In light of tomorrow’s release of Mockingjay, I will be posting on related topics today and tomorrow.
I’ve always been a fan of dystopian novels long before I knew the term “dystopian.” I remember reading The Giver in middle school and being blown away. 1984 was easily my favorite assigned read in high school. Recently I can’t get enough of the genre (though there are more coming out than I could reasonably read).
I think what I appreciate about these books is their depiction of the way that we sinners make a mess out of things. Without God, that’s where we’re left.
Lately, though, I’ve notice that a few of the recent releases stray from the dystopian theme, perhaps.
Can a dystopian novel end optimistically and still be dystopian?
I mean, even Hunger Games ends in a seemingly impossible way (trying to be spoiler free!)…though we still don’t know how the trilogy will end.
Under the Dome (which I don’t mind spoiling because I think Stephen King should have been edited down from 1000 pages to no more than 600) ends simply and optimistically.
Susan Beth Pfeffer’s Last Survivors trilogy is what got me thinking about this subject originally.
But on the other hand, a few years ago I disliked The Road because there WAS no hope in the end. So either I’m a hypocrite, or my tastes have changed. Or maybe I allowed my dislike of Cormac McCarthy’s style to color my view of his ending.
I wonder if we want dystopian books to end happily, just like our movies. Can we not handle the dark truth of a tale like The Picture of Dorian Gray today?
Thoughts?
Photo by mattsabo17
This reminds me what I need to read the giver again now that I am older. I loved it them, I’d probably find it even more intriguing now.
I teach “The Martian Chronicles” and “Anthem” every single year. I think it is important that kids realize the messages inherent in these types of novels. It’s sort of like teaching religion, without teaching religion since we aren’t allowed to in public school.
I think it would be a shame to see many dystopian novels have unrealistically happy endings. I haven’t read a ton of them, but I tend to like the unhappy ending. It reminds me of who I am and who I need to be. These sorts of novels are sobering and help me to see myself in society and how I contribute (or not) to the big issues we face today. I don’t read a dystopian novel to make myself feel better. People know what types of books to read to feed that “happy place” inside them.
I read Under the Dome this summer and I couldn’t agree with you more! I left disappointed with the book. I think it was just because it was so long and filled with the details of everyone’s view that the end just fell flat.
Cammy: I’ve never read ANTHEM, though I’m a big Rand fan (of her writing…not as much about her philosophy).
Elizabeth: I don’t mind a happy ending…if it’s realistic. But in a dystopian? Not likely. The end of 1984 always gives me chills. It’s the way it’s supposed to be.
Veronica: Definitely fell flat! I actually picked up THE PASSAGE and read about 75 pages, before I had to put it down. I might have liked it, but with a big thumbs up from Stephen King on the back AND it being as long as UNDER THE DOME, I just couldn’t do it. It was like deja vu.