The War of the Worlds: (Dystopian Classics)

Though highly debated as to whether War of the Worlds is a true dystopian novel, several scholars agree that this classic science fiction novel by Wells makes the cut for the genre based upon its presentation of a worst-case scenario for a less than idyllic society. In the story Wells draws upon a common fear of that modern-day society. It was known at the time as the fin de siècle or the 'end of the age' that anticipated an apocalypse at that the dawn of the new century. In fact in 1938 Orson Welles caused a nationwide panic with his broadcast of “War of the Worlds” - a realistic radio dramatization of Well’s Martian invasion of Earth. Dystopian Classic Editions publishes works of dystopian and utopian literature that have survived through the generations and been recognized as classics. A dystopian society is an imagined society in which the people are oppressed, however the government propagandizes the society as being a utopia or a perfect society. Typical themes in dystopian literature include public mistrust, police states, and overall unpleasantness for the citizens. Authors of dystopian works strive to present a worst-case scenario and negative depiction of the way things are in the story so as to make a criticism about a current situation in society and to call for a change. Each Dystopian Classic Edition selected for publication presents such a story.