Political Fiction
Political Fiction addresses political ideologies, systems, and conflicts, often critiquing or imagining alternatives.
Bring Up the Bodies
Series: The Wolf Hall Trilogy (#2)
Bring Up the Bodies is the second novel in Hilary Mantel's acclaimed historical fiction trilogy about Thomas Cromwell, set during the reign of Henry VIII. This installment follows Cromwell's intricate maneuvering to secure Anne Boleyn's downfall and Thomas More's execution, offering a compelling and nuanced portrayal of power, politics, and personal ambition.
1984
In a totalitarian future Britain, Winston Smith secretly rebels against the omnipresent government that controls reality itself through surveillance, propaganda, and the manipulation of language and history. When he falls in love with Julia, another rebel, their forbidden relationship becomes an act of political rebellion. The novel explores themes of truth, power, and human dignity in a world where independent thought is a crime.
The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida
Set in 1980s Sri Lanka, The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida follows the titular character, a war photographer who finds himself in the afterlife with seven days to uncover the truth behind his death. Navigating a bureaucratic spirit world, Maali seeks to expose the atrocities of the civil war through his hidden photographs. Karunatilaka blends satire, fantasy, and political commentary to explore themes of justice, memory, and the complexities of a nation in turmoil.
Milkman
by Anna Burns
Set in an unnamed city during a time of political unrest, Milkman follows an 18-year-old woman who becomes the subject of rumors after being pursued by a powerful older man. Through her perspective, the novel explores themes of oppression, conformity, and the impact of societal scrutiny. Burns' distinctive narrative style immerses readers in the protagonist's internal struggles and the pervasive tension of her environment.
Americanah
Americanah follows Ifemelu and Obinze, two Nigerians whose lives diverge as they emigrate—she to the United States, he to the UK. Through Ifemelu’s journey, Adichie explores themes of race, identity, immigration, and the complexities of love across continents. The novel offers incisive commentary on the experience of Blackness in America and Britain, while remaining rooted in the characters’ emotional truths. Thought-provoking and deeply human, Americanah is a sweeping yet intimate portrait of the modern global diaspora and what it means to return “home.
Animal Farm
Animal Farm is a satirical fable by George Orwell, where farm animals overthrow their human owner, seeking equality. But as a new leadership rises, the ideals of their revolution are corrupted, revealing a powerful allegory about power and betrayal.
Red Mars
Series: Mars Trilogy (#1)
Kim Stanley Robinson's 'Red Mars' is a riveting science fiction novel set in the near future where humanity colonizes Mars. The story follows a group of scientists and colonists as they confront the challenges of terraforming the planet while navigating political intrigue and personal conflicts. Through vivid descriptions and intricate world-building, Robinson explores themes of environmentalism, human nature, and the ethics of space exploration. The book expertly blends hard science with compelling characters, creating a thought-provoking narrative that raises questions about our future both on Earth and beyond. 'Red Mars' is a must-read for fans of complex sci-fi epics.
Utopia
by Thomas More
Utopia is Thomas More's work of philosophical fiction, imagining the island of the title, on which thousands live in peace and harmony. Through dialogue and correspondence between Raphael Hythloday and his friends and contemporaries, More explores the theories behind war, political disagreements, social quarrels and wealth distribution, and goes into the day to day lives of those citizens enjoying freedom from fear, oppression, violence and suffering. This vision of an ideal world is also a scathing satire of Europe in the sixteenth century which has been hugely influential since publication, shaping utopian fiction even to the present day.
The Sellout
by Paul Beatty
The Sellout is a sharp and satirical novel that tackles race, identity, and American society with biting wit. When the fictional agrarian town of Dickens, California, is erased from the map, its black protagonist attempts to reinstate segregation and slavery to put it back on the map, forcing a provocative and uncomfortable examination of history and contemporary issues.
Waiting for the Barbarians
by J.M. Coetzee
In a nameless empire, a magistrate begins to question his complicity in the brutal treatment of “barbarians” as the regime prepares for war. As he empathizes with the so-called enemy, his loyalties shift, leading to personal ruin and moral awakening. Waiting for the Barbarians is a powerful allegory of colonialism, justice, and the psychological toll of dehumanization, written in Coetzee’s spare, haunting prose.
Prophet Song
by Paul Lynch
Paul Lynch's Prophet Song presents a dystopian vision of Ireland descending into authoritarianism. The story follows Eilish Stack, a mother and scientist, as she navigates a society unraveling under oppressive rule. As civil liberties erode and violence escalates, Eilish faces harrowing choices to protect her family. Lynch's narrative is a haunting exploration of resistance, sacrifice, and the human cost of political turmoil. Through Eilish's eyes, the novel examines the fragility of democracy and the enduring strength of maternal love amidst chaos.
A Breif History of Seven Killings
by Marlon James
A Brief History of Seven Killings is a sprawling and ambitious novel centered around the attempted assassination of Bob Marley in 1976. Through a chorus of diverse voices, the book delves into Jamaican history, politics, gang violence, and the cultural impact of reggae music, creating a vivid and complex tapestry of a turbulent era.