A society that is described as a dystopia is one that has multiple social controls in place that were implemented by the government, military, or a strong authority figure. It is also one that is repressed, controlled, and restricted. It is frequently important to focus on issues of surveillance and intrusive technology, as well as to repeatedly emphasize the fact that this is not a place you’d want to dwell.
Dystopian fiction is well renowned for provoking readers’ most irrational fantasies. This genre has shown an upward tendency throughout time, which does not appear to be slowing down. These books have a great plot, different rules, and a hero who, in the end, saves the day. Dystopian fiction classics like “The Hunger Games” have paved the way for a plethora of contemporary works that are well worth reading. Now let’s talk.
Reasons to Love Dystopian Fiction
Strong and driven characters
In that kind of difficult setting, amazing potential frequently comes to light, and we enjoy reading about people’ growth. We appreciate witnessing their development and self-assurance. They offer us hope that we have a voice in the world we live in, which we believe is something we really need right now.
Action-packed
Dystopian fiction never becomes boring to read. Something is always happening. Even when the author is describing a location, we could feel as though the imagined world is actually existing within our heads.
It makes us think
The problems facing our own planet frequently serve as inspiration. Naturally, that’s a lie, but what if it did happen to us in real life one day? Do you think our society is in trouble? We desire to prevent such dreadful events from occurring after reading about them. We begin to feel as though we might be able to change things.
A vivid and well-described setting
The excellent world-building in that genre is what we particularly like. It’s as though we receive a glimpse of the future and are fully submerged in that fresh visionary realm. We have the impression that we are standing next to our favorite character.
Full of suspense
We’re constantly on edge. Although we don’t know what will happen next because of the writing, when we read that genre, we frequently experience a form of obsession where we can’t stop until we are certain that the characters will be okay.
Factors to Consider When Buying the Perfect Dystopian Book
Establish reality quickly
The author’s and reader’s imagination are not constrained in dystopian fiction, as was previously established. Since events always take place in the future, any technological or cultural development is possible. In contrast to other genres, this gives the artist more freedom and flexibility.
If you’ve ever read any of the best dystopian fiction stories, you’ll notice one thing in common with all of them: there are no restrictions or limitations on what the readers might think or visualize. However, it can also cause readers to feel perplexed. As a result, the author must swiftly establish the “world” in which the entire novel is set. The reader is obligated to keep reading once the ground rules and guidelines have been established.
Description of the “False Utopia”
Dystopia is essentially a “false paradise,” as the society depicted in the novel appears ideal but is actually deeply flawed. On the other hand, it could become a little perplexing for relatively new dystopian enthusiasts.
In fact, some of the best works of science fiction with a dystopian setting have fallen flat in the past simply because the false utopia was set forth too slowly by the author. The reason why the supposedly ideal society went bad is what readers are most curious to learn. What issues compelled the members to choose the corrupt path?
Having said that, well-written and well-balanced dystopian fiction stories usually start with the protagonist accepting their surroundings without question before asking later questions about the nature of the society. As a result, the reader adjusts to both the setting and the development of the protagonist’s personality.
‘The Event’
An ordinary dystopian book may become a classic as a result of the occurrence. Every dystopian novel contains an incident that justifies changing and abusing society’s norms and behaviors. As a result, there is a rebellion against the government.
These occurrences can include global pandemics, nuclear war, and population explosions. In a situation akin to “desperate times, desperate measures,” the event’s goal is to defend the actions committed by the afflicted. The reader quickly comes to the realization that different actions have the same results, and the protagonist’s best course of action was to bomb or murder someone.
For the reader, the narrative ultimately becomes a reality because dictators only take power during periods of extreme unrest or terror. Without worrying about who gets caught in the middle, the protagonist breaches all the norms and goes out to make things right.
The Totalitarian
The totalitarian also plays a significant function in good dystopian fiction books to explain how a society came formed, aside from the event that serves as the main plot point. Although most dystopian tales involve a dictator or authoritarian of some sort, there must be a driving force, and it need not always be one person.
Popular dystopian fiction books hide the true identity of the organization or person while making the rest of the world seem utopian; as the protagonist learns the real nature of the society they are living in, the true identity is revealed.
The Opposition
The story’s intensity is determined by the opposition. The reader is more inclined to continue reading if the protagonist intends to take the dictator or government on head-on. But it’s crucial that the protagonist’s actions are grounded in reality. For instance, the protagonist shouldn’t slaughter or nuke the universe if they are only a little bit irritated.
The Ending
A reader, who has invested days, if not weeks, reading, does not anticipate a weak conclusion or outcome. In the end, everything depends on how the protagonist’s choices turn out. Remember that not all works of dystopian fiction have happy endings. In fact, the protagonists of some of the most well-known dystopian fiction stories out there were killed off in the end, with the consequences following later.
However, expecting a country or state to undergo significant transformation in the span of a single book is implausible. In order to convey a message to the readers, some authors choose to leave the situation as “status quo.”
Conclusion
In the end, there aren’t many literary genres that can compete with dystopian literature in terms of individual freedom and worth. On the other side, these books also encourage readers to analyze their surroundings and take appropriate action rather than just accepting everything without question. There are times when a gripping dystopian novel will make readers wonder about the nature of society, the state, and humanity.