The Dystopian genre is just about my favourite genre, and within this category are some of the most iconic novels ever written. My own personal choice for this poll is so synonymous with the genre that you can barely mention one without the other. My choice of course, is Nineteen Eighty Four by George Orwell and as the results show, I was not alone in my selection of this masterpiece.
In this poll ignorance was not strength, as once again you proved your depth of knowledge, with almost 500 of you voting and naming well over 100 dystopian novels.
Well Big Brother has looked over your votes and here are the top 15 best dystopian novels of all time.
Nineteen Eighty Four β George Orwell (108 votes)
Nineteen Eighty Four (US)
Nineteen Eighty Four (UK)
Taking a whopping 20% of all the votes, is the all time classic Nineteen Eighty Four. Written shortly before his death, Orwellβs novel has remained with us inspiring countless sound bites.
Fahrenheit 451 β Ray Bradbury (37 votes)
Fahrenheit 451 (US)
Fahrenheit 451 (UK)
Taking the second place is a true dystopian novel for all us bibliophiles.
The Handmaidβs Tale β Margaret Atwood (32 votes)
The Handmaidβs Tale (US)
The Handmaidβs Tale (UK)
I only read this novel a few years ago when my daughter brought it home from her English literature class, and I absolutely loved it. I should mention that Oryx and Crake by Atwood also received three votes.
Brave New World β Aldous Huxley (27 votes)
Brave New World (US)
Brave New World (UK)
With 27 votes Brave New World comes in at number 4. Set in 632 AF (after Ford) this dark tale confronts many issues and taboos that ultimately got it banned in many countries and states.
Hunger Games Trilogy β Suzanne Collins (20 votes)
Hunger Games Trilogy (US)
Hunger Games Trilogy (UK)
Few will be surprised by the inclusion of this popular Y A series. Often criticised, it nevertheless comes highly recommended as a great series for young adults and big kids like me.
Thereβs the top 5, and you mentioned over 100 books in all. Hereβs the next 10, making up the top 15.
The Road β Cormac McCarthy (18 votes)
Divergent Series β Vernonica Roth (15 votes)
The Stand β Stephen King (11 votes)
The Giver Series β Lois Lowry (10 votes)
Atlas Shrugged β Ayn Rand (7 votes)
Children of Men β P.D James (6 votes)
Maze Runner Series β James Dashner (5 votes)
Wool/The Silo Series β Hugh Howey (4 votes)
WE β Yevgeny Zamyatin (4 votes)
The Uglies Series β Scott Westerfield (4 votes)
Thatβs a pretty good list and Iβve already added a few to my βmust readβ list, feel free to do the same or add your thoughts in the comments.
How could our good readers leave off Alas, Babylon?
Agree with Jason, Alas Babylon, and A Canticle for Leibowitz
Yes! A Canticle for Leibowitz. One of my favorites.
A Canticle for Leibowitz – yes: seconded! π
Any list of “top” whatever tends to be skewed toward recent entries. The Hunger Games but not Davy by Edgar Pangborn or Riddley Walker by Russell Hoban? Alas, Babylon and On The Beach belong there too, as does Earth Abides by George R. Stewart.
I love dystopian novels and it all started with reading Earth Abides 35 years ago. So happy you mentioned it!
Recent titles? The top four were classics, not recent at all.
I just happened to have finished Earth Abides and was blown away! This is an amazing book that was way before its time and made me think about it constantly for a week after I finished it. More people should discover it.
Alfred Bester’s “Demolished Man”.
*Is* that a dystopia? It’s more of an analysis of what happens if you add something to a society, more than a dystopia.
‘Anthem’ by Ayn Rand is my favorite. It is by far Rand’s shortest work, and in my opinion, her best.
I was going to say that. And for more dystopian than Atlas Shrugged. Not as preachy.
Great list. 1984 obviously happens to be my favourite dystopian publication. I was about to mention The R9ad but I guess that goes under Post-Apocalyptic. Still dystopian in a sense if you takeaway totalitarianism.
The Road*
‘Women on the Edge of Time’ by Marge Piercy.
I agree . One of the best
Great list. I would also include “Never Let me” go by Ishiguro. ‘Swastika Night” is a forgotten class by Katharine Burdekin that is said to have inspired Orwell. It was originally published by the Left Book Club in 1937.
Swastika Night has caught my eye! I just went to order a copy and it’s hideously expensive. I have made a note of it to look out for it in the future. Thank you!
Never Let Me Go, for sure! That’s a fantastic one. The movie was very well done, too.
Zamyatin’s “We” was also definitely an inspiration for Orwell.
Delirium trilogy by Lauren Oliver
i second that.
Pure by Julianna Baggot – significantly better than The Hunger Games books
Do androids dream of electric sheep?
Oh yes. I definitely agree with this one. And On the Beach too.
The MaddAddam trilogy by Margaret Atwood. Oryx and Crake (book 1) will always be one of my top three favorite books of all time. If you haven’t read it, it’s a must, especially if you like dystopian novels.
Maybe “Lord of the Flies” and “A Clockwork Orange”.
Clockwork Orange isn’t dystopian.
Clockwork Orange is classic dystopian………………………….
Should have The Blood of Eden series by Julie Kagawa on there
Where’s “Lord of the World” by Robert H. Benson? It’s the first dystopian novel of history.
Wut about vampire Academy and the spinoff aeries bloodlines
Great list. My favourite genre. I can’t decide whether to be smug that I have already read most of them or disappointed at the lack of new ideas!
i didn’t read this whole article. is that sheep dream book by that Dick gut on it?
^guy
Awesome list! I think the Legend trilogy my Marie Lu should definitely be on everyones reading lists. Easily one of the best Dystopian series ever! π
Yes trilogy series by Marie lu was my first thought!!
Legend*
The Thief of Always by Clive Barker <– My favorite book of all time.
The Infernal Devices Trilogy by Cassandra Clare <– Also pretty good for young adult reads.
Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents by Octavia Butler
Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World by Haruki Murakami should be on this list π
“Snow Crash” ! Stephenson
The Chrysalids by John Wyndham
Might I suggest The denizens of Night by James Peters. The story depicts what the world would look like if Republicans won on every issue. In a word: Dystopian.
Might I suggest The Denizens of Night. The story depicts what the world would look like if Republicans won on every issue. In a word: Dystopian.
Ira Levin “This Perfect Day”
Wait, seven people voted for Atlas Shrugged?
Fugue State by Brian Evenson should be in the list
“The Wanting Seed” by Anthony Burgess.
The passage trilogy. From Justin Cronin?
On the Beach for sure is a great one
What about “Animal Farm”?