bookgazing | Political Fiction

I recently mentioned to litlove that I’m craving fiction which is overtly political. She gave me some fabulous recommendations and well, that just made me greedy for more. What’s the use of a blog if I can’t tap people up for suggestions?

Does anyone else know of good fiction that actively grapples with politics? I know that the personal is always political, but I’m specifically looking for fictional books or films that either incorporate some discussion of systems related to politics (protests, government, riots, elections, strikes, underground groups) or that engage in active discussion of big political subjects (gender inequality, class inequality, poverty, racial rights, the death penalty). Historical, contemporary and futuristic settings would be awesome! Films, books, tv, music, theatre can all be added to the list, as long as they’re fiction (I have a terrible attention span for non-fic). Classics are great too.

If anyone is about to suggest I read China Meiville's books, I already have him covered *insert creepy, inappropriate wink*.

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Politics of pre-Nazi Germany - a subject that I studied is covered rather well by Christopher Isherwood's Goodbye to Berlin and the more autobiographical The Past is myself by Christabel Bielenberg

Verity

I've never heard of the second one, which is great, I love finding out about new books. The Isherwood is the one Cabaret is based on if I remember right. Dying to see that musical, so I expect the book would be really interesting too.

Cory Doctorw, Cory Doctrow, Cory Doctrow! You so need to read both Little Brother and For The Win.

Also, there's this book called The Ask and the Answer by one certain Mr Ness that is pretty overtly political, much more so than its prequel... just saying :P

Seconded! It took me over a year to get to it, but it is so much more interesting and thought provoking.

Otherwise I got nothing. :/

Haha, ok, ok, I get it - read the second book soon. I hear you, ladies :D I am going to move it out of the box it is hiding in so I remember to read it soon. I look forward to more creepy Mayor. I have to finish the trilogy before the film appears for definite.

Oh good suggestion! I read Little Brother, but I still have For the Win to go. That would be a fab book to read quite soon actually.

Anything by Christopher Buckley--Boomsday is my favorite--but the politics are very American, even in Florence of Arabia.
non-necromancer

Thanks, I've never heard of that author - off to investigate.

Was longing to see what other people would suggest! I've heard of a couple of the authors, but none of the books. Oh apart from the Isherwood. I will be very interested to read your reviews!

And that's from Litlove, btw. Duh, must tick boxes.

Thanks for you inital help - very excited to scour the library soon and see what I can find from your recs. You might also be interested to know I got a Han Fallada book from the library called 'Alone in Berlin' which sounds very politically focused (death of a son inspires dangerous rebellion against the Nazis).

As I'm thinking about your question, it occurs to me that mysteries and thrillers are often overtly political. I just read Gorky Park by Martin Cruz Smith, which is about Soviet Russia, and also Little Scarlet by Walter Mosley, which is about the LA Watts riots. Also, Dennis Lehane, The Given Day, which has a lot about labor fights and unions.

Rebecca H.

For some reason I didn't see the DW notification for this comment. Thansk so much for your suggestions. I agree thrillers are often very political (reading a great SF one right now which is really strong on challenging the system, power of free speech etc). Adding all your suggestions to my list.

Edited 2012-06-15 08:48 (UTC)

I like your broad defintion of political. It opens the door to some many good books that I hardly know were to start, but here are a couple of books that you might enjoy.
Piercy, City of Darkness, City of Light. [French Revolution]
Tax, The Rising of the Women. [US labor movement]
Adichie, Half a Yellow Sun [Biafra's rebellion agt Nigeria]

Let me know if you'd like some more suggestions.

i found your blog from your comment to my comment at Litlov which I liked. I am trying to get set up to follow your blog. We'll see if I succeeded.

I have tried the Adiche, but am currently unable to get past a certain point because something about it is too harrowing. So I've put that away for later. But your other suggestions go on my list. Thanks so much :)

Thanks for coming by from litlove's place. If you're using an RSS feeder like Google Reader you can just copy my blog's address (http://bookgazing.dreamwidth.org) and add it to your subscriptions. Otherwise I'm on Twitter (blinkingmouse) and I usually put up links to my posts, so feel free to request to follow me.

Against Nature by John Nelson is a pretty edgy political dystopia. It's about a plague that threatens to wipe out the world. In America, the sins of our recent past wash up on our shores and come back to haunt us... Such as torture, secret prisons, etc. in Pandemic America, a government no longer accountable to its people soon turns on them. It was a quick read with great characters.

This book involves Bertolt Brecht-- the controversial Berlin playwright of the thirties (and a "person of interest" to the Nazi Party) -- coming back to life in 2009. He sees current economic & political things that remind him of Germany's slide into fascism and is arrested at a protest. Available internationally on eBook. More info, here's the book's website: http://www.krankthebook.com/

A recent political novel is the satirical Olsen's Nation (A Story of Hope for Change) by Randy Quarles. He seemed to take stuff right out of the headlines, like Obamacare (called the Cheap and Accessible Care Act, or CACA, a white house healthy food mandate (no bacon), an Occupy Wal mart movement, a football player with an internet girlfriend named Kaluha and I won't give any more away. Anyhow, it's really funny book, but after you're through reading, it makes you think about how the current situation is and where we may be heading. The book is like Jon Stewart only with a more conservative or libertarian slant.

Hi!

My submittal request is for The Boétie Legacy, and a World in Peril, by Robert A. Kezer. Page count: 264 (5.25 X 8); word count: 75,356. Available in Ebook now, and print on or before 1 July 2015.

Blurb: Set in an old colonial city, Luke’s mission to expose the myths fueling perpetual war and to show people the way to a more compassionate world flounders until he becomes entangled in an unexpected romance. Will he open himself to Jo and find his way, or will he allow old fears to keep him from realizing his greatest desires and purpose in life?

Published 1 June 2015.

Genre: Political fiction set in a contemporary romance that takes place in Granada, Nicaragua.

At this point there are three reviews on Amazon (4.5 star).

An author interview, book club questions, and the legacy of Étienne de la Boétie are on my website (www.robertakezer) under the tab for The Boétie Legacy.

This is an Indy publication. A professional graphics artist was hired for the cover, and an editor and proofreader were hired for the manuscript. Ebook was uploaded from an original html document ensuring consistent formatting across all devices.

I can send an Epub, pdf, or Mobi file.

Thank you for your consideration, and please let me know if there is anything I can do (guest post/interview) to help facilitate the review.

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00X3ZWT0S
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25642828-the-bo-tie-legacy-and-a-world-in-peril
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Robert-A-Kezer/817665628305435
Website: www.robertakezer.com

Thank you,

Bob Kezer

Political Fiction

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Political fiction suggestions

Re: Political fiction suggestions

Political Fiction

KRANK -- Love in the New Dark Times

Government Bacon Ban & More

Review request: The Boétie Legacy, and a World in Peril