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20 best books on dystopian future – 2023 reading list & recommendations

November 7, 2023 by Joahn

Are you ready to dive into the captivating world of dystopian future? Look no further! We’ve compiled a list of the 20 best books about dystopian future that will transport you to dark and thought-provoking realms. From classics to contemporary masterpieces, these novels will leave you questioning the boundaries of society and the resilience of the human spirit. So grab your favorite blanket, settle into your comfiest chair, and prepare to embark on a thrilling literary journey through these must-read dystopian future books.


Contents

  • 1 1984
  • 2 Brave New World
  • 3 The Handmaid’s Tale
  • 4 Fahrenheit 451
  • 5 The Hunger Games
  • 6 The Maze Runner
  • 7 Divergent
  • 8 The Giver
  • 9 Never Let Me Go
  • 10 Station Eleven
  • 11 The Road
  • 12 Oryx and Crake
  • 13 The Stand
  • 14 The Children of Men
  • 15 The Power
  • 16 The Fifth Sacred Thing
  • 17 The Circle
  • 18 The Bone Clocks
  • 19 The Windup Girl
  • 20 The Water Knife
  • 21 Conclusion

best books about dystopian future 1984

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1984

by George Orwell

1984 by George Orwell is a provocative book on a dystopian future that will leave you questioning the very foundations of society. Set in the year that gives the novel its title, 1984 paints a chilling portrait of a world ruled by a totalitarian regime known as the Party. In this nightmarish society, Big Brother is always watching, individuality is crushed, and the truth is manipulated to serve the Party’s agenda.

best books about dystopian future Brave New World

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Brave New World

by Aldous Huxley

Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World takes readers on a thrilling journey into a chilling and unsettling future. This captivating novel, often hailed as a masterpiece of dystopian literature, paints a vivid picture of a world where conformity and control reign supreme.

best books about dystopian future The Handmaid's Tale

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The Handmaid’s Tale

by Margaret Atwood

Prepare to be captivated by a chilling journey into a world where hope is scarce and freedom is a distant memory. Margaret Atwood’s masterpiece, The Handmaid’s Tale, takes readers on a harrowing adventure through a dystopian future.

In this thought-provoking book on dystopian future, we are introduced to Offred, a Handmaid in the Republic of Gilead. Stripped of her former identity, Offred’s sole purpose is to bear children for the ruling class. With a hauntingly powerful narrative, Atwood paints a stark picture of a society where women are reduced to mere vessels of reproduction.

Set in a not-so-distant future, this book about dystopian future explores themes of oppression, control, and the resilience of the human spirit. Atwood’s prose is both eloquent and evocative, drawing readers into a world where every choice is a matter of life and death.

Through Offred’s eyes, we witness the consequences of a society consumed by power and religious extremism. As she navigates the treacherous landscape of Gilead, we are confronted with the fragility of freedom and the lengths one must go to preserve their humanity.

Provocative, thought-provoking, and utterly mesmerizing, The Handmaid’s Tale is a dystopian future book that will leave you questioning the very fabric of society and the role we play in shaping its future. Prepare to be spellbound by Atwood’s masterful storytelling as she unveils a world that is hauntingly familiar yet terrifyingly different.

best books about dystopian future Fahrenheit 451

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Fahrenheit 451

by Ray Bradbury

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury is a mind-bending journey into a dystopian future where books are illegal and knowledge is forbidden. Set in a society that thrives on ignorance and conformity, the story follows Guy Montag, a fireman whose job is to burn books rather than put out fires. But when Montag unexpectedly starts questioning his own existence and the purpose of his oppressive society, he embarks on a thrilling quest for truth and individuality.

best books about dystopian future The Hunger Games

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The Hunger Games

by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is a thrilling dystopian future book that will leave you on the edge of your seat. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, the story takes place in the nation of Panem, where a ruthless government controls its citizens through an annual event known as the Hunger Games.

best books about dystopian future The Maze Runner

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The Maze Runner

by James Dashner

Welcome to the thrilling world of The Maze Runner by James Dashner! This mind-bending book on a dystopian future will leave you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

In this gripping book about a dystopian future, we follow the story of Thomas, a teenage boy who wakes up in a mysterious place called the Glade. Surrounded by towering walls, the Glade is inhabited by a group of boys who have no recollection of their past lives. The only thing they remember is their names.

As Thomas tries to adapt to his new environment, he quickly realizes that the Glade is not an ordinary place. Beyond the walls lies a treacherous maze inhabited by monstrous creatures known as Grievers. No one has ever survived a night in the maze, and the boys’ only hope of escape is to solve its riddles and find a way out.

With pulse-pounding action, heart-stopping suspense, and unexpected twists at every turn, this dystopian future book will keep you guessing until the very end. As Thomas and his fellow Gladers uncover the truth behind their captivity, they must confront their deepest fears and work together to survive.

If you’re a fan of dystopian fiction, The Maze Runner is a must-read. Dashner’s vivid storytelling and intricate world-building will transport you to a dystopian future like no other. Get ready for an adrenaline-pumping adventure that will leave you breathless and eager for more.

best books about dystopian future Divergent

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Divergent

by Veronica Roth

Divergent is an electrifying book on dystopian future that will leave you breathless from start to finish. Set in a world where society is divided into distinct factions based on personality traits, this dystopian future book follows the fearless and independent-minded Beatrice Prior. She must navigate a dangerous path when she discovers that she is Divergent – someone who doesn’t fit neatly into any one faction. As she uncovers the dark secrets of her society, Beatrice must make choices that will define her future and determine the fate of her world.

best books about dystopian future The Giver

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The Giver

by Lois Lowry

The Giver, a captivating book on a dystopian future, takes readers on a thought-provoking journey into a society that seems perfect on the surface but hides a dark secret beneath. In this dystopian future book, Lois Lowry introduces us to a seemingly utopian community where everything is controlled, from emotions to memories. The protagonist, Jonas, is chosen to become the Receiver of Memories, a role that allows him to experience the pain, joy, and complexity of life that his society has eradicated. As Jonas delves deeper into his training, he starts to question the cost of a world without true emotions and personal freedom. With its vivid storytelling and thought-provoking themes, The Giver is a must-read for anyone seeking a thrilling journey into a dystopian future.

best books about dystopian future Never Let Me Go

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Never Let Me Go

by Kazuo Ishiguro

Prepare to be captivated by Kazuo Ishiguro’s mesmerizing novel, Never Let Me Go. Set in a hauntingly beautiful and utterly believable dystopian future, this book takes readers on a journey like no other.

best books about dystopian future Station Eleven

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Station Eleven

by Emily St. John Mandel

Station Eleven: A Captivating Journey through a Ravaged World

Welcome to a world where civilization has crumbled, and chaos reigns. In Emily St. John Mandel’s mesmerizing Station Eleven, readers are transported to a dystopian future, where survival is a constant battle and hope flickers in the darkness.

This gripping novel takes us on a journey through time and space, weaving together multiple storylines that converge around a famous actor named Arthur Leander. When Arthur suddenly dies onstage during a performance of King Lear, his death becomes the catalyst for a chain of events that will forever alter the lives of those left behind.

As the world collapses around them, a group of individuals form the Traveling Symphony, a troupe of actors and musicians who travel from settlement to settlement, bringing art and beauty to the desolate landscape. Through their performances of Shakespearean plays, they strive to keep alive the remnants of a lost world.

Meanwhile, a mysterious prophet known as the Prophet rises to power, spreading fear and violence in his wake. Kirsten Raymonde, a member of the Traveling Symphony, embarks on a perilous journey to confront the Prophet and unravel the secrets of the past.

With its lyrical prose and intricate storytelling, Station Eleven paints a vivid picture of a post-apocalyptic world, where the boundaries between past and present blur and humanity clings to fragments of a forgotten civilization. It is a book that explores the power of art, the resilience of the human spirit, and the enduring connections that bind us together.

Get ready to be transported to a world like no other, where hope and despair coexist in equal measure. Station Eleven is a must-read for fans of dystopian fiction, offering a fresh and thought-provoking take on the genre. Prepare to be captivated from the very first page.

best books about dystopian future The Road

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The Road

by Cormac McCarthy

The Road by Cormac McCarthy is a riveting book about a dystopian future that will leave you breathless. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, this gripping novel takes you on a journey like no other. The story follows a father and his young son as they traverse a desolate and dangerous landscape, where survival is the only goal.

best books about dystopian future Oryx and Crake

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Oryx and Crake

by Margaret Atwood

Oryx and Crake, a captivating book on a dystopian future, takes readers on a thrilling journey through a world that is both fascinating and terrifying. Margaret Atwood, a masterful storyteller, weaves a tale that is equal parts haunting and thought-provoking.

best books about dystopian future The Stand

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The Stand

by Stephen King

The Stand, a captivating book on a dystopian future, is a masterpiece by Stephen King that plunges readers into a world where civilization has crumbled, and humanity is on the brink of extinction. This dystopian future book presents a chilling vision of a post-apocalyptic world, where a deadly pandemic known as Captain Trips has decimated the population, leaving only a scattered few to confront the horrors that await them.

best books about dystopian future The Children of Men

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The Children of Men

by P.D. James

The Children of Men by P.D. James is a captivating book on a dystopian future where hope is an endangered species. Set in a world plagued by infertility, this thought-provoking novel explores a society on the brink of collapse. With a masterful blend of suspense and social commentary, James paints a bleak portrait of a future devoid of new life. In this dystopian future book, she delves into themes of despair, power, and the resilience of the human spirit. Prepare to be engrossed in a story that will make you question the fragility of our own world.

best books about dystopian future The Power

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The Power

by Naomi Alderman

The Power is a riveting and thought-provoking novel that takes us on a thrilling journey into a world where gender roles are dramatically reversed. This groundbreaking book on a dystopian future, written by Naomi Alderman, explores the consequences of a sudden and mysterious power that empowers women and turns society upside down.

best books about dystopian future The Fifth Sacred Thing

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The Fifth Sacred Thing

by Starhawk

The Fifth Sacred Thing is a captivating book set in a world teetering on the edge of chaos, a world where the fragile balance of nature has been shattered, and society is plagued by oppression and inequality. This spellbinding novel paints a vivid picture of a dystopian future, where the earth is ravaged by pollution and resources are scarce.

In this gripping tale, Starhawk weaves together the stories of a diverse group of rebels, united by their shared commitment to justice and their belief in the power of love and spirituality. As they navigate the treacherous landscape of a city ruled by a tyrannical regime, they rely on their wits, courage, and the wisdom of the Fifth Sacred Thing.

The Fifth Sacred Thing is not just a dystopian future book; it is a thought-provoking exploration of the human spirit, resilience, and the deep connection between individuals and the natural world. With its vivid descriptions, rich characters, and powerful message, this novel will transport you to a world that feels both eerily familiar and strikingly different.

If you are a fan of dystopian fiction, this book is a must-read. Starhawk’s vivid storytelling and her ability to create a world that feels both chillingly realistic and hopeful will keep you hooked from beginning to end. So, dive into this mesmerizing tale and let The Fifth Sacred Thing transport you to a future that will make you question the present.

best books about dystopian future The Circle

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The Circle

by Dave Eggers

The Circle by Dave Eggers is a captivating book about a dystopian future where technology reigns supreme. Set in a world where surveillance and transparency are valued above all else, this novel takes readers on a thrilling journey into a society controlled by a powerful tech company called “The Circle.”

best books about dystopian future The Bone Clocks

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The Bone Clocks

by David Mitchell

The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell is an exhilarating rollercoaster of a novel that takes readers on a thrilling journey through a dystopian future. Set in a world where society is on the brink of collapse, Mitchell weaves together multiple storylines and characters to create a complex and gripping narrative.

best books about dystopian future The Windup Girl

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The Windup Girl

by Paolo Bacigalupi

Step into a world where the gears of progress have ground to a halt, where the air hangs heavy with the stench of decay, and where humanity’s very survival teeters on the brink. Welcome to the mesmerizing and haunting world of The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi, a book that plunges readers headfirst into a dystopian future.

best books about dystopian future The Water Knife

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The Water Knife

by Paolo Bacigalupi

The Water Knife by Paolo Bacigalupi is a thrilling and gripping book about a world on the brink of collapse. Set in a not-so-distant future, this dystopian masterpiece paints a vivid picture of a world where water is the most valuable resource and cities are battlegrounds.

Conclusion

In conclusion, these 20 best books about dystopian future are essential reads for anyone captivated by the possibilities of a dark and uncertain tomorrow. From classics like George Orwell’s 1984 to modern masterpieces like Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, each of these books offers a chilling glimpse into a world that could be. Whether you’re seeking thought-provoking social commentary or thrilling adventures in dystopia, these books will leave you questioning the present and contemplating the future. So dive into these pages, and let your imagination wander through the haunting landscapes of these captivating books about dystopian future.

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