Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Five can’t-miss classics of dystopian fiction

At The Barnes & Noble Book Blog Ellen Wehle tagged five can’t-miss classics of dystopian fiction, including:
This Perfect Day, by Ira Levin

If you haven’t heard of this 1970 novel (which is entirely possible, as it seems to fly under the radar), get ready to stay up all night reading. Though Levin is better known for Rosemary’s Baby, to my mind This Perfect Day is his masterpiece. Under the benevolent control of a computer called Uni, the world’s population is peaceful and happy, provided they take their monthly drugs. Initially the hero, Chip, is a conformist: when his grandfather warns him Uni has a dark side, six-year-old Chip promptly reports him to the authorities. Years later his grandfather’s words return to him, and a rebel leader is born.
Read about the other entries on the list.

--Marshal Zeringue