5 dystopian novels that will keep you up at night
The streets are empty, the air is heavy. People live under strict control. No one is allowed to speak freely. Smiles are rare. Hope is slowly dying. This is dystopia where society is rife with suffering and injustice.
Stories that are set in a dystopian world have always fascinated readers because they offer haunting tales that question society and human nature. They blend suspense and drama with socio-political issues such as inequality and loss of free will, and offer catharsis. Here are five must-read dystopian fictions that dive into disturbing futures and make us question the world we live in.
Set in a world where human cloning has become standard. It shows the perspective of clones created for the sole purpose of donating their organs. The book forces readers to confront the uncomfortable reality of a world where individuals are stripped of agency. It poses the question of what it means to be human. Though labelled as a dystopian sci-fi, it's actually a deeply human story about love and loss, and the way we come to terms with our fate.
Shows a future where books are banned, and firemen, instead of putting out fires, are responsible for burning them. Burning books is a strategic way to suppress knowledge and control people. Without books, people remain ignorant and unable to think for themselves. As there is no written record, people believe whatever the government tells them about their lives. When knowledge disappears so does the power to think and question. The story follows Montag, a fireman who begins to doubt the oppressive society that he supported. This book makes us question if we stop reading, what kind of future are we choosing? 'A book is a loaded gun in the house next door…Who knows who might be the target of the well-read man?'
Delves into the human conditions in a dystopian world where women's rights have been completely stripped away. It shows how easily freedom can be taken away and how people can become part of the very system that oppresses them. Atwood has stated that every rule and punishment in The Handmaid's Tale is drawn from real events that have happened in the darkest chapters of history. This book is truly as unsettling as it gets, in the best possible way. It is not just a story of fiction, it's a warning rooted in truths we've already seen.
A totalitarian government, the Capitol, controls the oppressed districts in Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games. The story displays a huge gulf between the wealthy Capitol and the poor districts. The Capitol forces two children every year from each district to participate in The Hunger Games, which is a televised event for Capitol's entertainment. The irony is that this is no game, it is a merciless battle where losing doesn't just mean defeat, it means death. 'Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor.'
As a woman gives birth, the city of London drowns in water. The story of new motherhood is shown in Megan Hunter's debut novel, The End We Start From. It's about an unnamed protagonist and her newborn son as they navigate displacement and survival in a world that no longer feels stable. 'We are told not to panic, the most panic-inducing instruction known to man.' Even as the world falls apart throughout the book, love and hope ignite a fierce fight in this family to survive and to begin again.
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Business Standard
4 hours ago
- Business Standard
Trump plays golf in Scotland as protesters rally against his visit
President Donald Trump played golf Saturday at his course on Scotland's coast while protesters around the country took to the streets to decry his visit and accuse United Kingdom leaders of pandering to the American. Trump and his son Eric played with the US ambassador to Britain, Warren Stephens, near Turnberry, a historic course that the Trump family's company took over in 2014. Security was tight, and protesters kept at a distance wand unseen by the group during Trump's round. He was dressed in black, with a white USA cap, and was spotted driving a golf cart. The president appeared to play an opening nine holes, stop for lunch, then head out for nine more. By the middle of the afternoon, plainclothes security officials began leaving, suggesting Trump was done for the day. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered on the cobblestone and tree-lined street in front of the US Consulate about 160 kilometres away in Edinburgh, Scotland's capital. Speakers told the crowd that Trump was not welcome and criticised British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for striking a recent trade deal to avoid stiff US tariffs on goods imported from the UK. Protests were planned in other cities as environmental activists, opponents of Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza and pro-Ukraine groups loosely formed a Stop Trump Coalition. Anita Bhadani, an organiser, said the protests were kind of like a carnival of resistance. June Osbourne, 52, a photographer and photo historian from Edinburgh wore a red cloak and white hood, recalling The Handmaid's Tale. Osbourne held up picture of Trump with Resist stamped over his face. I think there are far too many countries that are feeling the pressure of Trump and that they feel that they have to accept him and we should not accept him here, Osbourne said. The dual-US-British citizen said the Republican president was the worst thing that has happened to the world, the US, in decades. Trump's late mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, was born on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland and the president has suggested he feels at home in the country. But the protesters did their best to change that. I don't think I could just stand by and not do anything, said Amy White, 15, of Edinburgh, who attended with her parents. She held a cardboard sign that said We don't negotiate with fascists. She said so many people here loathe him. We're not divided. We're not divided by religion, or race or political allegiance, we're just here together because we hate him. Other demonstrators held signs of pictures with Trump and Jeffrey Epstein as the fervour over files in the case has increasingly frustrated the president. In the view of Mark Gorman, 63, of Edinburgh, the vast majority of Scots have this sort of feeling about Trump that, even though he has Scottish roots, he's a disgrace. Gorman, who works in advertising, said he came out because I have deep disdain for Donald Trump and everything that he stands for. Saturday's protests were not nearly as large as the throngs that demonstrated across Scotland when Trump played at Turnberry during his first term in 2018. But, as bagpipes played, people chanted Trump Out! and raised dozens of homemade signs that said things like No red carpet for dictators, We don't want you here and Stop Trump. Migrants welcome. One dog had a sign that said No treats for tyrants. Some on the far right took to social media to call for gatherings supporting Trump in places such as Glasgow. Trump also plans to talk trade with Starmer and Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president. But golf is a major focus. The family will also visit another Trump course near Aberdeen in northeastern Scotland, before returning to Washington on Tuesday. The Trumps will cut the ribbon and play a new, second course in that area, which officially opens to the public next month. Scottish First Minister John Swinney, who is also set to meet with Trump during the visit, announced that public money will go to staging the 2025 Nexo Championship, previously known previously as the Scottish Championship, at Trump's first course near Aberdeen next month. The Scottish Government recognises the importance and benefits of golf and golf events, including boosting tourism and our economy, Swinney said. At a protest Saturday in Aberdeen, Scottish Parliament member Maggie Chapman told the crowd of hundreds: We stand in solidarity, not only against Trump but against everything he and his politics stand for. The president has long lobbied for Turnberry to host the British Open, which it has not done since he took over ownership. In a social media post Saturday, Trump quoted the retired golfer Gary Player as saying Turnberry was among the Top Five Greatest Golf Courses he had played in as a professional. The president, in the post, misspelled the city where his golf course is located.
Indian Express
4 hours ago
- Indian Express
Trump plays golf in Scotland while protesters take to the streets and decry his visit
President Donald Trump played golf Saturday at his course on Scotland's coast while protesters around the country took to the streets to decry his visit and accuse United Kingdom leaders of pandering to the American. Trump and his son Eric played with the US ambassador to Britain, Warren Stephens, near Turnberry, a historic course that the Trump family's company took over in 2014. Security was tight, and protesters kept at a distance wand unseen by the group during Trump's round. He was dressed in black, with a white 'USA' cap, and was spotted driving a golf cart. The president appeared to play an opening nine holes, stop for lunch, then head out for nine more. By the middle of the afternoon, plainclothes security officials began leaving, suggesting Trump was done for the day. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered on the cobblestone and tree-lined street in front of the US Consulate about 100 miles (160 kilometers) away in Edinburgh, Scotland's capital. Speakers told the crowd that Trump was not welcome and criticized British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for striking a recent trade deal to avoid stiff US tariffs on goods imported from the UK Protests were planned in other cities as environmental activists, opponents of Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza and pro-Ukraine groups loosely formed a 'Stop Trump Coalition.' Anita Bhadani, an organizer, said the protests were 'kind of like a carnival of resistance.' June Osbourne, 52, a photographer and photo historian from Edinburgh wore a red cloak and white hood, recalling 'The Handmaid's Tale.' Osbourne held up picture of Trump with 'Resist' stamped over his face. 'I think there are far too many countries that are feeling the pressure of Trump and that they feel that they have to accept him and we should not accept him here,' Osbourne said. The dual-US-British citizen said the Republican president was 'the worst thing that has happened to the world, the US, in decades.' Trump's late mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, was born on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland and the president has suggested he feels at home in the country. But the protesters did their best to change that. 'I don't think I could just stand by and not do anything,' said Amy White, 15, of Edinburgh, who attended with her parents. She held a cardboard sign that said 'We don't negotiate with fascists.' She said 'so many people here loathe him. We're not divided. We're not divided by religion, or race or political allegiance, we're just here together because we hate him.' Other demonstrators held signs of pictures with Trump and Jeffrey Epstein as the fervor over files in the case has increasingly frustrated the president. In the view of Mark Gorman, 63, of Edinburgh, 'the vast majority of Scots have this sort of feeling about Trump that, even though he has Scottish roots, he's a disgrace.' Gorman, who works in advertising, said he came out 'because I have deep disdain for Donald Trump and everything that he stands for.' Saturday's protests were not nearly as large as the throngs that demonstrated across Scotland when Trump played at Turnberry during his first term in 2018. But, as bagpipes played, people chanted 'Trump Out!' and raised dozens of homemade signs that said things like 'No red carpet for dictators,' 'We don't want you here' and 'Stop Trump. Migrants welcome.' One dog had a sign that said 'No treats for tyrants.' Some on the far right took to social media to call for gatherings supporting Trump in places such as Glasgow. Trump also plans to talk trade with Starmer and Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president. But golf is a major focus. The family will also visit another Trump course near Aberdeen in northeastern Scotland, before returning to Washington on Tuesday. The Trumps will cut the ribbon and play a new, second course in that area, which officially opens to the public next month. Scottish First Minister John Swinney, who is also set to meet with Trump during the visit, announced that public money will go to staging the 2025 Nexo Championship, previously known previously as the Scottish Championship, at Trump's first course near Aberdeen next month. 'The Scottish Government recognizes the importance and benefits of golf and golf events, including boosting tourism and our economy,' Swinney a protest Saturday in Aberdeen, Scottish Parliament member Maggie Chapman told the crowd of hundreds: 'We stand in solidarity, not only against Trump but against everything he and his politics stand for.' The president has long lobbied for Turnberry to host the British Open, which it has not done since he took over ownership. In a social media post Saturday, Trump quoted the retired golfer Gary Player as saying Turnberry was among the 'Top Five Greatest Golf Courses' he had played in as a professional. The president, in the post, misspelled the city where his golf course is located
The Hindu
4 hours ago
- The Hindu
Trump plays golfs in Scotland while protesters take to streets, decry his visit
President Donald Trump played golf Saturday (July 26, 2025) at his course on Scotland's coast while protesters around the country took to the streets to decry his visit and accuse United Kingdom leaders of pandering to the American. Mr. Trump and his son Eric played with the U.S. ambassador to Britain, Warren Stephens, near Turnberry, a historic course that the Trump family's company took over in 2014. Security was tight, and protesters kept at a distance wand unseen by the group during Trump's round. He was dressed in black, with a white 'USA' cap, and was spotted driving a golf cart. The President appeared to play an opening nine holes, stop for lunch, then head out for nine more. By the middle of the afternoon, plainclothes security officials began leaving, suggesting Trump was done for the day. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered on the cobblestone and tree-lined street in front of the U.S. Consulate about 160 kilometres away in Edinburgh, Scotland's capital. Speakers told the crowd that Mr. Trump was not welcome and criticised British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for striking a recent trade deal to avoid stiff U.S. tariffs on goods imported from the U.K.. Protests were planned in other cities as environmental activists, opponents of Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza and pro-Ukraine groups loosely formed a 'Stop Trump Coalition.' Anita Bhadani, an organiser, said the protests were 'kind of like a carnival of resistance.' June Osbourne, 52, a photographer and photo historian from Edinburgh wore a red cloak and white hood, recalling 'The Handmaid's Tale.' Osbourne held up picture of Trump with 'Resist' stamped over his face. 'I think there are far too many countries that are feeling the pressure of Trump and that they feel that they have to accept him and we should not accept him here,' Osbourne said. The dual-US-British citizen said the Republican president was 'the worst thing that has happened to the world, the US, in decades.' Mr. Trump's late mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, was born on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland and the president has suggested he feels at home in the country. But the protesters did their best to change that. 'I don't think I could just stand by and not do anything,' said Amy White, 15, of Edinburgh, who attended with her parents. She held a cardboard sign that said 'We don't negotiate with fascists.' She said 'so many people here loathe him. We're not divided. We're not divided by religion, or race or political allegiance, we're just here together because we hate him.' Other demonstrators held signs of pictures with Trump and Jeffrey Epstein as the fervour over files in the case has increasingly frustrated the president. In the view of Mark Gorman, 63, of Edinburgh, 'the vast majority of Scots have this sort of feeling about Trump that, even though he has Scottish roots, he's a disgrace.' Gorman, who works in advertising, said he came out 'because I have deep disdain for Donald Trump and everything that he stands for.' Saturday's protests were not nearly as large as the throngs that demonstrated across Scotland when Mr. Trump played at Turnberry during his first term in 2018. But, as bagpipes played, people chanted 'Trump Out!' and raised dozens of homemade signs that said things like 'No red carpet for dictators,' 'We don't want you here' and 'Stop Trump. Migrants welcome.' One dog had a sign that said 'No treats for tyrants.' Some on the far right took to social media to call for gatherings supporting Trump in places such as Glasgow. Mr. Trump also plans to talk trade with Starmer and Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president. But golf is a major focus.
