Animal Farm – George Orwell
This list would not be complete without mentioning Animal Farm, published in 1945 by George Orwell. With the farm animals teaming up together against their human owner, this tale at first glance may seem humorous, but the overall sentiment is empowering. Whether it’s the struggle for workers’ rights, the fight for social justice, or the challenge of standing up to an authoritarian government, Orwell’s novel remains a powerful reminder of the importance of collective action. In the end, while Animal Farm may not provide a happily-ever-after resolution, it offers an enduring lesson about the complexities of power and the importance of fairness.
The Handmaid’s Tale – Margaret Atwood
Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale is often described as a dystopian warning, but its chilling power lies in its grounded reality. Atwood famously stated that every event in the book is based on something that has already happened somewhere, some time in the world. Yet, by entwining these historical realities into the essence of Gilead, Atwood not only critiques the past but also highlights how easily societies could regress into oppression in the future.
In The Handmaid’s Tale, women are reduced to mere vessels for reproduction; Their bodies are no longer their own, they belong to the state. This kind of reproductive control isn’t just stuff of dystopian fiction – it’s happening today, in various forms around the world. With the overturning of Roe v. Wade, a decision straight out of Gilead feels all too familiar.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings – Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is one of those special books that stays with you long after you’ve finished reading it. Growing up as a Black girl in the segregated South, Angelou faced issues of identity, gender, and social justice – topics that continue to be central in today’s world. These experiences are universally relatable, which is why the book continues to speak to readers across cultures and generations.
Frankenstein – Mary Shelley
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, written in 1818, may seem like a gothic novel of monsters and mad scientistic, but its concept resonates deeply with modern debates concerning technology and the consequences of unchecked scientific advancement. Today, as we stand on the precipice of advancement in artificial intelligence, genetic engineering, and biotechnology, Frankenstein serves as a menacing warning about the potential risks of innovation when pursued without consideration of its broader impact on society.
The Death of Grass – John Christopher
John Christopher’s The Death of Grass, first published in 1956, is a post-apocalyptic novel that explores the breakdown of society after a global pandemic wipes out all forms of grass and crops. Though it may seem like an old, sci-fi disaster book, its themes are eerily relevant to modern issues like government collapse, health crises, and the fragility of our global systems.
John Christopher’s ability to authentically show a brutal and unvarnished view of humanity is what makes this story so effective and sets it apart from other books of its type. Despite the heinous and despicable actions of previously “good” individuals, I never found myself having “that couldn’t happen” thoughts as I read. That is what I found most unnerving.