Dystopia is really the opposite of Utopia, which was the title of a book by Sir Thomas Moore published in 1516 (we recommend reading this classic if you you haven't already - electronic versions are free ). Utopias are perfect socities with often a sense of the impractical. Dystopias, unfortunately, seem, at times, to function too well but are nightmarish.

Many novels feature dystopias and and these terrible worlds appear more popular than ever. Here is our pick of the ones we like.