human nature exposed
by Heather M. of HIgh Tech High International '14
Science fiction has the hefty task of creating both fictional people and worlds. By showing us how the collective actions of humans can create strikingly horrific dystopias, science fiction authors expose the fundamental aspects of human nature. As this rising generation of teens faces some of humanity’s toughest dilemmas, it’s no wonder that dystopian literature has made a comeback. The following three books each look at the direction of the human race, and more fundamentally, what what it means to be human.
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Unwind
by Neal Shusterman - 335 pages At first glance, Unwind by Neal Shusterman seems to be just another played-out YA dystopia: teenagers striving to achieve freedom in the face of a controlling society. But upon further digging, Unwind is a nuanced take on humanity’s flaws, shining with originality in an over-saturated genre. The premise of “unwinding”, or disassembling teenagers for their body parts if they’re no longer wanted by their parents to replace abortion, first strikes the reader as too horrific to be plausible. But as the story progresses it becomes frighteningly apparent how twisted human reasoning can be. Ultimately, Unwind isn’t about the plotline, although the characters are admirably well-developed. It’s a work of social commentary, cleverly told through a dystopian perspective. While fans of the Hunger Games and Divergent will likely enjoy this novel, so too will readers looking for a more complex tale of speculative fiction. |
Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood - 374 pages Margaret Atwood again delivers a provoking take on humanity’s future with Oryx and Crake. This time, Atwood examines the concepts of good and evil through a single narrator left as the sole survivor of humanity. Through a series of flashbacks the reader is shown how events leading to the apocalypse occurred. Be warned, Oryx and Crake throws the reader into its world head first. Through its unconventional timeline and considerably more sophisticated prose than found in Atwood’s previous novel The Handmaiden’s Tale, Oryx and Crake keeps the reader guessing until the very end. Hot button issues such as global warming and genetic engineering are addressed without the feeling of a pressed agenda. Instead, Atwood is careful to not pass judgement on humanity, forcing the reader to question the morality of events for themselves. Although tough to begin, this novel certainly warrants a thorough read. |
Hyperion Dan Simmons - 482 pages Although set in a nearly-unrecognizable future over a thousand years away, Hyperion by Dan Simmons is a classic pilgrimage tale. It follows seven people to shrine of the Shrike, a mysterious creature feared and worshiped as a bringer of death. The Shrike moves backwards in time, and is rumored to have been created by man in the distant future, to cause humanity’s destruction. Destruction itself is a theme throughout Hyperion, from the destruction of Old Earth nearly 400 years prior to the personal destruction that brings each pilgrim on the quest. As the story unfolds with each character telling their unique tale, the reader learns what motivates them. The style of writing Simmons uses is at times flowery at dense, best suited for advanced readers. But once entrenched in the story, the reader will find it intriguing while simultaneously timeless, and certainly worth a read through the whole hefty text through the surprise ending. |