A recent New York Times article notes that many classic dystopian novels are rising to the top of sales lists again. At the time of this writing, for instance, George Orwell's 1984 is at the top of the Amazon Best Sellers list. The NYT article posits several reasons why: perhaps the phrase "alternative facts" recalls the Ministry of Truth in 1984, or perhaps "sometimes, it’s nice to be reminded that things could be worse."

Many of the works mentioned in the article are available right here through the Lloyd Sealy Library. If you're in the mood for a dystopian novel, take your pick from the ones below.

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood (1985).
Stacks PR9199.3 .A8 H3 1998. Description.

1984 by George Orwell (1949).
Stacks PR6029 .R8 N647 2009 and in Browsing Collection. Description.

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley (1932).
Stacks PR 6015 .U9 B65 1963 and in Browsing Collection. Description.

It Can't Happen Here by Sinclair Lewis (1935).
Stacks PS3523.E94 I8. New Yorker article.

Super Sad True Love Story by Gary Shteyngart (2010).
Request from another CUNY. Description.

Animal Farm by George Orwell (1945).
Stacks PR 6029 .R8 A5 1982. Description.


Not sure how to find a book by its call number? See our guide.

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January 31, 2017