It’s easy to point out exactly when dystopian novels became as popular, if not more so, than paranormal in the young adult section of the book store. The arrival of The Hunger Games changed the face of young adult novels and created a market for dystopian worlds.
Yes, there were books with dystopian themes prior to The Hunger Games. The Giver by Lois Lowry and Uglies by Scott Westerfeld are just two examples, but dystopian didn’t fully find its place in the world of young adult novels until The Hunger Games.
Dystopia is considered a society in a repressive and controlled state, often under the guise of being utopian (The Hunger Games). Dystopian societies feature different kinds of repressive social control systems; various forms of active and passive coercion (think Delirium by Lauren Oliver). Dystopian societies are often imagined as police states, with unlimited power over the citizens. There is typically some sort of world destruction that has happened to create a society in need. Why are these types of stories so appealing to young adults and adults alike?
The Guardian offers some insight into why dystopian:
They [main characters] cross the threshold into a world of darkness and danger, of allies and enemies, and begin a journey towards their own destiny that will change their world. They will be tested, often to the very edge of death. The stakes are high. The adults are the oppressors. The children are the liberators. It’s heady stuff, far removed from the routine of everyday life.
The outer, global journey of the characters is matched by an inner, emotional and psychological journey. These are no cartoon superheroes. They, like their teen readers, have to deal with recognisable concerns and problems, including friendship, family, betrayal, loss, love, death and sexual awakening.
The Guardian also offers up a plausible reason as to why adults are writing dystopian: quite simply it is the world we live in, just magnified. Adults worry about things differently than young adults. We are a world at war, with depleting resources, and a bad economy, all things that are reflected in a dystopian world.
With the popularity of The Hunger Games came an onslaught of dystopian novels which now reside next to the vampires, werewolves and magicians. If you’re thinking that dystopian has hit its peak and is in decline, think again. Several of the books released this year with dystopian themes are part of a series. Delirium, Wither, Enclave and Divergent are just a few we can expect sequels to next year. This doesn’t include books that haven’t been released yet like Marie Lu’s Legend.
In the end the question remains: What makes dystopian novels so appealing to the young adult market? Is it the strength of the protagonists, the ever present feeling of hope in a hopeless situation, or something so much simpler? What do you think about dystopian novels? Why do they appeal to you?
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