I’ve just finished Matched by Allyson Condie which is a dystopian novel (they’re popular right now). The rulers of the society thought their culture was too crowded and they formed a committee to weed it out. They picked what they thought were the 100 best poems, pictures, etc and everything else was destroyed. Early in the novel the MC said something to the effect of How can we appreciate anything fully when overwhelmed with too much?
We live in an age when we have a lot of literature available on the internet, ebooks, traditional and self publishing. I know there are books out there that I could love, that would touch my soul, but that I will never find because there are so many choices. But to have someone else limit my choices according to their tastes is not an option. There’s been a big blow up about the article claiming the YA genre is too dark. The general outcry has been that people need choices. Not every person is the same and it is not right for someone else to choose for everyone.
Having your right to choose taken away is a recurring theme in most dystopian novels. Do you think that is what humans fear most? Besides loss of family and friends that is? And how do you find what you love in the myriad of choices?
I'm shivering in horror at the thought of someone limiting the choices in any field. I'm able to do that for myself, thank you. ; )
ReplyDeleteI think humans fear the lack of connection most of all--be it family, friends, groups, etc. It's dehumanizing to be sentenced to solitary. Just my humble opinion.
Good point. Solitude can be very dehumanizing, and is a theme of several books. Right off the top of my head I can think of Island of the Blue Dolphins and I am Legend.
ReplyDeleteI'd be afraid of my choices being limited as well - it always boggles my mind to meet people who don't want to get out there and find things out for themselves, but are willing to take everything at face value. I think that's why 1984 scared me so much - it seems so plausible.
ReplyDeleteI think not belonging scares the pants of most 'oomins.
ReplyDeleteOooh, that is scary. The fact that these "alternate" realities are plausible.
ReplyDeleteWiddershins, Very true.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely the plausibility of the dystopian novels makes them scary. As for finding books I generally look around bookshops, pick up different authors, ask for recommendations, such as ask booksellers if I like such-and-such, who else would I like?, and keep my eyes open for reviews!
ReplyDeleteI love getting recommendations from other authors. Also making friends with bookstore personnel can be very helpful.
ReplyDelete