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Original poster

Dystopia novel recommendations

55 replies

ElvenElf · 26/11/2024 00:22

Hoping for some help with dystopian and/apocalyptic novel recommendations for my DD15.
She has read and enjoyed the following (which I think fit this):
Hunger Games
Handmaid's Tale
The Road
1984
Brave New World

There will be more I am sure but those are the ones I can recount off the top of my head.
Argh just noticed error in thread title!

OP posts:
Danikm151 · 26/11/2024 07:50

The girl who dared to think series

The gender game series

both by Bella Forrest.

brilliant books and the stories are connected

CRbear · 26/11/2024 07:59

BasiliskStare · 26/11/2024 02:33

@ElvenElf

On the Beach by Neville Shute

It is a bit chilling but would let a 15 year old read it any day of the week . It's well written . I'd really recommend this - apocalyptic more than dystopian in a 1984 way - but so good. It doesn't slap you in the face with anything but my goodness a fabulous read.

If DD does I hope she enjoys it.

@BasiliskStare - this is an incredibly well written book but it’s given me nightmares since! I was pregnant so could have been extra sensitive but I’d be hesitant to recommend to a teenager anyway 🙈

Eixample · 26/11/2024 08:19

Typescript of the Second Origin (adult book but assigned at school so suitable for teenagers)
Eva by Peter Dickinson (YA)
Z for Zachariah (YA, the book is not the same story as the recent film)

BasiliskStare · 26/11/2024 18:54

@CRBear - I wonder if it was hormones - DS watched the film with which follows the plot very closely - I ( personal opinion) I think it is OK for teenagers but I get other opinions are very valid.

When I was 6 months pregnant - I watched se7ev - O my goodness that was a mistake - not sure I could watch it now without the hormones but I did not sleep well that night. ( I know it is not dystopian or apocalyptic - just horrible. )

I do think OP said dystopian OR apocalyptic but - anyhow - I can understand why you didn't like it 💐

Nightvax · 26/11/2024 18:58

The chaos walking trilogy, my DD 15 read it last year and I’m reading it at the moment and enjoying it!

Echobelly · 26/11/2024 19:00

'We' by Yevgeny Zamyatin is very 1984-like, but was actually written before Orwell's book.

tarheelbaby · 26/11/2024 19:09

The Stand by Stephen King starts with a super-flu - if that doesn't chill your bones ...

Not a horror book like most of his canon (can a paperback best seller have a canon?) but full of food for thought, a little bit of mysticism and excellent characters and engaging, riveting writing.

mayhayway42 · 26/11/2024 19:12

I love dystopian books, but if you want a "lighthearted" one. Try after z by js Patrick

LadyCatNap · 26/11/2024 19:19

Lord of the Flies
Animal Farm

Bernadinetta · 26/11/2024 19:27

Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman

JazzyJelly · 26/11/2024 19:31

Echobelly · 26/11/2024 19:00

'We' by Yevgeny Zamyatin is very 1984-like, but was actually written before Orwell's book.

The misogyny in We is very 1984, though both were unintended I imagine!

Vox was good, if very simple.

EasternStandard · 26/11/2024 19:32

BasiliskStare · 26/11/2024 02:33

@ElvenElf

On the Beach by Neville Shute

It is a bit chilling but would let a 15 year old read it any day of the week . It's well written . I'd really recommend this - apocalyptic more than dystopian in a 1984 way - but so good. It doesn't slap you in the face with anything but my goodness a fabulous read.

If DD does I hope she enjoys it.

One of the best books

Pieceofpurplesky · 26/11/2024 19:32

The Grace Year. Absolutely amazing book.

The forest of hands and teeth series by Carrie Ryan

The Vega Jane books by David Baldacci

BasiliskStare · 26/11/2024 19:35

I would also say John Wyndham - Day of the Triffids or Midwich cuckoos very good

Janella · 26/11/2024 19:35

I who have never known men.

This leaves you with lots of questions!

potplantsinparadise · 26/11/2024 19:39

The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks (very good but also very very distressing in places)
Severance - Ling Ma (about a pandemic, but published in 2018)
Uglies - Scott Westerfield
The Power - Naomi Alderman (raises the question of, a dystopia for who?)
Farenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury
The Dispossessed - Ursula le Guin
Parable of the Sower - Octavia Butler
Prophet Song - Paul Lynch (again brilliant but genuinely distressing in parts)

bellocchild · 26/11/2024 19:43

Z for Zachariah by Robert C O'Brien

Supersimkin7 · 26/11/2024 19:43

Philip K Dick.

Obviously.

Iamblossom · 26/11/2024 20:03

hazeleyednerd · 26/11/2024 03:00

Adding to the suggestions - Wool, Shift and Dust by Hugh Howey.

Loved these.

Adding The Last one at The Party, really good

HelterSkelter224 · 26/11/2024 20:11

Maddadam Trilogy by Margaret Atwood (Oryx and Crake, year of the flood, maddaddam) - brilliant.

1Q84 Books 1, 2 and 3 by Haruki Murakami

HelterSkelter224 · 26/11/2024 20:13

Oh and Neuromancer by William Gibson

Robertplantgoddess · 26/11/2024 20:17

Julia by sandra newan. It's based on 1984 and the woman's (julia's) story that goes a bit deeper than Winstons. I loved it and 1984 is easily my favourite book.
Maggot moon by Sally gardener

Weatherwax · 26/11/2024 20:19

Flawed and Perfect by Cecelia Aherne were both good and despite being marketed at YA I loved them both.

Bigredcombine · 26/11/2024 20:19

Thirsty Animals is very good. It's set in the near future and imagines a time where the water has run out. It's set in the Scottish borders and Scotland has just closed its border to england (Scotland has more water than england). It was a gripping and quick read.

Fizzadora · 26/11/2024 20:21

You could read any thread on the feminism board in the last couple of years if you want dystopian.