[dis-toh-pee-uh]
~noun
A sub-genre of science fiction depicting post-apocalyptic societies characterized by oppression, misery, squalor, disease, and / or overcrowding and often highlighting concerns about current societal trends. An imaginary place where everything is as bad as it can be.
When I told a friend that I write Dystopia, I got a blank stare. “What’s that?”
I gave her the above definition.
She said, “Why would anyone want to read that?”
I had to think about it. Why do I read Dystopia? How is it different from science fiction?
Hard science fiction can tend to focus on describing how things work, while Dystopia is more
about society. Don’t get me wrong - I love to take scientific theories and expand them, creating a future full of “what ifs;” eternal life, photosynthetic skin, solar powered cars. But even more, I love creating new cultures, new landscape, even new species within that landscape.
about society. Don’t get me wrong - I love to take scientific theories and expand them, creating a future full of “what ifs;” eternal life, photosynthetic skin, solar powered cars. But even more, I love creating new cultures, new landscape, even new species within that landscape.
Still, that’s not what drives me to write Dystopia. What is society without people?
Dystopic characters start out as ordinary people, oppressed by the world they live in. People like you and me facing enormous odds. Then they find an inner strength they didn’t know they had.
And they use it to change the world.
So I have my answer.
“When things can’t get any worse, heroes are born.”
What's the last book you read where the characters changed the entire world?
Tam Linsey
Science Fiction Author
© Tam Linsey, 2011. All rights reserved.
35 comments:
Tam, One of the things I love best about this blog is I'm able to learn so much about genres I don't know much about.
Last week I read Mae Pen's post on Steam Punk and this week I get to read your's on Dystopia.
Thanks for the definition.
In the books I read the characters may not change The World but they do change their world.
Thanks, Judith! I've enjoyed reading the posts here, as well. :)
Hi Tam,
I grew up reading sci fi and my favorite books were always those where, if not the whole world, at least one segment of society was completely out of whack. I think of Heinlein's late work and old, old stories like "Logan's Run." Recently, the BEST Dystopian (I always think of it as the opposite of Utopian)book I've read is a soon-to-be-published thing called "Botanicaust." :-) Thanks for a great post. Say 'hi' to Alaska for me!
My favorite theme in any form of fiction (books, movies, plays, whathaveyou) is courage and bravery in the name of friendship. Dystopian stories tend to play into these, which makes me happy. As for what book have I read where the characters changed the world, I'm realizing it has been too long and it's time to catch up on those stories!
Now I have a clear picture of dystopia. Kind of what I thought from the name. Sounds interesting. I'm not sure I've read books where the hero or heroine changed the world. They may have changed their world or the world of those around them but not the whole world. Interesting.
Love you, too, Liz!!! :)
Exactly, Pauline! Friendship and love are two of the best motivators for change out there. Thanks for stopping by!
Love me some Hunger Games, Tam. Nothing like kids killing each other to set the mood:)I love how dystopia pushes the envelope. Good times and great blog!
Boone
Tam, it's been about twenty years since I read a dystopian novel, but it certainly stuck in my mind! I can't remember the title, but I DO remember the characters and the story.
I'm glad these uplifting stories are gaining popularity. They give people hope and heroes to emulate. It's great to have you as one of our Genre-istas!
Paty, thanks for commenting. A character who changes themselves or their own world can still feel just as big as a character who changes the "whole" world. One of my recent favorite Dystopic novels is The Hunger Games - check it out if you want a good example!
Boone! LOL - I just referred Paty to The Hunger Games. Good to see you!
Sarah, I think Dystopias tend to stick with you because they often emulate and amplify a current condition in our society. They make you think.
And I'm glad to be a part of this group, too :)
While I am not yet convinced that I like Dystopia as a genre (I prefer following politics to get my daily dose of depression), I do like dystopic elements in my fiction. Seeing the "gritty underside", or the impact of unintended consequences, makes a story much more interesting to me.
Maybe it is just prurient voyeurism into the dark underside of humanity.
Hehe - true, Arcane. Thank you for stopping by.
From one of those people with a blank stare - Thank You! You have expanded folks knowledge of the English language as well as use of the same in writing.
Thanks for the great explanation of Dystopia -- I've never completely understood it until now! Perhaps because I haven't gotten on the Hunger Games train yet. But I'm with Liz, the soon-to-be-forthcoming Botanicaust is a perfect example of the genre. ;)
I read SF and particularly distopia because I love crawling out on the shore of some other place and watching how the people there deal with terrible things. Those authors taught me a lot of arcane trivia that may help when this world falls farther into the toilet than it already is. Gibson comes to mind and many more. Good post.
Andre Norton was one of my all time favorite writers, and she created some major dystopian fiction and amazing characters who had to live in those uber-brave new worlds. Daybreak 2250 A. D. is still one of my favorites. When people talk about why teens like dystopian these days I just smile, remembering that I liked the genre back in the days before it had it's own name.
I don't think that I've read a Dystopian novel. Now that I know what it's about, I'll have to try one. Regarding "changing the world," I enjoy listening to the lyrics of Michael Jackson. Many of his songs are about trying to change the world and make it better.
I've never heard of dystopia...of course I don't read SciFi/fantasy...just can't get into it. But, very interesting blog post. =)
Glad to help, Sandy!
Jenny, I'm happy to see you - maybe I can get you on that train someday :)
DeNise, I am so with you! I actually started "learning" from Little House on the Prairie - lol! How to butcher a hog, etc. But you are right, modern Dystopia gives lots of "survival" ideas.
B.A. - I cut my teeth on Andre Norton. I remember my dad bringing me home my first of her novels when I was down with the chicken pox at age 12. Funny how I remember the books better than the illness.
Vonnie - love it! Michael Jackson as Captain EO. Everyone has some dystopian tendencies.
Thanks, Terri. Now you won't be the one to give that blank stare when a friend tells you he/she writes Dystopia :)
Love your story and will love the series.. Just waiting patiently for the made for TV series :)That would sooooooooooo rock
I had to pipe in again as an Andre Norton fangirl!!! My memory for book titles stinks, so thanks to B.A. for giving me the title of the story I was trying to remember - Daybreak 2250 A.D. :)
I write dystopian fiction too. Not all the time but I've found a few of my recent stories fell into the dystopia category. I did a blog post about it as well during the A - Z blog challenge. They aren't for everyone but I really enjoy reading/watching characters who make a change in their society.
Well, Tam, the last book I read where the characters changed the world was "How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire". Roman, (vampire) has developed a synthetic blood that can be used for surgeries for humans and drunk by vampires, eleminating the need to kill humans. Of course, not all vampires want to drink it and there is a war etc. etc. Don't know if that qualifies, but he did change the world in this book. Enjoyed your description of Dystopia. Don't think I've ever read one.
Thanks, Maxine - I love my beta readers!
Cindy, I've been to your blog, but not as far back as the "D" entry! Very cool! And I didn't realize you were on an A-Z challenge - that's cool, too. Thanks for commenting!
Diana, paranormal dystopia - I love it! I could see that being a genre itself someday.
'BOTANACAUST' - the next big dystopian novel. Can't wait until it's published!
With a plot that draws the reader in and a wonderful cast of characters, pre-release reviews of 'Botanacaust' entice readers of all genre to give it a read.
Not being a fan of sci-fi myself, I was reluctant to consider spending my precious time reading a genre I thought I was not interested in.
However, 'Botanacaust' sounds like it has thought provoking human interest that will appeal to even Sci-Fi virgins such as myself and start a real 'buzz' among readers.
Thanks for this post, Tam, and clarifying the word 'Dystopia' for those of us not familiar with this genre.
I'm looking forward to this whole NEW WORLD!
Thanks, Mom. *sheepish grin* Thanks for stopping by to support me.
Hi Tam--great, and informative, post!
Thanks, Robin!
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