Dystopian Novels for Dystopian Times

Is life in 2020 thus far feeling unreal to anyone else? COVID-19 holds the world at a standstill. 95% of Americans under “shelter in place” orders mandated by their state or county, grocery stores left completely empty, citizens losing their jobs rapidly, and the market going up and down like a yoyo makes the world seem filled with a hazy fog. 2020 feels dystopian and almost fictitious. But here we are, with all this time to read. Why not read dystopian YA novels that may remind you of the situation at hand?

#1) The Giver: Lois Lowry

Amazon.com: The Giver (Giver Quartet, Book 1) eBook: Lowry, Lois ...

The Giver by Lois Lowry features a seemingly utopian society which is quickly revealed to be dystopian as the protagonist, Jonas, struggles to accept his fate. The society attempts to remove all pain and difference from the society to avoid conflict and sadness, but instead more harm is done than good. All real emotions, memories, and life is sucked from the society. Occupations are selected for children at age 12 by The Community. While some children get electrician, birth mother, and teacher, Jonas gets selected to be the new “Memory Keeper”. The “Memory Keeper”, guess what, keeps all the memories so that people do not have to “bear the burden” of them. Throughout the story, Jonas goes from an unsuspecting child of The Community to a young man who can trust no one.

#2) The Selection: Kiera Cass

Amazon.com: The Selection (8601400293799): Cass, Kiera: Books

In The Selection by Kiera Cass Prince Maxon needs a girl, his own princess if you will. 35 “random” young girls are chosen to compete in The Selection and for a future they cannot imagine. While most girls chosen to compete regard their Selection as a blessing, America Singer is less than thrilled, but rather, devastated. She already loves someone. She does not faun over Prince Maxon; she loves Aspen (who is below her the society…oops). As she competes, she realizes her future may be more important than her secret love closer to home. Prince Maxon and a bright future or Aspen and a life of true love?

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