1962, the book is situated in San Francisco. However, slavery is not a thing of the past, and the very few Jews who are alive, live a life relegated to the margins – hidden in the shadows. Lastly, the book follows this alternative reality and its harrowing depiction of what might have been.
Why do we Recommend This Book?
Moreover, one of the finest works of dystopian fiction, the book depicts the horrific details of an alternative world in its most authentic essence. However, a warning against fundamentalism and even a third possible world war, everyone must read this book to understand the horrific nature of hatred. Finally, it is one of the top dystopian books to read.
If you want to buy/gift, The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick, click on the link below: 👇
#10 We by Yevgeny Zamyatin
About The Book:
Title: We
Author: Yevgeny Zamyatin
Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopian Fiction, Hard science Fiction
Publisher: E.P. Dutton
Goodreads Rating: 3.9/5
The book that influenced the dystopian genre, We, is about a futuristic world of harmony and conformity under the rubric of a united totalitarian state. The protagonist of the story is D-503, a spacecraft e engineer. However, devoid of individuality, this machine-like world is run strictly on l logic and numbers. Moreover, every person is identified by their numbers too.
Why do we Recommend This Book?
Moreover, rich with allegorical references, the book has often been lauded as the forebearer of dystopian fiction. However, this book has heavily influenced 1984 and Brave New World.
Dystopian fiction, although disillusioning, is one of the most important genres of literature. Moreover, it makes one aware of the social inequalities in our society. It makes us acutely aware of the rampant unfairness around us. However, to be better people, we must introspect and realize the gaps in our understanding.
If you want to buy/gift, We by Yevgeny Zamyatin, click on the link below: 👇
Happy Reading!
| 1. | Blindness by José Saramago | Buy This Book |
| 2. | Brave New World by Aldous Huxley | Buy This Book |
| 3. | Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury | Buy This Book |
| 4. | Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro | Buy This Book |
| 5. | Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell | Buy This Book |
| 6. | Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut | Buy This Book |
| 7. | The Chrysalids by John Wyndham | Buy This Book |
| 8. | The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood | Buy This Book |
| 9. | The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick | Buy This Book |
| 10. | We by Yevgeny Zamyatin | Buy This Book |
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