A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
I have to say, at first, I really didn't like this novella, mostly because of the strange slang language that was used throughout, which was quite difficult to get used to, but also because of the disturbing things that occur within the book. However, by the end of the book, Burgess' writing is so powerful and makes you think so much about society, that it really changed my opinion, Set in a dystopian future world, it follows a gang of youths who take drugs and commit extremely violent crimes, and the States' attempt to reform and control them. Burgess' writing is so interesting and the story is so short yet remains incredibly powerful.
1984 by George Orwell
1984 will always remain one of my favourite novels. Although it's not exactly futuristic these days, since 1984 was about 30 years ago, it will always be one of the most interesting dystopians I've ever read. The story follows a man living in this world where the State controls everything: what people do, how they live, their thoughts, and even history. Orwell's social commentary on the way society is changing so that everyone is being watched and controlled is so incredibly fascinating, not least because some of the things feared in this book, have come true. It's a chilling prediction on the way society could turn out to be and a definite read for any dystopian fans.
The Host by Stephenie Meyer
The Host is a very different novel to those I've already mentioned. The book is set in the future where Earth has been invaded by alien host-like creatures, or 'souls', which inhabit human bodies and take over the planet. The book follows a soul named Wanderer who receives a body but the mind of the girl she's taken over begins to fight back, leading her to discover human survivors. Although it's a science fiction book, Meyer focuses on the survival of humans rather than the alien species, which I found really interesting. It's absolutely nothing like Twilight and is written nothing like it either (if that caused a prejudice for anyone). I loved this book when I first read it and it's stuck with me since. I highly recommend it to anyone who's not yet picked it up!Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
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So this is book that probably everyone has read by now, but if you haven't then you need to go read it now!! Ahhh. This book. This book. This book is just full of nostalgia. It is chock full of 80s references, in particular video games. If you're into video games and/or grew up in the 80s and/or any type of geek, you will adore this book as much as I did. This science fiction book is set only a few decades in the future, in a pretty much dystopian world where people escape reality through a virtual console called Oasis. People go to school through it, socialise on it and game on it. The creator of Oasis left easter eggs throughout this virtual world and, if found, they lead straight to his fortune. The story follows a young boy who is hooked on finding these easter eggs and studies 80s culture in order to do so. This book is just incredibly clever, witty and full of likeable characters. It's the most incredible science fiction book I've ever read.
The Running Man by Stephen King
I'm always surprised by how few people know about this book. Written by Stephen King, under his pseudonym 'Richard Bachman', this book is a forerunner of The Hunger Games. Set in a future of extreme poverty, where the poor are seen as nothing but rodents, the book follows a man named Ben Richards, who's daughter becomes extremely ill. In order to get money for her medical bills he enlists in a game show where the objective is to survive. It's a fantastic, gripping story and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoyed The Hunger Games or Battle Royale!
So those are my Top Five Futuristic books! What are yours?
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