I have noticed fellow bloggers participating in Top Ten Tuesday and some of the topics look fun. I fear, I would run out of steam before completing a list of ten items though.
Recently, I discovered Top 5 Tuesday, which sounds more manageable. It is hosted by Bionic Book Worm and this week’s topic is Dystopian.
It would be easy to do a list of five classics, but I have tried to mix it up. All the books below made a huge impression on me, one way or another.
1. Never Let me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
I still get goose bumps, just thinking of Never Let Me Go. It is so beautiful, sad and surprising. We follow a group of orphans growing up at a boarding school and slowly realising the heartbreaking faith that awaits them. Worryingly, some of the elements are not even that far-fetched. Ishiguro at his best.
2. The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham
The Day of the Triffids was my introduction to dystopian science fiction and I loved it. No monsters, no killer machines, no aliens. Just plants. On top of a gripping story, Wyndham adds a running commentary on humans and modern society. Mostly, it still seems relevant. I, for one, would not be surprised if the human species’ dominance on earth is ended by something we have created ourselves.
3. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
I read Fahrenheit 451 ages ago, but I still remember my horror. They were burning all the books! The dystopian world described is truly terrifying; a world where people are bombarded with mindless entertainment and discouraged from independent thought or proper human interaction instead of superficial interaction via interactive tech entertainment. Oh wait?!
4. Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
Ideally, it had been a couple of hundred pages shorter, but mostly I enjoyed Atlas Shrugged. The novel is basically a fictional statement of Rand’s philosophy ‘Objectivism’, so unsurprisingly the views are black and white (and rather extreme) and the style is preachy. With books like this, however, I take in the elements, I can use and ignore the rest. Admittedly, I was very young, when I read it, but the story, and in particular its characters, have stayed with me.
5. Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
Imagine a large drawing of the world before and after, with the apocalypse in the middle. Station Eleven throws bits and pieces of this drawing to the reader, one piece here, one piece there. We end up with a loose, impressionistic view of the drawing; of what it means to be human and how we interpret civilisation. The sketchy picture leaves plenty of room for the readers to use their imagination. The novel is neither driven by plot, nor characters. Although loosely connected, the characters are just a part of this bigger picture. Very unique.
This was my Top 5 Tuesday! I must admit, I haven’t read much modern dystopian literature. Do you have any suggestions to, what I have to read in this genre?
Dystopian isn’t really my genre but I have Dark Matter by Blake Crouch on my readlist anyway because it sounds like a novel that really makes you think and I love it when a book does that. I haven’t read any of the books you listed but at least know 3 of the titles. I didn’t know they made a movie adaptation of 451 Fahrenheit.. have you seen it? I’ll have to make a choice to watch the movie or read the book, but I think the first one could happen sooner than the latter :-). Thanks for putting these interesting books on my radar!
You are welcome! I wasn’t aware of the Fahrenheit movie, but the cover used in my post looks suspiciously like a shot from a movie. Just checked it out, the reviews are not great. The book is probably a wiser choice.
Dark Matter sounds interesting, I certainly like books that make me think. I will check it out and definitely look out for your review. I seem to remember you liked Vox, so you do enjoy some dystopia π
Haha – yes, Fahrenheit 451 is feeling disturbingly contemporary! I loved Triffids too, even more on a recent re-reading. That would count as literary genre fiction in my book! I wasn’t so taken with Station Eleven. I quite liked the “after” sections, but the “before” stuff all felt pointless given that we already knew most of them died. But I was definitely in the minority on that one. Haven’t read the others – I think Ishiguro is already on my wishlist, but I suspect I wouldn’t get along with Ayn Rand at all. Hmm.. have you read Cormac McCarthy’s The Road. It’s a strange one, but I still find it comes into my mind often…
Literary genre fiction… Yes, you are probably right.
I see what you mean about Station Eleven, there were a lot of flashbacks, perhaps too many. To me it helped to put the scene into perspective though. I thought it highlighted the contrast between what we see as important ‘before’ and ‘after’.
Judging from the impressive amount of 1-star ratings on Goodreads, I am in the minority in liking Atlas Shrugged. But I have always enjoyed to read about people with strong personal principles and goals, and that is what I got out of the story. I have even been told, I have similarities with one of the main characters (could be a compliment or quite the opposite…).
I will look into The Road, and of course you’ve already added To the Beach to my future reading.π
I loved Station Eleven it was my favourite audiobook last year. I’d also add The Feed by Nick Windo Clark
I also listened to Station Eleven, it works well on audio, doesn’t it.
Just checked out The Feed. It sounds scary, especially since the concept of the feed could actually become reality one day *shudders*. Thanks for the suggestion!
Never Let Me Go is fantastic! I’d recommend 1984 in this genre if you haven’t read it.
Yes, it is fantastic! I have actually read 1984, but I don’t remember it very well. Perhaps a reread would be in order π
I loved The Day of the Triffids and Never Let Me Go; I should really get around to trying the others on this list. Great post!
Thanks! I think you might like Station Eleven, it is a ‘quiet’ dystopian novel with limited drama. But it is well-written and somehow it keeps lingering in your thoughts afterwards (at least it did to me).
Iβve heard lots of good things about it, so I would like to give it a go eventually!
Welcome to Top 5 Tuesday!! And great list! Station Eleven made my list as well. Thanks for participating – added you to the list π
Thanks for hosting! I had fun writing this post!
Welcome to Top 5 Tuesday! And I would add The emblematic Hunger Games or Angelfall …
Thanks! I liked The Hunger Games, besides from the third book, which was so disappointing. Angelfall is new to me, I will check it out.
Great post! I really need to read Never Let Me Go π
I don’t think you will regret it, if you decide to read Never Let Me Go. It is an amazing story!
Good list! Never Let Me Go is also one of my favourites. I have not heard of Atlas Shrugged and will try to find more about it! Thanks!
I am probably in minority, when it comes to Atlas Shrugged. A lot of people seem to love to hate it. You can get a better picture, if you read some of the reviews on Goodreads. I stand by my choice though!
Fantastic list! I love Fahrenheit 451 and never let me go. Really want to read station eleven as well!
Thanks! I saw Never Let Me Go and Fahrenheit 451 on other Top 5 posts this week, but The Hunger Games seemed to be the popular dystopian choice.
I love your choices here! I am so sad to say I havenβt read any of these and I have had them on my TBR for a long time. Happy to know how much they mean to you!
I am glad you approve! I seem to remember, you don’t read too much in this genre. Never Let Me Go is not a typical dystopian story and the characters are central, rather than the plot. I highly recommend it! It will enhance your reading experience a lot, if you manage to avoid reviews and spoilers beforehand.
I always like a good dystopian. I only made it through a couple of chapters of Never Let me Go, though!!
Yes, a dystopian is good now and then! A shame you didn’t get far in Never Let Me Go, but I guess it is not for everyone.
I’m not a fan of the author’s style, too bad!
That is fair enough. He does have his own style, and I can see it wouldn’t appeal to everyone.
Btw. your comments always seem go into moderation when you comment on my blog and the same seems to be the case, when I comment on your blog. No idea why… I left comment on your Friday post.
I moderate all comments on my blog π It sometimes takes me a little time to reply, but don’t worry, I see them! I don’t know why mine appear in moderation on yours if you haven’t selected the option, though!
Ah, ok. So it is only my blog, which is behaving a bit strange. π