Dystopian Literature Through the Years
"The Maze Runner" is set to be released on September 19. It's about the survivors of the Apocalypse who are protected by a maze. The movie is based from a science fiction novel by James Dashner. Two sequels ("The Scorch Trials" and "The Death Cure") and a prequel ("The Kill Order") follow. These are the latest in the long line of Young-adult novels being adapted to the big screen. "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1", which is based from Suzanne Collins's final book of "The Hunger Games" trilogy, will be shown on November 21. Jennifer Lawrence reprises her role as Katniss Everdeen, reluctant hero and symbol of hope for the people of Panem. It's too early to do the rounds of promotion at this point, but the Acadeny Award-winning actress is in the headlines.
A new trend in Young-adult fiction emerged during the 1990s. It was a new sub-genre, or so it seemed, where teenagers became liberators of societies torn down by poverty and oppression. The demand on these books went up. (Veronica Roth's "Divergent" was a bestseller, which Summit Entertainment took notice. Three years after the novel's publication, the movie version was released. It was a commercial success.) This was also the latest trend in Dystopian literature.
Dystopian novels (or Utopian books) describe man's capabilities. Great civilizations come and go, but not human suffering. Authors reveal the causes. Many readers see it as good reading. Dystopian literature goes way back to the 18th century. We haven't the witness the end of the state, but authors warn us that it can happen sooner than we think. Let's look at some dystopian novels:
"Gulliver's Travels" (1726) by Jonathan Swift. Lemuel Gulliver's fantastic voyage is seen as a satire on British society - and Europe in general. Swift, an Anglo-Irish clergyman, guises his views on the cultural movements that change the political and structure structures of the continent. Sharp minds will pay close attention to Gulliver's final journey. He won't be the same person after meeting Yahoo, a four-legged creature. A research on the history of Europe during that period will tell what Swift is alarmed of.
"The Time Machine" (1895) by H.G. Wells. Only a handful of people are intellectuals and romantic. Herbert George Wells, historian and author of social commentaries, is one of them. He penned a novel with an ironic twist. Time Traveller invents a device that enables him to go to the distant future. He is horrified to witness the end of human civilization. Peril is everywhere. After making an escape and traveling back to his time, he decides to go back to the future. The narrator, who is unnamed, describes Time Traveller as a lonely scientist. What does this tell about Victorian society? Wells's message is subtle.
"Nineteen Eighty-Four" (1949) by George Orwell. The title was the year that Orwell wrote his masterpiece. It's a chilling depiction of totalitarianism unchecked. The Englishman have reasons, but he didn't foresee the turn of events during final years of the twentieth century. His message can't be ignored, though.
"Watchmen" (1986-1987) by Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons, and John Higgins. One must have a knowledge of American politics during the 1970s in able to appreciate this graphic novel. In an alternative time, Richard Nixon has the longest term in the White House (after Franklin Roosevelt). The Vietnam War gone longer, affecting America. Superheroes are forgotten until someone assasinates one of them. Readers won't give this some serious thought, but Moore, whose work included major comic superheroes likes Superman, created a fascinating tale. What if?
"Never Let Me Go" (2005) by Kazuo Ishiguro. Critics don't think that this novel is under Dystopian literature. But the setting is clear enough. A group of British children found out they're clones, and upon reaching maturity, they must donate their organs until their "completion". But their teachers try to give them a normal childhood. It's better than not having any cherished memory, they point out. The Japanese-born British novelist focuses on the lives of three kids, who will end up having a complicated relationship when they reach their teenage years. Try to read between the lines.
There are more books that will intrigue readers. Tell us your favorite title.
