Goodreads Authors/Readers discussion

The dystopia is a dying art. Popularized by authors such as George Orwell (1984), Ray Bradbury (Fahrenheit 451), and Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. (Cat’s Cradle), dystopian literature sacrifices the popular feel-good storyline and happy ending for provocative commentary and an argument for social or political change. Works following the dystopian model make use of social outsiders, antiheroes, and intellectual misfits. The make examples of their characters. Good people die. The corrupt do their worst. The world as we know it comes to an end.

These days, however, people don’t want to read anything depressing. They want good news. They want happy endings. They want to escape.

And that is precisely the problem.

We all have our individual tastes in fiction, and that’s fine. Just the same, we must take a closer look at the social complacency current trends reflect. More specifically, we must ask if these trends reveal simply a population looking for mindless entertainment, or if they might instead be an indication of something much more nefarious and telling.

The 1984 Effect is the connection I see between social complacency and trends in literature, most notably, the virtual death of dystopia and similar genres. I argue that we as a society have been brainwashed into believing escapism is the key to a healthy, happy life, when with that we have sacrificed free, progressive thought and intellectual stimulation. Like the characters in Orwell’s 1984, society has been taught to go with the flow, do what it is told, and question issues just long enough to see the political backlash and fall back quickly into line. Operation Wall Street is the perfect example. Many of us want change, but lack the initiative, the tools, or the backbone to manifest it. Moreover, our minds are in the wrong place.

This is not the time for escapism, as tempting the bait may be. This is the time for assessment, reflection, and problem solving. This is the time to be reading the literature about the times. It is time we reject complacency and once again begin looking toward the future.

I challenge you, the modern reader, to embrace the dystopia and all that it stands for. Read for fun, but also read for progressivism and intellectual discourse. Consider the depth of the profound ending (rather than the happy one) and all it might do to effect the change we’re all so desperate for. Let’s make a difference in this world, you and I, one book at a time. After all, without taking a long, hard look at what needs to change, we will never make it happen.

Wow, Leigh, that's quite a speech! The 1984 Effect should be our goal in writing, change the world, yeah, one book at a time!

Love the feelings you express, and certainly our world stinks and needs some improving fast. But I'm not sure dystopian literature is the only way. I believe you can bring profound messages while still being light, and almost "escapist".

Just one example to make the point: look at Voltaire's Candide. There goes a profound book if ever there was one, a book that expressed everything about what was valuable in the 18th century Enlightment philosophy, and just possibly, a harbinger of change. Yet it's a fun book to read, full of humor and fast-paced AND with a happy ending!

Actually a lot of authors in the past excelled at mixing humor with depth of message. Another that readily comes to mind is Swift.

I'm sure others can think of contemporary books that bring profound messages and cause a change in society without being necessarily dark and dystopian. How about Bulgakov's "The Master and Margarita"?

The Master and Margarita

Thanks for your insights on the subject, Claude!

I don't disagree with the sentiment, but there is plenty of dystopian literature out there, especially in YA category. In fact, I find it a little disturbing just how much dystopian and apocalyptic writing is out there right now. I suppose it's a way for us as a society to work out our anxieties, if nothing else.

Also, I think too many people mistake dark endings for deep ones. A Clockwork Orange, for me, was an infinitely better book with the last chapter included than without.

The hallmark of a true dystopia, Masha, is a dark or uncertain ending--something that leaves the reader thinking about the world as we know it and what may become of it if we do not change our current ways.

Usually, but not always. See below...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dystopia

This is interesting, too (some spoilers)...

http://dc-mrg.english.ucsb.edu/Warner...

Well said Leigh, definitely well said. I think an addition to the latest dystopia is The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood (1990, but still more sort of recent than others).

I would love to see more dystopian fiction out on the shelves!

I have been thinking too about some of the things you mention here, particularly apathy and escapism. The fact that you say dystopic fiction is in decline is an interesting thing to relate to these ideas.

I think people are less enthusiastic to change things because they do not have and ideal to strive for. Society has no idea what it wants to be, and so it is hard for us to complain about what we have. What sort of things do we want to change and what do we want to change them into? Did the Occupy movement have a clue? Maybe dystopic novels are in decline because there are no ideas for "utopia."

Dystopic novels criticize and warn about the eventual result of certain behaviours, while utopias celebrate and promote the result of certain behaviours. If dystopia is a glimpse of the black, where is the glimpse of the white?

Great points, T.S.

I think there is a terrible shortage of utopia as well, likely because of the reasons you mention. Both are also very difficult genres to write without getting lost in cliche or stuck atop a soapbox. When done right, however, both can be quite profound.

My favorite utopia is actually a movie titled LOST HORIZON. By showing the ideal, the filmmakers were able to say just as much about our society as would a dystopia. It was very well done.

I don't think views of Utopia are popular right now as people feel guilty about it. Being environmentally friendly, ethical and maintaining a zero impact on your surrounding doesn't yet fit with what most people still think of as a Utopian world (although it should be something future technology can achieve).
Currently, living a life of freedom and luxury is linked to a lot of negative ideas.

I agree with you, Leigh, on the effect both genres have. Also, maybe people just don't want to confront their fears or hopes anymore? That could be why escapism is on the rise?

Paul, it is strange that you say freedom and luxury are negative. That seems the reverse idea of utopia (why wouldn't people pursue the greatest things in life?), and in progress in general. Just because our society is the wealthiest and most abundant doesn't mean we're guilty of anything. It is what it is. Isn't it?

I see the push these days towards being environmentally friendly, reducing consumption and leaving a smaller footprint on the world. A lot of people think that is the ideal, and the traditional views of a utopian future don't fit with that. I'm not saying that freedom and luxury are negative, but rather that the requirements to achieve those things are now viewed as negative. From what I see in the press and on television, it seems that restraint and responsibility are now deemed the ideals to aim for. Freedom to do whatever you want (eg drive around, fly to to exotic locations for holidays, buy the latest gadgets etc.) is not seen as being socially responsible anymore.

I guess you can say that the ideals have changed over time but what is viewed as a utopian future has not changed to match.

What the media is pushing on us as "the ideal" and what people actually aspire to are not the same thing. Be that as it may, I think this is a problem with "utopia." People have different concept of what it is. BUT most people agree on what they fear: loss of freedoms, war, poverty etc. Hence dystopian writings rather than utopian ones.

Exactly!

http://ellelapraim.com/what-is-dystop...

Funny, we were just talking about this and Ms. La Praim has written an article on the subject. She says that dystopia as a genre is on the rise, counter to this topics original post.

What do you guys think? We right, wrong, or mixed up somewhere in the middle? :)

I hope it is on the rise, although from my experience, not enough people in the younger generations even know what it is. I suppose time will tell (crossing my fingers).

I wouldn't think that with the popularity of the Hunger Games dystopian literature as dead quite yet. 1984 is still pretty popular and as someone mentioned above so is A Handmaid's Tale. I know one of my nephews had to read Anthem in a H.S. lit class and he was blown away by it...
As far as people wanting mindless entertainment, I don't disagree with that at all, but there are an awful lot of people who are part of the Occupy Movement who are very aware of current world conditions.

1984 inspired "Rabbletown: Life in These United Christian States of Holy America" is a dystopia set in 2084 in Topeka, KS. The religious right rules with a Bible in each fist and the computer in your hovel. Don't miss stoning Fridays at Fred Phelps plaza.

Yes, I think that while your plea was impassioned and well-written, your argument is inherently flawed because it is clear that the dystopia is far from being dead. If anything, it's enjoying a renaissance. Just look at 'The Hunger Games' (already mentioned), 'The Road', Margaret Atwood's 'Oryx & Crake' and 'The Year of the Flood', 'The Wind-up Girl', 'Children of Men', 'Never Let Me Go', 'Super Sad True Love Story', 'The Fat Years', 'V for Vendetta', 'Battle Royale', and tons more in teen/YA fiction. I'm sure I've forgotten a bunch of others, but the ones I did mention are all award-winning and/or bestselling books. And if that doesn't convince you, just look at this chart from our very own goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/blog/show/35... !

Oh yeah, and I didn't even get into the recent trend of zombie apocalypse novels (a genre unto itself now, it seems)...

Tim, the only title I've read of those you listed is V FOR VENDETTA ... how many of them would you say follow the classic dystopian model (i.e. do not have happy endings)?

I have to disagree that the dystopian genre is dying, as you said. As someone just mentioned, quite a lot of novels/series are emerging with the dystopian society theme. And the popularity of Hunger Games will just conjure more novels of the same genre. Divergent and Delirium trilogies are also gathering popularity as next installments are published.

I have to agree with you as far as the YA "dystopia" is concerned; there obviously is a rise in that type of literature--but most of it, from what I've read or heard, is not true dystopia, but rather a recreation of the model in a structure all its own (containing, for example, happily-ever-after or happy-for-now endings).

Again I must ask: how many of the books mentioned in this thread in support of the rise of dystopia follow the classic structure (i.e. 1984, CAT'S CRADLE, etc., in which the exaggerated social ills result in a grim but provocative ending)?

And if dystopia were so popular, why does Microsoft not recognize it (spell-check underlines it in red)?

"And if dystopia were so popular, why does Microsoft not recognize it (spell-check underlines it in red)?"

Because a world ruled by Microsoft IS a dystopia. ;)

As to your question about whether those books follow the original or 'classic' structure of dystopian fiction, I have to be honest and say I haven't actually read most of them, although I do hope to get around to at least a few. From what I've heard, at least 'The Road' is very bleak. The others may have a positive ending. However, I do believe that even 'Fahrenheit 451' contained a somewhat hopeful ending (or at least the possibility of hope for the future). Can't speak for 'Cat's Cradle' as I haven't read that one (please don't spoil it for me though), and I've only just started reading '1984' yesterday! Hope it isn't TOO depressing...

Oh I just remembered that I saw the film version of 'Never Let Me Go' and

(possible spoiler)



yep, it's not a happy one.

The endings for 1984 and CAT'S CRADLE are both pretty dark (but with purpose, of course). The ending for CAT'S CRADLE has haunted me for twenty years and has been the inspiration behind a couple of my own works. The book made me an instant Vonnegut fan.

If anyone here who has read my sci-fi allegory MYTHS OF GODS and noticed the similarity between its ending and the ending of CAT'S CRADLE--yes, CAT'S CRADLE definitely inspired it. It was also the inspiration for what happens to Kurt in WORLD-MART. I don't want to say anymore, just in case anyone here plans on reading them. ;-)

I've always found the title "1984" ironic. While the year wasn't like the book it was still a turning point and bad time in the world..

Justin wrote: "I've always found the title "1984" ironic. While the year wasn't like the book it was still a turning point and bad time in the world.."

That's an interesting observation, Justin!