some of the assignments in the giver

Assignments

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Assignments are the occupations of the inhabitants of the Community . Assignments are designated when a member of the Community goes through their respective Ceremony of Twelve .

All Assignments can be found here .

• 1.1 The Giver

History [ ]

The giver [ ].

Claire is given the Assignment of Birthmother at the Ceremony of Twelve.

Coming soon...

• Assignments are made by the Elders may be appealed by contacting them, who form a committee to discuss it. Committees typically take a large amount of time to decide so an appeal is considered to be impractical.

Themes and Analysis

By lois lowry.

'The Giver' is, at times, a dark and disturbing novel, touching on themes of loss and control.

Article written by Emma Baldwin

B.A. in English, B.F.A. in Fine Art, and B.A. in Art Histories from East Carolina University.

At the same time, it’s also a novel of hope , depicted through the beauty of colors seen for the first time and joys never before experienced. It’s a novel that ends with an image that alludes to the enduring nature of the human spirit and future possibilities.

The Giver Themes 

Memory .

It’s through memory in The Giver that the community leaders exert control over everyone else. Collective memory is a thing of the past. Wars, loves, hate, joy, and any remnant of the time before the community is lost. Lowry was interested in using this novel to explore what happens when all memories disappear. Does a happier community emerge when the dark parts of human history are lost?

Despite the community’s desire to leave their past behind, the elders also understood the age-old proverb that those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it. This meant that someone had to remember. The Giver plays the role, and Jonas was meant to take it up after him. He’s there to make sure that no one starts down a dangerous path that might lead to consequences known only to him. 

Free Will/Control 

Jonas’s community is nothing without control. The community leaders exert control by making everyone believe that total obedience is the only way to live. The rules are their lives, and there is no choice but to follow them. There are rules for every part of life, ensuring that free will is surprised and the individual. 

The Individual 

This final theme is tied directly to the other most prominent themes in the novel. There are moments in Lois Lowry’s novel where Jonas notes the individuality of his friends, family members, and most importantly himself. Jonas feels different than his friends do, and he knows he sees the world differently as well. This is something that proves to be correct when at the Ceremony of the Twelve, he’s singled out to be the new Receiver of Memory. It’s the first time in his life, and in the lives of the other children, that they’ve had their differences highlighted. Some are more suited for one job or another.

Jonas only becomes more of an individual, something the community doesn’t encourage, as the novel progresses. He’s given memories, something unique in his world.  One of the more powerful moments of the novel comes at the end when Jonas realizes that he’s making memories of his own, ones that belong only to him. 

Analysis of Key Moments in The Giver 

• Jonas sees an airplane, learning that there’s life outside the community. 
• His father brings Gabriel home. 
• Jonas feels the “stirrings.”  
• Jonas goes to the Ceremony of the Twelve and becomes the next Receiver of Memory. 
• Jonas meets the Giver and learns about good and bad experiences.  
• He gives Gabriel memories to calm him down. 
• Jonas starts to see colors. 
• He learns about the Giver’s daughter, the previous receiver of memory, and her release. 
• Jonas learns what “releasing” means . 
• The Giver and Jonas make a plan for him to escape the community. 
• Jonas runs away with Gabriel. 
• Jonas and Gabriel sled down the hill towards Elsewhere. 

Style, Literary Devices, and Tone in The Giver 

Lowry’s narrative style in The Giver is straightforward and clear. It comes across as a simple recitation of events, almost journalistic. The plot progresses from the beginning to the end of the story with very few exceptions. Lowry uses clear language that’s easy to understand throughout the book, solidifying her choice to direct this novel towards young adults. Additionally, the simple language helps describe the simple lives of Jonas, his family, and his friends. Everyone lives preplanned, organized lives, similar to how Lowry’s writing depicts them. This is also how one might describe the tone. It is direct in most parts of the novel and, as it progresses, becomes more emotional and distressed as Jonas learns more about his community. 

It’s not until the Giver comes into the narrative and starts relaying memories to Jonas that the style changes at all. The memories are moving, mysterious, and strange. This changes the way that Lowry writes and the images she creates. In these passages, and in all those in which Jonas is thinking about his world, Lowry uses rhetorical questions. These are questions to which the speaker does not expect an answer. Jonas is filled with them regarding every element of his life. 

Lowry makes use of several other literary devices in The Giver as well. These include euphemisms or phrases that stand-in for something uncomfortable or difficult. For example, “release” is used instead of kill. This is a great example of how the language Lowry selected for the community reveals something about them as much as it tries to hide the truth. When the families gather together to share their feelings, they’re doing the exact opposite. Lowry employs a cliff hanger at the end of the book when she chooses not to reveal what happens to Jonas and Gabe. 

Symbols in The Giver

The apple .

The apple is a symbol for all that’s missing in the community. Its red color, something that’s lost to everyone in the community except Jonas, represents freedom, human nature, and emotions. The red of the apple also appears in other parts of his life. It comes to represent desire when he sees it in Fiona’s hair, and then later. It features in the rainbow that the Giver shares with him. It reemphasizes the entire range of human experiences and emotions that Jonas, his friends, and family members are missing out on.

Gabriel 

Gabriel is different as Jonas is different . This is something that Jonas recognizes right away. He has pale eyes (later revealed to be blue, like Jonas’s), and Jonas can tell he’s far more thoughtful. The child represents innocence and acts as a powerful contrast to the emotionless community that chooses to kill him. For Jonas, Gabriel also represents hope. Hope for a better life, one filled with love, and one where a child can grow up without the threat of being “released.” 

Sled Ride 

The sled rid is the first memory that Jonas receives from the Giver. It’s one of pure joy, untouched by anything unpleasant. It’s a wonderful experience that does not prepare him for the terrible memories to follow. After receiving the memory, Jonas dreams about the sled ride and the unknown destination at the hill’s bottom. There’s something in the distance that he’s riding towards, but he doesn’t know what it is. It symbolizes his future and the new life that waits for him when he escapes the community at the end of the novel. 

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About Emma Baldwin

Emma Baldwin, a graduate of East Carolina University, has a deep-rooted passion for literature. She serves as a key contributor to the Book Analysis team with years of experience.

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More From Forbes

The 30 greatest dystopian books of all time.

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Actor Lorne Greene in a production of "1984," from the book by George Orwell, on the CBS anthology ... [+] series Studio One, circa 1953.

For decades, writers have conjured nightmare worlds to terrify generations of readers. While the dystopian genre may have had a huge peak in the early 2010s, with dozens of additions to the dystopia canon, dystopian books have existed for almost two hundred years.

This list of best dystopian books will define what the dystopian genre consists of and guide readers across the landscape of dystopian novels, from books featuring seemingly perfect societies in the near future, to advanced civilizations paralyzed by inequality. These books are dark, thought-provoking tales that challenge the reader by invoking systemic problems and flinging them into stark relief.

What Is Dystopian Fiction?

Dystopian novels take place in societies that have been restructured and are heavily controlled, be it by governmental agencies, monarchs, shadow cabinets, corporations or (depending on the sub-genre) supernatural/paranormal entities or deities. The key difference between utopian and dystopian fiction is whether the key conflict driving the story is about rebellion or highlighting societal issues plaguing the protagonists.

While there is some crossover between dystopian novels and fantasy novels, fantasy novels focus on a quest, magic or the inner-workings of the world’s monarchy, as opposed to the overthrowing of an overt oppressive regime.

There is often crossover between the sci-fi and dystopia genres. Many dystopian books take place in the future, thereby focusing on Artificial Intelligence, interstellar travel or speculative scientific mechanics, but again, with a dystopia, the focus will be on the effects of the overarching ruling force vs explanations of the science that brought society to that point.

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The line is quite blurry between dystopian novels and post-apocalyptic novels. The main point of distinction will be that post-apocalyptic novels will focus on the immediate aftermath of the end of the world: people walking desolate roads, seeking sustenance, shelter or other survivors. dystopian novels will often take place hundreds of years “after the end,” as it were, allowing whichever force the protagonists are fighting against to rise and take control of society.

Top Dystopian Novels

Thanks to the dystopian boom of the 2010s, many people are familiar with series like The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and the Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld. Other popular dystopian novels include timeless classics , such as Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury or Brave New World by Aldous Oxley. These rankings are based on the impact they had on culture as a whole, as well as the vividness of the dark society created in each of the novels.

30. Prophet Song by Paul Lynch (2023)

The 2023 Booker Prize winner, Prophet Song tells the story of Eilish Stack, a single mother of four fighting for her family’s future amidst the rise of an Irish Nationalist political party. Gripping and terrifying, this novel is set in the very near future, immersing readers in depictions of international conflict set on a familiar stage. This book is recommended for lovers of history, lovers of beautiful writing, and readers who engage with political news daily. Paul Lynch’s Prophet Song was Ireland’s best-selling book of 2023 and can be bought from independent publisher OneWorld.

29. The Selection by Kiera Cass (2012)

The Bachelor meets the end of the world, The Selection takes place in a highly divided America after World War III. In this society, the only way to escape the rigid caste system is to marry someone in a caste above one’s own, and to ensure genetic diversity, heirs to the throne have potential spouses participate in a televised “Selection” to compete for their love. Romantic and breezy, readers will lose themselves in the descriptions of the glamorous competition alongside depictions of the blighted United States and active rebellions. This book is perfect for young adult readers , readers of romance who want political commentary alongside their love stories, or readers who want to dive into an unfamiliar world informed by romantic norms carried over from our own. Kiera Cass’s The Selection spawned four sequels and can be bought from publisher HarperCollins .

28. The Women Could Fly by Megan Giddings (2022)

A dark tale of inheritance and magic, The Women Could Fly tells the tale of a society where women must be married by the age of 30 and witches are burned at the stake by a patriarchal government. The protagonist, Jo, must decide on whether she wants to marry or solve the mystery of her mother’s disappearance before the government begins tracking her. Mysterious and atmospheric, this book is perfect for fans of magical television shows, mystery novels , and books with explicit social commentary. Megan Giddings ’ The Women Could Fly can be bought from publisher HarperCollins .

Joey King will star in the forthcoming "Uglies" adaptation for Netflix.

27. Uglies by Scott Westerfeld (2005)

A book that introduced the dystopian genre to an entire generation, Uglies is another young adult book about a rigidly divided society. In this series, people eagerly await their sixteenth birthdays in order to receive life-altering plastic surgery, transforming them from Uglies, who have very few rights, to Pretties, who live in different cities and do not have to work. Tally, the protagonist, is tasked with finding her friend or risk never being given her surgery. Tackling inequality, beauty politics and shining a light on how oppression can be insidious, Uglies spawned three sequels and is being adapted into a 2025 movie for Netflix. Scottt Westerfeld’s Uglies can be bought from publisher Simon & Schuster .

26. Followers by Megan Angelo (2020)

Told via dual timelines, Followers follows a struggling writer named Orla who befriends an influencer. In the future, people live-stream every minute of their days to their followers and live on the largesse of corporations. Marlow, an influencer hooked up to cameras 24/7, begins to wonder if there is more to life than performing for her fans. How are the two stories connected? How did society get addicted to constant entertainment? A fascinating look at the social media era, this book is perfect for people who worry about screen-time, and readers interested in the attention economy. Megan Angelo’s Followers can be bought from publisher HarperCollins .

25. Wool by Hugh Howey (2011)

A combination of the dystopian and post-apocalyptic genres, Wool is a collection of novellas about societies living underground after nuclear war annihilates the atmosphere. Living in individualized “silos” that reach hundreds of miles under the Earth, society is controlled by the Judicial branch of government and rules are enforced by militarized police forces. The series follows a succession of sheriffs seeking to investigate the truth of the silos, as nothing from “before” has survived the war or the creation of the silos. Hailed as modern classics, the novellas were adapted into a series for Apple TV+ in 2023. This series is perfect for fans of dystopias with large amounts of mythology. Hugh Howey’s Wool was a self-published phenomenon and can be bought wherever eBooks are sold.

Rebecca Ferguson stars in "Silo," the adaptation of the "Wool" novellas for Apple TV+.

24. American War by Omar El Akkad (2017)

A political and audacious novel, American War depicts the second Civil War in a America destroyed by climate change and deadly pandemics. Told through historical documents following the life of a climate activist, readers are transported across an unrecognizable country teeming with victims of a nation that has turned on itself. This book is for readers who love history and seeing the ways nations can repeat mistakes, and people who are deeply passionate about climate change and civil rights. Omar El Akkad’s American War can be bought from publisher Penguin Random House .

23. The Memory Police by Yōko Ogawa, translated by Stephen Snyder (1994)

A BookTok favorite, The Memory Police takes place in a society where objects and people randomly vanish as if they never existed. An unlucky few are able to recall the missing, but The Memory Police ensure that the populace live in fear of revealing they know something is awry. Thought-provoking, sad and imbued with the weight of trauma, this book is perfect for readers who seek to lose themselves in stories, lovers of literary fiction and fans of emotional, heavy writing. Yōko Ogawa’s The Memory Police can be purchased from publisher Penguin Random House .

22. The Time Machine by H.G. Wells (1895)

A classic that introduced the concept of a time machine to the general public, The Time Machine features a time-travelling Victorian who encounters the end of humanity. Travelling to a future utopian paradise where humans have evolved into a separate species known as the Eloi, the traveler is surprised to learn humanity has transformed into a society of weak, soft decadents who subsist on fruit and are intellectually challenged. The truth is revealed when the traveler discovers that systemic inequality has divided humanity into the Eloi and Morlocks, monsters who live underground and consume the Eloi. The Time Machine shone a light on classism in England and served as a warning for the masses about the effects of harsh caste systems. The Time Machine can be published from publisher Simon & Schuster .

21. Speak by Louisa Hall (2015)

A novel spanning centuries, Speak focuses on the difficulty of making oneself understood and themes of communication and alienation. Beginning in the 1600s with the story of a Puritan woman being married off to an older man and ending with the rise of AI in the 2040s, this novel transports readers and illuminates the horrors of the dystopian future in the book using twists and turns alongside beautiful, haunting writing. This book is for readers who love multiple points of view, literary fiction, Alan Turing, complex stories and language, and those who have conflicted feelings about robotic life forms. Louisa Hall’s Speak can be bought from publisher Ecco Books, a division of HarperCollins .

20. Exit West by Mohsin Hamid (2017)

A novel that marries the dystopian and Magical Realism genres, Exit West explores the lengths people will go through to escape political turmoil. The narrative unfurls as a couple meets and marries in the Middle East, and as their country descends into chaos, learn of a magical door that can transport them to a new territory—for a price. The couple discover the true cost of freedom as the new world becomes victim to many of the issues they thought they had escaped from in this moving political allegory. This book is recommended for readers of complex political thrillers, lovers of magical realism and slow burning dystopias. Mohsin Hamid’s Exit West can be bought from publisher Riverhead Books, a division of Penguin Random House .

19. The Candy House by Jennifer Egan (2022)

Beginning in 2010 with the invention of technology that allows people to upload their memories into the cloud, The Candy House traverses the globe through a series of vignettes exploring generational trauma alongside a slow-moving dystopia. Through inventive stories, readers see the rise of the technology and its effects as characters enter the memories of others and spend their lives lost to nostalgia. Egan won the Pulitzer Prize for A Visit from the Goon Squad , and this book is considered a spiritual sequel. Jennifer Egan’s The Candy House can be purchased from publisher Simon & Schuster , and this is recommended for readers who love complex narratives, stories of parental abandonment and its effects across generations, and readers who fear the effects of social media.

Actress, director and producer Olivia Wilde purchased the rights to "The Candy House" for a ... [+] television adaptation in 2023.

18. The Children of Men by P.D. James (1992)

Set in a terrifying vision of 2021, this haunting novel takes place in a society where no humans are being born due to a mysterious illness afflicting men. After two decades of no live births, England has descended into decadent chaos, with people living in reverence of the final generation, and citizens doting on animals in lieu of infants. As a small resistance effort forms, some seek to fight against the nihilism spreading across society. The book was adapted into a movie directed by visionary director Alfonso Cuarón, starring Clive Owen and Julianne Moore, in 2006. P.D. James’s The Children of Men can be purchased from publisher Penguin Random House .

Director Alfonso Cuaron and Clive Owen on a red carpet for the film adaptation "Children of Men."

17. Chain Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah (2023)

A Dystopia directly tackling racial politics and the prison industrial complex, Chain Gang All-Stars tells the story of two female prisoners and lovers tasked with fighting to the death for the entertainment of the masses. Set in a society where the private prison system has grown unchecked, televised death matches allow prisoners to fight for their freedom in order to raise money for the state. Haunting, lyrical and evocative, this book challenges readers with questions surrounding fairness, justice and freedom, and is perfect for readers who are passionate or curious about social justice and the history of policing in the United States. Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah’s Chain Gang All-Stars can be purchased from Pantheon, a division of Penguin Random House .

16. Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica, translated by Sarah Moses (2017)

A short, punchy novel and a TikTok favorite, Tender is the Flesh takes place in a future where animal meat has become poisonous, and governments around the world turn to the next best thing: humans. Marcos works as a manager for a “processing plant,” and slowly starts to question the choices available to him when he develops feelings for a woman scheduled to be “processed.” Dark, graphic and challenging, this book comes with a warning for the squeamish. Agustina Bazterrica’s Tender is the Flesh can be purchased from U.S. publisher Simon & Schuster .

15. The Circle by Dave Eggers (2013 )

Another dystopia about the confluence of social media and the rise of technology, The Circle was an instant classic upon its publication. Chronicling the story of a woman who begins working at The Circle, a company that develops software and tech, as the company slowly starts to spread its influence across the world through its SeeChange cameras, effectively monitoring the actions of millions of users at once. Prescient and sobering, The Circle is perfect for readers who worry about privacy, slow burning Dystopias and technological thrillers. The Circle spawned a film adaptation in 2017 starring Emma Watson and Tom Hanks, and a sequel ( The Every ) in 2021. Dave Eggers’s The Circle can be published from publisher Penguin Random House .

Emma Watson and Tom Hanks starred in the film adaptation of "The Circle."

14. Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell (2004 )

Shortlisted for the Booker Prize and revered as a classic, Cloud Atlas is an epic that combines a variety of genres into a moving and indelible novel. Utilizing a unique structure featuring six interlocking stories, the novel transforms in style (from letters, to journals, to an interview, to a legend passed down orally by a post-apocalyptic society) and genre (from historical fiction to thriller to dystopian to post-apocalyptic). Featuring a dystopia in which robots known as fabricants are controlled by corporations, the book builds to a thrilling conclusion before revealing how all six stories are connected. Memorable and powerful, this book is recommended for readers who enjoy challenging books, works that span genre, and stories about the power of hope and the human condition. David Mitchell ’s Cloud Atlas was also adapted into a movie starring Tom Hanks and Halle Berry in 2012, and can be purchased from publisher Penguin Random House .

13. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (1952 )

Another classic, Fahrenheit 451 changed the way Americans thought about freedom of speech, repression and the power of ideas, and is considered one of the greatest novels of all time. Set in a future where firemen find and burn books that could potentially inspire rebellion, Bradbury’s fire-starting protagonist soon questions what power the forbidden objects might hold, and why the government is so set on destroying them on sight. Fahrenheit 451 is considered prescient and powerful, and remains on the curriculum of high schools across the country. Fahrenheit 451 can be purchased from publisher Simon & Schuster .

12. Never Let me Go by Kazuo Ishigiro (2005)

Taking place in a world where incredible advances have been made in the field of biology, Never Let Me Go is set at a boarding school for clones in the 1990s. The three protagonists are being instructed in the ways of the world, but the reader quickly learns that the school, its purpose and society at large have something much darker in store for them. Centered on the roles and rights of an underclass, the novel is perfect for readers who are fans of quiet science fiction, literary fiction and deeply sad meditations on what it means to be human. The book was also adapted into a film starring Carey Mulligan, Keira Knightley and Andrew Garfield in 2010. Tender, devastating, and haunting, Kazuo Ishigiro’s Never Let Me Go was shortlisted for the Booker prize and can be purchased from publisher Penguin Random House .

Andrew Garfield, Carey Mulligan and Keira Knightley starred in the film adaptation of "Never Let Me ... [+] Go."

11. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick (1968)

A science fiction classic, this novel was the basis for the film Blade Runner and Blade Runner 2049 . In this book, most of humanity has fled Earth after nuclear war, and almost every animal is extinct. Upon leaving, each human family receives a robotic servant, with technology having advanced to the point the androids are identical to humans in every way. Centering on a bounty hunter in San Francisco tasked with destroying an escaped group of androids, this novel paints a portrait of an underclass longing for meaning amidst a ruined society devoid of hope. This book is recommended for readers who love existentialism, twists and noir fiction with a sci-fi bent. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? can be purchased from publisher Penguin Random House .

Ryan Gosling and Harrison Ford starred in "Blade Runner 2049," an adaptations of "Do Androids Dream ... [+] of Electric Sheep?"

10. The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin (2015)

A masterful blend of science fiction and fantasy, this novel takes place in a dystopian society rigidly divided by castes. The three protagonists are “orogenes,” people with the ability to create earthquakes, and are hated by members of every other caste. Throughout the novel, readers learn the “Fifth Season” refers to a period of intense climate change that will devastate the world, and a Fifth Season is rapidly approaching. Transformative and epic in scope, this novel won the prestigious Hugo Award for Best Novel, and is widely reversed as a modern classic for its handling of climate awareness and deft class politics using fantasy as a framework for societal analysis. N.K. Jemisin’s The Fifth Season spawned two sequels and can be purchased from publisher Hachette Book Group .

9. The Power by Naomi Alderman (2016)

Told in dual timelines, the first takes place in the modern day as women discover they have the ability to produce electricity from their fingertips due to a vestigial organ. The second, much darker timeline takes the reader to a far-off future where women have become the dominant gender and all technology has been destroyed. In this dystopian take on gender, the reader is forced to wonder what would happen if the gender wars became real, and envision a dark future where one gender has wrested power through violence. Thought-provoking, brilliant, and original, The Power was adapted into a series for Amazon Prime Video in 2023 and is perfect for readers of speculative fiction and fans of fictional historical documents. Naomi Alderman’s The Power can be purchased from publisher Hachette Book Group .

Toni Collette starred in a series adaptation of "The Power" for Amazon Prime Video.

8. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley (1932)

A searing social satire, Brave New World was instantly controversial upon publication for its depiction of a dystopian society that ranked people by intelligence and ability to produce. In a far-off future, humans are bred in artificial wombs and sorted into castes which determine their livelihoods. While society has progressed tremendously, with the elimination of diseases, violence and pain, protagonist Bernard Marx soon discovers not everything is as it seems when he discovers people living outside the rigidly defined society that he considers home. A blistering, deeply realized classic, Brave New World has been taught in schools for generations and can be purchased from publisher HarperCollins .

7. Severance by Ling Ma (2018)

A tale about the slow-moving end of the world, Severance is set in a world where a global pandemic infects victims with a fever that forces them to perform their day-to-day routines ad nauseam until their bodies fully shut down. Aimless Millennial protagonist Candace hardly notices when the world starts shutting down, only realizing she is trapped inside her own routine when she awakens in an abandoned New York City. As she seems to make her escape, joining up with a group of survivors led by a cheery IT worker, she slowly awakens to what post-fever society has become. Funny, dark and timely, this novel is perfect for readers who enjoy satires, immigrant narratives, and surreptitious take-downs of productivity culture. Ling Ma’s Severance can be purchased from publisher Macmillan .

6. The Dog Stars by Peter Heller (2012)

A blend of post-apocalyptic and dystopian fiction, The Dog Stars also centers on a society ravaged by a global pandemic, leaving pockets of survivors to fend for themselves in a largely uninhabited world. Receiving a radio transmission after years of silence, protagonist Hig and his dog set out to discover the mysteries of the new world and the dangers outside his pocket of safety. Gripping, moving, and poignant, The Dog Stars is recommended for readers who love stories about human perseverance and against-all-odds survival fiction. Peter Heller’s The Dog Stars can be purchased from publisher Penguin Random House .

5. The Giver by Lois Lowry (1993)

The book that introduced the concept of dystopian societies to many Young Adult readers, The Giver is a treasured, timeless classic. Set in a “utopian” society that has no color or emotion, readers are plunged into a sterile world with no pain—but also, no joy. Protagonist Jonas is eager to learn what his role in his Community will be before learning he will be the sole keeper of all memory from before society was rendered “perfect.” Reeling from the forbidden knowledge, Jonas soon learns there is a price to pay for perfection. This book is recommended for young adult readers and those seeking to be introduced to Dystopian fiction. Lois Lowry’s The Giver can be purchased from publisher HarperCollins .

4. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (2008)

A titan that redefined publishing upon its publication, The Hunger Games is often credited with ushering in the young adult dystopia genre boom in the 2010s. Taking place in a future affected by climate change and nuclear war, the United States has been reborn as Panem, a nation sporting a cruel and militaristic government and rigidly divided into Districts. To quell rebellion, the government forces two children between the ages of 12 and 18 from each District to fight to the death in televised battles for the entertainment of wealthy citizens in the Capitol. After her sister is selected for the Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her place and sets in motion a chain of events that promise to change Panem forever. The Hunger Games was adapted into a film in 2012 starring Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson. Suzanne Collins’s The Hunger Games and its sequels can be purchased from publisher Scholastic .

Actors Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Banks and Jennifer Lawrence in the film adaptation of the second ... [+] book in the Hunger Games series, "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire."

3. Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler (1993)

A prescient novel blending climate fiction, pharmaceutical malfeasance, pandemics and wealth inequality, this novel combines the dystopian and post-apocalyptic genres to paint a nightmare vision of America's future. As society actively crumbles due to catastrophic climate change, citizens hide from violence in gated communities. In an alternate 2024, companies “own” workers through forms of debt management, and unregulated corporations have reinstated Company Towns. In one of the final safe places outside Los Angeles, protagonist Lauren Olamina internalizes the religious teachings of her father, and seeks to understand what hope can accomplish in a world on the brink of collapse. A TikTok favorite, this book is vivid, thoughtful and exceedingly clear-eyed about the possibilities of the future. This book is perfect for readers of fiction that interrogates big ideas and readers of bleak science fiction. Octavia E. Butler’s Parable of the Sower can be purchased from publisher Hachette Book Group .

2. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood (1985)

A feminist classic, The Handmaid’s Tale continues to be upheld as one of the most prophetic and ominous dystopian novels of all time. Featuring a United States controlled by a theocratic government, women have lost all rights, and women with the ability to bear children are known as Handmaids and are conscripted into servitude for powerful men. The novel emphasizes how ideologies can become widespread, and how darkness can seep into the minds of ordinary citizens. Dark, mournful and informative, this book is recommended for readers who are curious about the way fascism spreads, readers of feminist literature and all fans of literary science fiction. Atwood followed The Handmaid’s Tale with The Testaments in 2019, and elements from both books were used in Hulu’s 2018 adaptation. Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale can be purchased from publisher HarperCollins .

Author Margaret Atwood attends the premiere of Hulu's "The Handmaid's Tale" adaptation.

1. 1984 by George Orwell (1949)

An undisputed, revolutionary work upon its publication, 1984 was so eerie it spawned the word “Orwellian,” an adjective to describe behaviors displayed in the novel. In a totalitarian England controlled by an all-seeing, all-knowing politician known as Big Brother, protagonist Winston Smith silently seethes at the complete control the government has over citizens, and the culture of turning people in for “thoughtcrimes.” Secretly plotting rebellion, Winston struggles to trust anyone around him, and soon learns Big Brother’s arms and eyes reach further than he could ever imagine. Unsettling, powerful and masterful, 1984 is a masterpiece that awakened readers to the dangers of propaganda and the importance of free speech. 1984 can be purchased from publisher HarperCollins .

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the best ya dystopian novels.

The best YA dystopian novels are: 

The Hunger Games , by Suzanne Collins (2008), an instant classic that follows Katniss Everdeen as she fights to the death in a televised match. 

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld (2005), where everyone in society receives massive plastic surgery in order to be deemed a Pretty, and Tally is sent on a journey to find her missing friend before being able to undergo her surgery.

The Selection by Keira Cass (2012) takes place in a post-apocalyptic US divided into castes, where royals choose spouses from amidst the castes in a televised competition for their love.

What Are The Best Dystopian Romance Novels?

Dystopias and romance don't often go hand-in-hand. By definition, the romance genre demands a happy ending, something not often found in dystopian fiction. That said, the best dystopian novels with romance elements are:

The Selection by Keira Cass (2012), where America Singer finds herself slowly falling for Prince Maxon against her greater instincts.

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishigiro (2005), where Tommy and Ruth fall into a steady, dependable relationship and cling to one another as their futures slowly unfurl.

What Are The Best Dystopian Novels For Teens?   

For readers slightly younger than young adult, the best dystopian books for teens are:

The Giver by Lois Lowry (2005), a classic that takes place in a society devoid of emotion, color and temperature. Protagonist Jonas (who is 12 when the book begins) receives his Assignment as The Giver, the keeper of all memories from before society became a dystopia. When Jonas learns what keeps his society "perfect," his life is never the same.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (1952), for slightly older teens. This novel has been on the curriculum of high schools across the country for generations. Featuring a fireman who finds and burns books, the protagonist soon begins to wonder why the government is so keen on suppressing the flow of information, and introduces young readers to the power of ideas. 

The dystopian genre is vast, covering a wide swath of societal ills. Whether the books above take place in alternate futures, fantasy societies or worlds with androids and robots, the power of dystopian novels lie in their ability to shine a light on our society as it is, and present a vision of horrific futures we should all work to avoid.

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