Why I'm Reading Dystopian Fiction During a Pandemic

An attempt at explaining my craving for dystopian classics at a time like this, with a bit of a rant about why we shouldn't compare current events to fictional stories.

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[SpinstersLibrary]

Something I wanted to make clear because I’m not sure it came across that way in the video: The current situation all across the world is terrible and many people are suffering and will continue to suffer. This is why it’s even more important that we don’t invalidate this suffering by making flippant comparisons to works of fiction, and that we are always aware of our own privileges. I’m sitting in a comfortable home, able to continue living my life without much disruption. The fact that I’m not allowed to go to the pub at the weekend doesn’t make this a dystopia. People’s lives are at stake here, so stay inside.

[braxtonanderson]

I find reading dystopian fiction in the pandemic quite therapeutic lol

[spinstercatlady]

I can completely relate! I've never really read dystopian fiction, but I've been reading historical fiction and nonfiction based in eras that dealt with major wars or plagues. I find it comforting to see how people in the past dealt with difficult times and the actions they took to get through it, and to realize that they DID get through it and the world didn't end. Yes, things are pretty bad right now but looking at the major upheavals from history I know that it could be much worse. Of course I intersperse my reading with sweet, calming books such as The Secret Garden (we still have Spring!) and Pride and Prejudice as well. I try to limit myself to one hour of news with my morning coffee and a few minutes in the evening to stay informed, but not so much that I'm a nervous wreck lol. Glad to see you are staying safe and healthy and thank you for these thoughtful videos ❤

[BookishTexan]

Well said in regard to people comparing the situation we have now to a dystopian novel. I have been watching your videos without participating in the reading, not because I don't want to read dystopian fiction during the pandemic, but because I'm not a big fan of dystopian fiction in general. But, there is nothing wrong with reading anything at any time. Different people cope with things differently.

[librariancalifornia]

I agree with you that being asked (or forced) to stay at home for a pandemic is very different than a dystopian nation-state novel plot playing out. You read what you want and glad that reading dystopian is working for you right now! Yes, plenty to be angry about regarding politics these days, but different than a fictional novel playing out.


I grabbed two books for some reason out of my office at work on pandemics (non-fiction) before my library was closing down, and I made a TBR video (not released yet) on whether or not now is finally the time to read them or not. Part of me says being well-informed and educated on the topics is never a bad thing, and then the other part of me says maybe this is too close to home right now and now is NOT the time to read these two books. I haven't decided yet so for now they still sit at as a TBR in my collection.

[gaiaathena-books]

I don't have much to say about some of your videos, but just wanted to say I am watching. I read what I'm in the mood for, I don't do well with read-a-thons and themed things because I don't want to restrict what I feel like reading (I do try one on occasion). I can understand people not wanting to read dystopian fiction I guess, but you should totally continue reading it since that's what you want to do! It's true, today's world is not like dystopian fiction, there are extremely good reasons for restricting people's freedoms, rather than restricting people just because (of nonsense reasons). You have had this idea for a long time, before this pandemic started I think.

[catalina_]

I love Dystopian fiction! And I do read dystopian fiction in the pandemic!

[MarionOlvas]

Haha I am actually from Hungary, and when you said that we are actually not at the beginning of a distopia I was starting to disagree..and than you said Hungary. Yeah. To be honest I am more anxious about the current things happening in my country than a global pandemic, which is really frightening regarding that we are in the middle of the pandemic as well. I have no idea what will happen, and I am starting to feel more and more anxious every day. Pffff.. maybe I should watch videos about kittens. Or I don't know. But after all I wanted to say that I have found your channel not long ago and I really like what you are doing :) I really loved Station Eleven, but there would not be enough money to make me read it now I think. Hits too close I think.

[SusieTheExhaustedCatLady]

I agree 100 percent about rights and people complaining.

[LanaCelebic]

I don't mind reading dystopian/ post-apocalyptic literature at this moment for pretty much the same reasons that you mentioned in this video. The only reason why I'm not fully participating in the readathon is that I already had other plans for April, and I don't own any books from the genre that I haven't read before. However, I heard you talk about 'The Machine Stops' by E. M. Forster, it sounded so interesting that I checked if it's available on Scribd, and it is. So, I'm starting it after I finish writing this comment, it will be a small contribution to this readathon.
I might be a bit more outdoorsy than you (at least I think so, based on what you said about yourself in some of your videos), but I do agree that not being able to go to the pub doesn't make this a dystopia. Even if I'm not concerned about the virus for myself, I don't want to be a self-centered jerk and spread it around just because I miss having a drink with friends. We can always find other ways to make the best of our time. So, let's read. 😊
I love these videos. Stay safe and read on!

[GunpowderFictionPlot]

Yes, there’s a massive difference between a government taking authoritarian measures to save lives and one doing the same to keep control of the people or to achieve their own disgusting agenda.

I also love and agree with you that some dystopian novels can be funny or silly; after all, when done well they’re essentially satire.

Excellent video. Now I’m off to educate myself on what happening in Hungary.

[teresamedeiros]

Reading dystopian books give me comfort for some reason. I ordered Fever, 1793 and Pandemic, 1918 recently. And I read Sirens of Titan last month. Have you read it? I'd love your take on it if you have.

[ManikaTheStrangerWhoReads]

Thank you very much for this video because everything you have said is so very on point. I am amongst the privileged ones but I am very aware that I could have been on the other side. The reality for underdeveloped countries is so brutally violent and cruel that hearing people like you said feeling outraged at now being able to go to the pub or to the park when they are people who cannot afford to stay at home really infuriates me
Thank you for calming my anger with your articulateness of such a simple situation which could be resolved way faster if people would stop being dickheads and listen for the good of everyone else.

[Jbenn-enhc]

Have you read On The Beach by Nevile Shute? For me it doesn't get more dystopian than that.

[liz_alva]

I'm drawn to dystopian fiction too. Could anyone recommend a dystopian book under 150 pages? (I've already read and enjoyed 'The Machine Stops' & 'Animal Farm'.)

[alistair]

I'm not sure I went for the original Dystopian/post-apocalypse division, they are often used interchangeably, doubt if I know what is the correct use, or if there is, of the words?
I suppose 'clockwork orange' is dystopia without a reason, societal collapse?
Then there is the after-war (usually atomic) type that's 'more my generations' paranoia, so pandemics hardly worth losing sleep over?
Anyway, just started reading Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazerrica an Argentine novel about an infection of the animal world and our/there reaction to it. (suitably dark and twisted for 'the end-of-days')
In the spirit of the times my brother reminded me of the BBC tv series from the 70's Survivors (probably available on U-tube?)


don't know what you have planned for your 'end of world' reading but thought I'd 'shout-out'/suggest Riddle Walker by someone Hoban(?) not sure it was a long time ago, again written in a language that had change post apocalypse but not as violent as Clockwork Orange more a miss spoken/pronounced English in a world a few hundred years after whatever had happened.
(as I remember as boy 12-ish growing up the "new world' whats left of Kent?)

[BernasBookishAdventures]

People are not comparing the situation to a police state in my country but there are some posts in the social media about how bored they are now that they are stuck in their houses. As a civil service worker who has to go to work every day and use public transportation, I get really angry at their posts. For my mental health, I decided not to look at social media very often.
I think everyone should read what they want to read in such times, I would not want to read dsytopian fiction (although I like the genre) because I do nıt want to read books that makes me more angry right now.

[danecobain]

Well, why not read something that's a little more cheerful than what's actually happening ^_^

[metriodshine]

You're so German. Dystopia is not binary. Please don't judge people too harshly.

[albertobozzetto]

Social Experiments my dear, you will see...