What's the Difference Between Dystopian and Post-Apocalyptic Literature?

My favorite sci-fi sub-genre is post-apocalyptic science fiction, with dystopian literature coming in a respectable but distant second.

Why?

Because I'm fascinated by the behavior of people when the thin veneer of civilization is stripped away, and all hope is lost. What remains is a true glimpse of humanity at its worst and best, and the question "what makes us human" leaps to the forefront of existence.

For the past several years, dystopian literature has been hot, especially with young adults. Many readers remain confused about the subtle difference between dystopian literature and post-apocalyptic literature. Allow me to explain my interpretation of the difference.

A dystopia is a society where societal perfection or societal transcendence is obtained at the expense of something else. That "something else" could be a devalued class of people, the loss of a fundamental freedom, or the surrender of some aspect of human nature. Literary dystopias often arise through a slow process of societal change, or more abruptly as the result of some cataclysm. In either case, the dystopia represents society in a stable state, albeit a state most of us find appalling in some manner.

Post-apocalyptic literature, on the other hand, focuses on the instability during and/or following a cataclysmic event that shatters society both in form and headcount. During the story, whatever society exists is typically small, isolated, and highly threatened. Often there is little or no hope for any meaningful future. Although it is true that post-apocalyptic events can lead to the formation of dystopian societies, it is the immediately endangered nature of the society that interests me as a reader.

For example, I picked up Hunger Games in an airport years ago before it became a global phenomenon, because it is exactly the type of story that grabs my attention. Hunger Games is a dystopian story because it describes a stable but imperfect society that has sacrificed morality and most of the population for the comfort of a few. However, as a lover of post-apocalyptic stories, I wanted to know "how." How did this society emerge? What happened to create such a place? The story offers few clues, other than hints of a war.

I preferred the very poetic Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan. The survivors of a zombie-plague apocalypse huddle together in a small community surrounded by a chain-link fence, unaware of other survivors. Pretty hopeless, right? Despite that hopelessness, a small band of teenagers venture into the unknown with a vague hope that there must be something better "out there."

So ... it may come as no surprise that I wrote a pair of post-apocalyptic novels. Write what you like; write what you know - right? My other stories are not of that sub-genre, but I suspect that I will revisit it later. My current PA novels are found at the link below.

The Shore of Monsters (1 and 2)

I'll leave you with this. The best example, in my opinion, of an utterly hopeless situation where survivors soldier on is the short story "A Pail of Air" by Fritz Leiber. It's available free on-line by the original publisher, Baen books. If your tastes mirror mine, then do yourself a favor and read it at the link below.

A Pail of Air by Fritz Leiber 

(Note - there is a short Preface, but the story starts at the line "Pa had sent me out to get an extra pail of air." Good opening line!)

What Should I Read Next? My Faves: Unwind

Unwind by Neil Shusterman

Mr. Shusterman is one of the most diverse authors of Young Adult literature, having written highly acclaimed novels in the humor, fantasy, science fiction, and horror genres. Unwind represents his bold foray into the dystopian genre, and he does not disappoint.

The novel takes place in an America a generation from now, but very recognizable in most ways. However, this America exists in the aftermath of a second civil war, which was fought to determine when life begins, and whether abortion of any kind is acceptable. A stalemate resulted in a horrific compromise where everybody lost. Abortions were disallowed, but a parent could remand any child under the age of 18 to the state for unwinding - a process where every part of the child's body is harvested and donated to those in need of a new organ, a new limb, or even new hair. The story follows a trio of 'unwinds' who escape the system and attempt to remain hidden until their respective 18th birthdays. Connor is a rebellious teen sent for unwinding by his parents because of his repeated trouble-making. Risa is an orphan whose talents are not sufficient to save her from unwinding. Most heart-breaking is Lev - a child raised from birth for the sole purpose of unwinding as an offering by his parents to God.

The fascination of Shusterman's story is not so much what happens to the teens on their journey toward freedom, but rather the presentation of a society that has become the ultimate paradox: one that saves unborn babies only to sacrifice them as teens; one that forces a child to become expendable so that others might live fuller and longer lives. When embarking upon the reading of this novel, I felt that the idea of such a society and such a terrible compromise was a bit far-fetched. I still do - perhaps I have too much faith in humanity. However, despite my feelings, I found myself genuinely aching for the characters as expendable members of society. More chillingly, I recognized the traits, thought processes, and behaviors of those defending and participating in the unwinding process - I have seen those traits and mindsets in people I know. Far-fetched or not, the novel demonstrated powerfully a weakness of human nature - our ability to rationalize evil behavior and accept it as status quo. Recent history shows that entire nations can adopt this mindset with terrible consequences, such as child slavery, female suppression, and genocide.

The most powerful scene of the novel is when the author takes us into the secret unwinding room, and follows the unwinding of a character we have come to know. Because the victim is forced to be awake for the entire procedure, the reader experiences the physical and emotional horror of unwinding through the thoughts and senses of the character. That scene alone sets this novel apart from any other I have read. I highly recommend this novel to anyone willing to face questions of deep moral ambiguity. I guarantee that you will think about this one long after reading the final page.

What Should I Read Next? My Faves: Incarceron

Incarceron by Catherine Fisher

Although a captive in Incarceron prison, Flinn adamantly believes that he is there by mistake. Incarceron is more than a prison: it is a structure so vast and timeless that millions of prisoners reside within its dark interior for generation upon generation. Unlike the others who have been residents since birth, Flinn has no memories of his past in prison, but in fact indistinct memories of another place.

Claudia is the daughter of the Warden of Incarceron, and heir to the privileges of that position. Despite her lofty status, she feels out of place and dissatisfied with the role she has been asked to accept, which includes an impending marriage to the despicable prince of the kingdom. Both Flinn and Claudia appear fated to their bleak futures until a mysterious pair of devices bring them into verbal contact. Together they work to escape their prisons, his physical and hers psychological, and unlock the mystery that is Incarceron.

Ms. Fisher creates an extraordinary world both inside and outside the prison, dripping with atmosphere and renaissance culture. He creates highly believable characters complete with flaws and virtues, and crafts genuine relationships amongst them. This terrific novel is part one of a continuing series, but is highly entertaining as a standalone work.

What Should I Read Next? My Faves: The Maze Runner

Maze Runner by James Dashner

Have you ever awakened in a strange place and lay wondering for a moment "Where am I" before remembering? What if you didn't remember where you were, or who you were, or anything about yourself other than your first name? This is the opening premise of "The Maze Runner", and the mystery only deepens from there.

Teenager Thomas finds himself in a glade surrounded by a massive maze, and in the company of dozens of other teenage boys who share the same memory loss. The boys work together to survive in the glade while searching for a way of escape without falling prey to the murderous Grievers. The arrival of a teenage girl signals a game change, forcing desperate decisions by Thomas and the others to escape before the Grievers take them all.

The book is constructed in the style of game-playing mysteries. The teens find themselves part of a diabolical game, and to survive they must determine both the rules and a way to win the game. Although the character relationships are a bit simplistic, the friendship between Thomas and the hapless Chuck is touching. Nevertheless, it is not the characters that drive the story, but rather the mystery and the inevitable action that follows.

What to Read After the End of the World

Hey, campers! We all survived the End-of-the-World, AKA The Mayan Apocalypse. That's good news, unless you gave all your stuff away or ran up your credit card debt.

Back to literature. You might have noticed that there are two types of apocalyptic novels: Apocalyptic, and Post-Apocalyptic. The first deals mostly with "How the world ends". The second deals mostly with "What people do to survive and rebuild after the world ends". Some are hybrids, dealing with both the end and the aftermath. Different readers may prefer one type over the other. In that vein, I've listed below my favorites by type.

You'll notice very few straight up end-of-the-world novels. Readers want hope, generally. But sometimes we love to wallow in the misery of a hopeless story. I recently watched the movie "Melancholia". Without spoiling it, the movie was utterly hopeless to the bitter end, so much so that it literally depressed me for a couple of days afterward. However, my main criteria for any "great" story is that it touches me deeply. In that sense, Melancholia was a great story.

End of the World:
- The Road by Cormac McCarthy
- I Am Legend by Richard Matheson
- On the Beach by Nevil Shute

After the End of the World:
- Shore of Monsters by David Nix (that's me)
- Blood Red by Moira Young
- City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau
- Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
- Eternity Road by Jack McDevitt
- A Gift Upon the Shore by M. K. Wren
- The Postman by David Brin
- Through Darkest America by Neal Barrett Jr.
- Z for Zechariah by Robert C. O'Brien
- Daybreak 2250 A.D. (Star Man's Son) by Andre Norton

End of the World and What Comes After:
- The Passage by Justin Cronin (reading this right now, in fact)
- Lucifer's Hammer by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle
- A Canticle for Liebowitz by Walter M. Miller (although this is harder to place; more like what comes after, and then the end of the world again)
- The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham
- The Death of Grass (No Blade of Grass) by John Christopher
- Earth Abides by George Stewart
- The Tripods by John Christopher
- Vault of Ages by Poul Anderson