Dystopian Literature: A Different World View

Dystopian novels have been around since the 18^th century, and they continue to be extremely popular in the 21^st century. These novels are often written in the aftermath of a disaster.  The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins, The Maze Runner series by James Dashner, and the Divergent series by Veronica Roth were all released in the aftermath of the September 11^th bombings.   Films made from these books have increased their popularity.

A dystopian atmosphere finds characters in an imaginary and off-balance setting where they experience many difficulties that are hard to work through and where the overall tone is one of fear with little hope for an improved existence.  Those who live in a dystopian society find that there is little freedom of choice along with fear of the future and the possibility of terrible events they may be expected to face. 

Some of the characteristics that are common in the dystopian world include:  an unconventional setting that is an integral part of the story; powerful leaders who rule rigidly by enforcing a strict order that does not allow for deviation; likeable protagonists who are facing difficulties that have been shaped by their

environment and the situations they must encounter; and a conclusion that implies that the dire circumstances that are part of the plot will not cease when the books ends.

Books such as Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, and 1984 by George Orwell are a few of the titles that are available for you to check out at the Al Harris Library.  If you are interested in learning more, take a look at the glass display case near the doors to the library to see these books and movies.

[Surveillance camera image courtesy of crystalRyu.]

Musk Reads: Tesla Founder's Favorite Books

Elon Musk is a billionaire American Entrepreneur and Businessman. He is the founder of SpaceX, Zip2, PayPal, and Tesla Motors. In 2013, Musk was named the Fortune Businessperson of the year and in 2014 was awarded the World Technology Award in the categories of Energy and Space given by the World Technology Network.

When asked where he learned how to build rockets, he simply replied: I read books…

Business Insider has compiled a list of 9 books thatElon Musk thinks everyone should read. They range from the classic works of J.R.R. Tolkien to the latest research on Artificial Intelligence. The billionaire entrepreneur, who helped privatize space travel and envisions a world of clean energy, is also lifelong reader.  

Come by the Al Harris Library and check out his list of books, they’re here waiting for you to read. 

Gone But Not Forgotten

Not all authors live to see worldwide fame.  Indeed, sometimes the works published after the author’s death exceed the number produced while still alive.  Striking examples are J.R.R. Tolkien (d. 1973) and C.S. Lewis (d. 1963).  Each author’s name includes approximately 30 new published titles, and the numbers continue to grow.  Tolkien’s latest, The Story of Kullervo was released in Britain during August 2015.  Lewis’s The Collected Poems of C. S. Lewis: A Critical Edition was released in January 2015. 

With fewer titles, other notable examples are David Foster Wallace (d. 2008) who has four posthumous titles including his latest, David Foster Reader published in 2014.  Stieg Larson (d. 2004) is known for his international bestselling Millennium Trilogy which was published 2005-2007.  Ralph Ellison (d. 1994) most famous for Invisible Man (1952) had five books published after his death ending with Three Days Before the Shooting... in 2010.  John Kennedy Toole (d. 1969) has two published works, the award-winning Confederacy of Dunces (1980) followed by The Neon Bible (1989). Both titles were published after his death.

Other authors with posthumously published books include Kurt Vonnegut (d. 2007), Douglas Adams (d. 2001), Robert A. Heinlein (d. 1988), Anne Frank (d. 1945), and Virginia Woolf (d. 1941). See the book display showcasing authors who are gone but not forgotten on the first floor of the Al Harris Library.  All books displayed are available for check out.