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Genre Guide

Adventure Fiction - Dystopian - Christchurch City Libraries

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ChristchurchLib

Christchurch City Libraries Ngā Kete Wānanga o Ōtautahi

Staff-created list

What says "adventure" more than the fight for survival after a ruinous worldwide cataclysm? Danger at every turn, threats from nature and the remnants of humanity, and the battle within your own mind trying to make sense of a new world. But it's the unknown threats that make for the best thrills and surprises. In this list you'll find ruined worlds, humans barely clinging to humanity, and through it all a character with the will to thrive in this new hostile landscape. A Christchurch City Libraries list.

By:

ChristchurchLib

Christchurch City Libraries Ngā Kete Wānanga o Ōtautahi

19 items

19 items

The Children of Men

The Children of Men

by James, P. D. 1920-2014

Book - 1992

A bleak and menacing look at the collapse of society in the face of imminent extinction. Fertility among humans has failed, and the last person to be born...Show more A bleak and menacing look at the collapse of society in the face of imminent extinction. Fertility among humans has failed, and the last person to be born on Earth has just been killed in a bar fight in Buenos Aires aged 25 years, 2 months, 12 days. The old are terrified and the young are dangerous, but amidst it all a miracle occurs and the few who still fight for the survival of their race must ensure protection for those involved. A great story from a brilliant writer, this is classic dystopian fiction. For more like this, try ‘Greybeard’ by Brian Aldiss. Show less

A bleak and menacing look at the collapse of society in the face of imminent extinction. Fertility among humans has failed, and the last person to be born...Show more A bleak and menacing look at the collapse of society in the face of imminent extinction. Fertility among humans has failed, and the last person to be born on Earth has just been killed in a bar fight in Buenos Aires aged 25 years, 2 months, 12 days. The old are terrified and the young are dangerous, but amidst it all a miracle occurs and the few who still fight for the survival of their race must ensure protection for those involved. A great story from a brilliant writer, this is classic dystopian fiction. For more like this, try ‘Greybeard’ by Brian Aldiss. Show less

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Wool

Wool

by Howey, Hugh, 1975-

Book - 2013

This book has a brilliant beginning and will keep you up late, turning pages and wanting more! The surface of Earth is now unliveable. Luckily a large org...Show more This book has a brilliant beginning and will keep you up late, turning pages and wanting more! The surface of Earth is now unliveable. Luckily a large organisation foresaw this disaster and built a silo to house those lucky enough to be selected. Generations later we meet the inhabitants and journey with them as they fight for survival and try to understand what, if anything, is left of Earth. Totally absorbing, superb apocalyptic dystopian fiction, and the first in the 'Silo' series. Show less

This book has a brilliant beginning and will keep you up late, turning pages and wanting more! The surface of Earth is now unliveable. Luckily a large org...Show more This book has a brilliant beginning and will keep you up late, turning pages and wanting more! The surface of Earth is now unliveable. Luckily a large organisation foresaw this disaster and built a silo to house those lucky enough to be selected. Generations later we meet the inhabitants and journey with them as they fight for survival and try to understand what, if anything, is left of Earth. Totally absorbing, superb apocalyptic dystopian fiction, and the first in the 'Silo' series. Show less

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Oryx and Crake

Oryx and Crake

by Atwood, Margaret, 1939-

Book - 2003

A masterpiece of apocalyptic romance from one of the best authors of our time. Jimmie is lost in the new world, a world created by destruction and human t...Show more A masterpiece of apocalyptic romance from one of the best authors of our time. Jimmie is lost in the new world, a world created by destruction and human tampering with genetics. What he misses most is his best friend Crake, and the one they both loved, Oryx. So he sets off on an adventurous journey through a wilderness that was very recently civilisation. Atwood's dark wit and biting humour shine through in this story that is at once beautiful and horrendous. A modern classic and a great dystopian adventure. The first book in the trilogy. Show less

A masterpiece of apocalyptic romance from one of the best authors of our time. Jimmie is lost in the new world, a world created by destruction and human t...Show more A masterpiece of apocalyptic romance from one of the best authors of our time. Jimmie is lost in the new world, a world created by destruction and human tampering with genetics. What he misses most is his best friend Crake, and the one they both loved, Oryx. So he sets off on an adventurous journey through a wilderness that was very recently civilisation. Atwood's dark wit and biting humour shine through in this story that is at once beautiful and horrendous. A modern classic and a great dystopian adventure. The first book in the trilogy. Show less

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The Dead Lands

The Dead Lands

by Percy, Benjamin, 1979-

Book - 2015

A dystopian road-trip adventure full of action and suspense. In a land destroyed by radioactive fallout, a group of survivors huddle in what was formerly ...Show more A dystopian road-trip adventure full of action and suspense. In a land destroyed by radioactive fallout, a group of survivors huddle in what was formerly St. Louis. When a strange woman arrives seeking the help of the resident museum curator, the tyrannical mayor wants her dead. Amidst the hostility they embark on a ‘Lewis & Clark’ style journey to Oregon where the woman claims there are fertile lands and ready water. But the road is long and fraught with terrors, both natural and very, very unnatural. Show less

A dystopian road-trip adventure full of action and suspense. In a land destroyed by radioactive fallout, a group of survivors huddle in what was formerly ...Show more A dystopian road-trip adventure full of action and suspense. In a land destroyed by radioactive fallout, a group of survivors huddle in what was formerly St. Louis. When a strange woman arrives seeking the help of the resident museum curator, the tyrannical mayor wants her dead. Amidst the hostility they embark on a ‘Lewis & Clark’ style journey to Oregon where the woman claims there are fertile lands and ready water. But the road is long and fraught with terrors, both natural and very, very unnatural. Show less

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Station Eleven

Station Eleven

by Mandel, Emily St. John, 1979-

Book - 2022

‘Station Eleven’ is a story of survival, recovery and connections. In an apocalyptic world a travelling band of Shakespearean actors move from camp to cam...Show more ‘Station Eleven’ is a story of survival, recovery and connections. In an apocalyptic world a travelling band of Shakespearean actors move from camp to camp to bring light to the dark times for the remaining few. When a dangerous figure emerges as a self-proclaimed prophet, the fates of five disparate characters will be forever changed. A very engaging read with solid characters and plot, culminating in a dramatic interconnected event. Show less

‘Station Eleven’ is a story of survival, recovery and connections. In an apocalyptic world a travelling band of Shakespearean actors move from camp to cam...Show more ‘Station Eleven’ is a story of survival, recovery and connections. In an apocalyptic world a travelling band of Shakespearean actors move from camp to camp to bring light to the dark times for the remaining few. When a dangerous figure emerges as a self-proclaimed prophet, the fates of five disparate characters will be forever changed. A very engaging read with solid characters and plot, culminating in a dramatic interconnected event. Show less

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The Road

The Road

by McCarthy, Cormac, 1933-

Book - 2006

Could this be the best dystopian story ever written? A man and his son travel the wastelands of America, trying to stay alive, up against the worst of man...Show more Could this be the best dystopian story ever written? A man and his son travel the wastelands of America, trying to stay alive, up against the worst of mankind. It's warm and human at times, and at other times truly and terrifyingly believable. The best and worst of humanity presented in raw and uncompromising prose. Already a classic. Show less

Could this be the best dystopian story ever written? A man and his son travel the wastelands of America, trying to stay alive, up against the worst of man...Show more Could this be the best dystopian story ever written? A man and his son travel the wastelands of America, trying to stay alive, up against the worst of mankind. It's warm and human at times, and at other times truly and terrifyingly believable. The best and worst of humanity presented in raw and uncompromising prose. Already a classic. Show less

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Galapagos

Galapagos

by Vonnegut, Kurt, 1922-2007

Book - 1985

Kurt Vonnegut is known for his tongue in cheek writing style and his literary observations. This very witty and insightful novel is a classic of the dysto...Show more Kurt Vonnegut is known for his tongue in cheek writing style and his literary observations. This very witty and insightful novel is a classic of the dystopian genre. ‘Galapagos’ is a thought-provoking story of evolution which follows a small group of humans who become stranded as the world ends. Over a couple of generations, we see them evolve into a new type of being, changing the human race forever. Show less

Kurt Vonnegut is known for his tongue in cheek writing style and his literary observations. This very witty and insightful novel is a classic of the dysto...Show more Kurt Vonnegut is known for his tongue in cheek writing style and his literary observations. This very witty and insightful novel is a classic of the dystopian genre. ‘Galapagos’ is a thought-provoking story of evolution which follows a small group of humans who become stranded as the world ends. Over a couple of generations, we see them evolve into a new type of being, changing the human race forever. Show less

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Euphoria

Euphoria

by Helle, Heinz, 1978-

Book - 2017

A small group of Austrian friends meet for their annual get together in a log cabin in the woods - to drink, fish, hunt, and talk. While they're there the...Show more A small group of Austrian friends meet for their annual get together in a log cabin in the woods - to drink, fish, hunt, and talk. While they're there the world undergoes a sudden catastrophic change and they are forced into the wilderness and a fight for survival. As the characters' stories are played out, we see both the dark and light sides of humanity, all described expertly by a talented author. Show less

A small group of Austrian friends meet for their annual get together in a log cabin in the woods - to drink, fish, hunt, and talk. While they're there the...Show more A small group of Austrian friends meet for their annual get together in a log cabin in the woods - to drink, fish, hunt, and talk. While they're there the world undergoes a sudden catastrophic change and they are forced into the wilderness and a fight for survival. As the characters' stories are played out, we see both the dark and light sides of humanity, all described expertly by a talented author. Show less

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The Handmaid's Tale

The Handmaid's Tale

by Atwood, Margaret, 1939-

Book - 1986

Fuelled by the wildly popular TV series of the same name and by political moves renewing attempts to control women's bodies and reproductive rights, 'The ...Show more Fuelled by the wildly popular TV series of the same name and by political moves renewing attempts to control women's bodies and reproductive rights, 'The Handmaid's Tale' has again come to the fore of the collective consciousness as a dark, dystopian portent. Narrated by Offred, readers are introduced to a fundamentalist Christian totalitarian regime in which women are controlled by men, divided into roles and castes, and 'Handmaids' suffer repeated rape by 'Commanders', and are valued only for their reproductive potential. A work that continues to resonate strongly as a cautionary tale, over thirty years on from its original publication. The story continues in sequel 'The Testaments.' Show less

Fuelled by the wildly popular TV series of the same name and by political moves renewing attempts to control women's bodies and reproductive rights, 'The ...Show more Fuelled by the wildly popular TV series of the same name and by political moves renewing attempts to control women's bodies and reproductive rights, 'The Handmaid's Tale' has again come to the fore of the collective consciousness as a dark, dystopian portent. Narrated by Offred, readers are introduced to a fundamentalist Christian totalitarian regime in which women are controlled by men, divided into roles and castes, and 'Handmaids' suffer repeated rape by 'Commanders', and are valued only for their reproductive potential. A work that continues to resonate strongly as a cautionary tale, over thirty years on from its original publication. The story continues in sequel 'The Testaments.' Show less

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The Man in the High Castle

The Man in the High Castle

by Dick, Philip K., 1928-1982

Book - 1975

Set in an alternative history in which the Nazis won the Second World War, and featuring a main character who is writing an alternative history in which t...Show more Set in an alternative history in which the Nazis won the Second World War, and featuring a main character who is writing an alternative history in which the Allies won, this makes for a fascinating read. Densely and cleverly plotted, the ideas and themes in this novel are well thought out and carefully crafted. Also a TV series. Show less

Set in an alternative history in which the Nazis won the Second World War, and featuring a main character who is writing an alternative history in which t...Show more Set in an alternative history in which the Nazis won the Second World War, and featuring a main character who is writing an alternative history in which the Allies won, this makes for a fascinating read. Densely and cleverly plotted, the ideas and themes in this novel are well thought out and carefully crafted. Also a TV series. Show less

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The Lathe of Heaven

The Lathe of Heaven

by Le Guin, Ursula K., 1929-2018

Book - 1979

This is a classic dystopian adventure from one of the genre’s best authors. George is a man who is at odds with the world. Too many people, too little spa...Show more This is a classic dystopian adventure from one of the genre’s best authors. George is a man who is at odds with the world. Too many people, too little space, not enough food to go around, it all builds up and George feels the pressure intensely. Especially with the discovery of his "gift" - whatever he dreams becomes realised, but with this gift comes terrible power. George has no control over what he dreams beyond what his subconscious dictates. George's doctor is at first a non-believer, but as his understanding grows, so does his ambition, throwing George into peril. Show less

This is a classic dystopian adventure from one of the genre’s best authors. George is a man who is at odds with the world. Too many people, too little spa...Show more This is a classic dystopian adventure from one of the genre’s best authors. George is a man who is at odds with the world. Too many people, too little space, not enough food to go around, it all builds up and George feels the pressure intensely. Especially with the discovery of his "gift" - whatever he dreams becomes realised, but with this gift comes terrible power. George has no control over what he dreams beyond what his subconscious dictates. George's doctor is at first a non-believer, but as his understanding grows, so does his ambition, throwing George into peril. Show less

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Brave New World

Brave New World

by Huxley, Aldous, 1894-1963

Book - 1970

Part adventure, part warning, this futuristic, thoughtful masterpiece is the ultimate read for all lovers of dystopian fiction, and remains as fresh and ...Show more Part adventure, part warning, this futuristic, thoughtful masterpiece is the ultimate read for all lovers of dystopian fiction, and remains as fresh and fascinating as it was when it was first written over 80 years ago. Bernard Marx lives in a world where babies are made in laboratories and split into five categories, ranging from labourers to world leaders. But despite severe brainwashing, something tells Bernard that there may be more to life than the robotic drudge of everyday existence. Show less

Part adventure, part warning, this futuristic, thoughtful masterpiece is the ultimate read for all lovers of dystopian fiction, and remains as fresh and ...Show more Part adventure, part warning, this futuristic, thoughtful masterpiece is the ultimate read for all lovers of dystopian fiction, and remains as fresh and fascinating as it was when it was first written over 80 years ago. Bernard Marx lives in a world where babies are made in laboratories and split into five categories, ranging from labourers to world leaders. But despite severe brainwashing, something tells Bernard that there may be more to life than the robotic drudge of everyday existence. Show less

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A Canticle for Leibowitz

A Canticle for Leibowitz

by Miller, Walter M., 1923-1996

Book - 1960

A classic dystopian read full of all the themes and tropes you would expect: the struggle for survival, search for meaning, and re-establishing societal s...Show more A classic dystopian read full of all the themes and tropes you would expect: the struggle for survival, search for meaning, and re-establishing societal structures. The world is ruined and years after the events that led to its destruction a group of monks collect old technologies and horde them, dedicating their lives to the writings of Saint Isaac Leibowitz. This is a bleak and unforgiving tale of a race doomed to repeat its mistakes. Show less

A classic dystopian read full of all the themes and tropes you would expect: the struggle for survival, search for meaning, and re-establishing societal s...Show more A classic dystopian read full of all the themes and tropes you would expect: the struggle for survival, search for meaning, and re-establishing societal structures. The world is ruined and years after the events that led to its destruction a group of monks collect old technologies and horde them, dedicating their lives to the writings of Saint Isaac Leibowitz. This is a bleak and unforgiving tale of a race doomed to repeat its mistakes. Show less

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Nineteen Eighty-four

Nineteen Eighty-four

A Novel

by Orwell, George, pseud., 1903-1950

Book - 1949

Possibly the most famous of all dystopian stories, ‘Nineteen Eighty-four’ follows a man trapped in a nightmarish political regime that may be more relevan...Show more Possibly the most famous of all dystopian stories, ‘Nineteen Eighty-four’ follows a man trapped in a nightmarish political regime that may be more relevant than ever in our current times. It’s a bleak, character driven tale of an oppressive government and those caught up in its system. A true classic for all fans of dystopia. Show less

Possibly the most famous of all dystopian stories, ‘Nineteen Eighty-four’ follows a man trapped in a nightmarish political regime that may be more relevan...Show more Possibly the most famous of all dystopian stories, ‘Nineteen Eighty-four’ follows a man trapped in a nightmarish political regime that may be more relevant than ever in our current times. It’s a bleak, character driven tale of an oppressive government and those caught up in its system. A true classic for all fans of dystopia. Show less

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The Last

The Last

by Jameson, Hanna

Book - 2019

Nuclear warfare, an apocalyptic setting, and a locked room murder mystery - does this book have it all? Global nuclear war has broken out, and a group of ...Show more Nuclear warfare, an apocalyptic setting, and a locked room murder mystery - does this book have it all? Global nuclear war has broken out, and a group of twenty survivors set up camp in a Swiss hotel. But soon enough, disturbing discoveries (of a cadaverous kind) are made. Written in the style of journal entries of one of the key protagonists as he struggles to decide between the twin dangers of life both inside and outside the hotel. A tense, character-driven dystopian mystery. Show less

Nuclear warfare, an apocalyptic setting, and a locked room murder mystery - does this book have it all? Global nuclear war has broken out, and a group of ...Show more Nuclear warfare, an apocalyptic setting, and a locked room murder mystery - does this book have it all? Global nuclear war has broken out, and a group of twenty survivors set up camp in a Swiss hotel. But soon enough, disturbing discoveries (of a cadaverous kind) are made. Written in the style of journal entries of one of the key protagonists as he struggles to decide between the twin dangers of life both inside and outside the hotel. A tense, character-driven dystopian mystery. Show less

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The Fireman

The Fireman

A Novel

by Hill, Joe, pseud., 1972-

Book - 2016

A deadly virus is causing cities to burn in this fast-paced, imaginative take on dystopian adventure. Our band of unlikely heroes is led by Harper, a preg...Show more A deadly virus is causing cities to burn in this fast-paced, imaginative take on dystopian adventure. Our band of unlikely heroes is led by Harper, a pregnant nurse who will do anything to survive, and the mysterious ‘Fireman’ who seems to be able to harness fire. At over 700 pages, ‘The Fireman’ is a long novel, but one that will keep you on the edge of your seat as you read into the small hours. Show less

A deadly virus is causing cities to burn in this fast-paced, imaginative take on dystopian adventure. Our band of unlikely heroes is led by Harper, a preg...Show more A deadly virus is causing cities to burn in this fast-paced, imaginative take on dystopian adventure. Our band of unlikely heroes is led by Harper, a pregnant nurse who will do anything to survive, and the mysterious ‘Fireman’ who seems to be able to harness fire. At over 700 pages, ‘The Fireman’ is a long novel, but one that will keep you on the edge of your seat as you read into the small hours. Show less

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The Farm

The Farm

A Novel

by Ramos, Joanne

Book - 2019

Pregnant women are offered huge amounts of money to live in glamourous resort-style ‘Golden Oaks’ as surrogate hosts for wealthy but time-poor families. B...Show more Pregnant women are offered huge amounts of money to live in glamourous resort-style ‘Golden Oaks’ as surrogate hosts for wealthy but time-poor families. But when a trio of surrogates discover that something’s not quite right with the centre, they decide to work together to investigate. With similar themes to the ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’, this suspenseful reproductive dystopia looks at the commodification of fertility, while exploring the class and race divides of a future world. Show less

Pregnant women are offered huge amounts of money to live in glamourous resort-style ‘Golden Oaks’ as surrogate hosts for wealthy but time-poor families. B...Show more Pregnant women are offered huge amounts of money to live in glamourous resort-style ‘Golden Oaks’ as surrogate hosts for wealthy but time-poor families. But when a trio of surrogates discover that something’s not quite right with the centre, they decide to work together to investigate. With similar themes to the ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’, this suspenseful reproductive dystopia looks at the commodification of fertility, while exploring the class and race divides of a future world. Show less

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Blind Faith

Blind Faith

by Elton, Ben, 1959-

Book - 2007

Blind Faith conjures a place where every one knows exactly what everyone else is doing, and the slightest whisper of disrespect can cause an uprising of a...Show more Blind Faith conjures a place where every one knows exactly what everyone else is doing, and the slightest whisper of disrespect can cause an uprising of aggression towards you. A place where child mortality is at such a rate that the duty of every citizen is to produce more children. A place where the desire for privacy is seen as perversion and fiction a sin. Who would dare to go against the Temple? After all. 'Sharing. What's not to like?' Elton paints a picture of a world taken to the extreme, where people are forced to share their lives in detail on a public FaceSpace with his usual sense of the comic. Show less

Blind Faith conjures a place where every one knows exactly what everyone else is doing, and the slightest whisper of disrespect can cause an uprising of a...Show more Blind Faith conjures a place where every one knows exactly what everyone else is doing, and the slightest whisper of disrespect can cause an uprising of aggression towards you. A place where child mortality is at such a rate that the duty of every citizen is to produce more children. A place where the desire for privacy is seen as perversion and fiction a sin. Who would dare to go against the Temple? After all. 'Sharing. What's not to like?' Elton paints a picture of a world taken to the extreme, where people are forced to share their lives in detail on a public FaceSpace with his usual sense of the comic. Show less

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The Circle

The Circle

A Novel

by Eggers, Dave, 1970-

Book - 2013

The Circle is a giant tech company that has merged all platforms of social media into one space, a space that everyone can see into and that must be maint...Show more The Circle is a giant tech company that has merged all platforms of social media into one space, a space that everyone can see into and that must be maintained, lest it appear you are hiding experiences everyone has a right to share with you. This book is part mystery, part social commentary, part dystopian warning. A deeply disturbing story with a great pace and well-crafted characters. Show less

The Circle is a giant tech company that has merged all platforms of social media into one space, a space that everyone can see into and that must be maint...Show more The Circle is a giant tech company that has merged all platforms of social media into one space, a space that everyone can see into and that must be maintained, lest it appear you are hiding experiences everyone has a right to share with you. This book is part mystery, part social commentary, part dystopian warning. A deeply disturbing story with a great pace and well-crafted characters. Show less

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