Books similar to The Power: gender empowering dystopian novels

In another book to screen adaptation this year, Naomi Alderman’s The Power has made its way to Amazon Prime, hence we look at similar books with a female front. Alderman’s book is a speculative fiction novel that imagines a world where women develop the power to emit electric shocks, which upends traditional gender power dynamics. For this purpose, the book explores themes of gender, power, politics, religion, and human nature. While the TV version features the likes of stars Toni Colette (Hereditary) and John Leguizamo (Romeo and Juliet).

Here are some books similar to The Power:

Hence if you enjoyed reading Alderman’s book and are looking for books that explore the themes of gender, power, and society, here are some recommendations:

• The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. This classic dystopian novel depicts a future where women are stripped of their rights. As a result, they are used solely for reproductive purposes. It examines the dynamics of power, oppression, and resistance.
• The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. This popular YA novel series is set in a dystopian future where the government holds an annual event where young people are forced to fight to the death for the amusement of the masses. Consequently it explores themes of power, rebellion, and survival.
• Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler. This science fiction novel is set in a near-future. Climate change and societal collapse have led to a breakdown of law and order. Hence it follows the journey of a young woman who develops her own religion and community in an effort to survive and thrive.
• The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin. This urban fantasy novel is set in New York City. imagines what would happen if the city were a living entity that could manifest itself in human form. For this reason, it explores themes of power, identity, and community.
• The Water Cure by Sophie Mackintosh. This novel is set on an isolated island where three sisters are raised by their parents to be completely self-sufficient and to believe that men are dangerous. Therefore, when men arrive on the island, their beliefs and power structures are challenged.
• Vox by Christina Dalcher. This dystopian novel is set in a future where women are limited to speaking only 100 words a day. It explores themes of power, oppression, and resistance.
• Herland by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. Whether you consider this the same genre or not, this is a feminist utopian novel, imagines a society of women without men. It explores gender, culture, and motherhood.

In conclusion, all of these books offer interesting and thought-provoking explorations of power, gender, and society. They are great alternatives for readers who enjoyed The Power. If you enjoyed this, then remember to check out the books for International Women’s Day books by authors of colour.