“Better never means better for everyone. It always means worse for some.” 

— Fred (Season 1, Episode 5)

Granted this quote is from the TV show, but The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood is a great example of a totalitarian government with control issues. Set in a near-future totalitarian theocracy called Gilead, this novel explores a society where women are subjugated and reduced to roles as reproductive vessels. The government controls every aspect of women’s lives, from their clothing to their relationships, in the name of religious purity and order. Through the eyes of the protagonist, Offred, readers witness the loss of autonomy and the struggle for basic rights in a world where surveillance and control are pervasive.

Of course, since this is my favorite book genre, I can think of a few other novels that parade around in this wolf’s clothing, with oppressive regimes, control, resistance, and the impacts of societal structures on individuals.

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro is also in a dystopian world, this novel follows Kathy, Tommy, and Ruth, who grow up in a mysterious boarding school called Hailsham. As they navigate their relationships and identities, they discover a dark truth about their existence and the purpose society has assigned to them as organ donors. Themes of control, identity, and the ethics of science are prevalent throughout the story.

Vox by Christina Dalcher is a wicked dystopian world where women are limited to speaking only 100 words per day. This novel explores the consequences of silencing women’s voices. Dr. Jean McClellan, a former linguistics professor, finds herself in a society where women are relegated to traditional roles and dissent is punished. It’s a chilling exploration of control, freedom of speech, and resistance.

Dystopian fiction presents imagined societies characterized by oppressive, often nightmarish conditions, serving as cautionary tales about the potential consequences of unchecked power, social inequality, and loss of individual freedoms. Authors depicting governments wielding absolute control, citizens stripped of basic rights, and surveillance everywhere, are often mirroring current societal issues, warning of potential futures if certain paths are taken. The result is novels that prompt readers to reflect on the fragility of democracy, the dangers of conformity, and the importance of defending human rights and freedom in the face of authoritarian tendencies. In an ever-changing world, dystopian fiction remains relevant by challenging readers to question authority, resist complacency, and consider the implications of our actions on the fabric of society.