The YA Dystopian Book Club discussion

How would you define dystopia? I've had a lot of people ask me what dystopia means when I tell them that I write. I'd like to see how everyone else defines it.

I have so many coworkers ask me this immediately after they ask what book I'm reading! I usually define it as a dysfunctional uptopia - a society that is attempting perfection, but has become dysfunctional.

I feel like a dystopia is generally a society controlled by a strict set of laws that limit the freedom of movement, speech, and ideas among it citizens.

Basically there are 3 kinds of dystopia. (1) Is the fearful dictatorship kind of dystopia, of which "1984" is the classic example. (2) Is a sort of elite which keeps everybody so content with their lot that they don't notice how unfree they are. That's "Brave New World." (3) Is a sort of post-apocalypse wasteland where only a few people are left. There's no dictatorship, and not much of a political structure of any kind. The struggle is not to be free but to stay alive. People live in small bands, possible migrating to wherever they can find food and shelter.

Excellent answers! Thanks.

Jessica wrote: "I have so many coworkers ask me this immediately after they ask what book I'm reading! I usually define it as a dysfunctional uptopia - a society that is attempting perfection, but has become dysfunctional"

No disrespect to any other answer, but for me this one is perfect. It perfectly fits every dystopian book I've ever read. And if I'm ever asked this question, I am stealing this haha.

Aw thanks! Steal away! :)

Jessica and Tommy, that's exactly how I would define it too!