chaos and the human experience
by Kotae H. of HIgh Tech High International '14
Although dystopian fiction is about the future, this is merely a tool to tell us about the present. By stepping into tomorrow, the authors can strip away distractions and present a clear warning about today.
Dystopian, young adult authors express their opinions on what is wrong with our world by by creating a world constructed in which this flaw is exaggerated. Authors know that readers like stories where characters struggle and in the end achieving the initial dream. Here are three books I found that gave good warnings while entertaining us with a fun, interesting plot. |
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Steelheart Brandon Sanderson - 416 pages Steelheart is a novel about a world ruled by “Epics.” Epics are people who gained a superpower during an event called the “Calamity,” during which some people were made into super beings. In a world ruled by these evil supermen, the story revolves around a boy named David whose father died from an Epic. Years later, he wants revenge on the Emperor of Newcago. Through trying to avenge his father David, the boy, slowly learns the truth behind the power, and thus the reader is reminded of the corrupting influence of power. |
Divergent Veronica Roth - 487 pages The book Divergent describes a future version of Chicago where there are five distinct factions. Dauntless are eager for bravery, Erudite have a love of knowledge, Abnegation focus on selfless, Amity search for peace and friendship, and Candor is about being frank and open about your opinion. This story follows a girl named Beatrice Prior who grew up in an Abnegation family, but chooses to join a different faction when she comes of age, and in the process learns that she is “Divergent” and excels at many traits. This leads to dangers and opportunities, and through her struggle the she learns to appreciate different parts of herself. The author is warning us that no individual can reach her full potential by focusing on just one trait, but rather a good individual is made of many pieces and can not be categorized as one kind of person. |
The Maze Runner James Dashner - 374 pages The Maze Runner describes a group of boys who live a place called the “Glade.” In this Glade, food, wood, medicine and everything that is needed to survive is supplied to them in a monthly bases. In this kind of place, Thomas wakes up in a elevator to find that to escape they must leave the “Glade” and enter the a maze filled with terror and death. This terror and death is justified by the maze creator, because it serves a greater good. Through the creators’ actions, the author warns us of the danger of the ends justifying the means. |