“Perhaps one did not want to be loved so much as to be understood.”
It’s no secret that politics across the world is more partisan and passionate than ever before. Wherever you fall on the spectrum, political fiction has become one of the most popular ways for writers to share their own views or commentaries on society. The best political fiction books have the power to empower others in their beliefs, inspire dramatic calls to action and place the spotlight firmly on the issues and causes that matter the most to them. History is filled with works of political fiction that have done all of these; so, if you’ve got an interest in politics and looking to write the next great classic, join us at What We Reading as we run you through everything you need to know about how to write political fiction books!
What Is Political Fiction?
In the literary world, political fiction is a genre of books that uses its story to commentate on political theories and systems. Political fiction books can take place in the past, present or future and deal with contemporary events and issues, or alternative ones. Political intrigue books can be humourous or deeply serious and usually come with an underlying message that readers can understand.
5 Examples Of Political Fiction Books
The most effective types of political intrigue stories are the ones whose messages are as relevant today as they were when they were first published. An effective piece of political fiction is timeless in its commentary. Institutional and cultural oppression, wars and conflict and the use of technology by governments and organisations are all some of the most common themes in political fiction.
Soem of the most iconic novels from across the twentieth century feature prominent political themes, many of which are still relevant to this day. Some of the best examples of political fiction books include:
1984 – George Orwell
1984 is a dystopian novel that explores themes of totalitarianism, surveillance and government control. Through the Party and Big Brother’s total control over the populace, George Orwell criticises oppressive regimes and how they rob individual freedoms.
Check Out The Best Books Like 1984
All The King’s Men – Robert Penn Warren
All the King’s Men tells the story of Willie Stark, a charismatic and ruthless politician who rises to power in the American South. Author Robert Penn Warren delves into the complexities of political power, corruption and moral compromise, commenting on the nature of power and the impact politics has on people.
Fahrenheit 451 – Ray Bradbury
Still one of the most famous political fiction novels, Ray Bradbury introduces a dystopian world plagued by both an overload of information and a severe case of censorship. In Fahrenheit 451, Bradbury comments on the dangers of what happens when a government has control over what people can know and learn.
Check Out The Best Books Like Fahrenheit 451
The Handmaid’s Tale – Margaret Atwood
Set in the Republic of Gilead, Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale establishes a patriarchal society where women are solely used for reproductive practices. The Handmaid’s Tale is a political fiction book that explores gender oppression and the dangers of when extreme politics and religion intersect.
A Clockwork Orange – Anthony Burgess
Anthony Burgess’ A Clockwork Orange follows the story of Alex, a violent teenager in a dystopian society who is subjected to state-sponsored psychological conditioning to curb his criminal behaviour. Burgess uses A Clockwork Orange to comment on rehabilitation, free will, state control and the ethics of punishment, as well as raising questions on the role of science and the state in regulating individual behaviour.
Tips For Writing Political Fiction
Stories about politics and intrigue can come in numerous forms. However, for those looking to combine their passion for politics with writing, here are some of our top tips for writing political fiction:
1. Read More Political Fiction
Before you begin writing a political fiction book, it’s a good idea to brush up on what the bestsellers have done before. We’ve given you some examples of political intrigue novels above, and reading up on political fiction will help give you a better idea of how to weave issues and commentaries into a story and structure. Pay attention to how authors like Bradbury and Orwell use high stakes, circumstances and perspectives to mould their characters.
2. Worldbuilding Is Key
Before starting to develop your story, focus on the world it is set in. How do the people in your story live? What are the primary issues they face? Are there too many oppressive political systems, or not enough? Even if it isn’t all addressed in the text, having a good idea of your world and the finer points of how it operates will make your story more believable.
3. How Does Politics Impact Your Narrative
A lighthearted piece of fantasy may use political commentaries to build on its satire. An ominous dystopian story might need to make use of political theories and systems for the story to function. Take some time to think about how politics and your narrative go together.
4. Push Past The Politics
This may sound counterintuitive, but bear with us. Whilst every political fiction novel has a key message or theme, the stories are about more than just these. Often, the narrative is about how individuals are able to survive and succeed, even when faced with incredible odds and hardships. Watering this down with extensive legal jargon and the ins and outs of legislation, whilst accurate to actual politics, is only going to make your story less interesting.
Focus on your character arcs, and weave emotional conflicts alongside the surface-level issues of the world to ensure your narrative is compelling and multi-dimensional.
5. Be Subtle
Reading is often a means of escaping from the world. Being too on-the-nose about real issues in the world today is therefore not something we would recommend. Instead, make the events and characters in your story as unique from what’s on the news now as possible. Not only will this make your story unique, but it will also allow it to stay relevant in the long run, regardless of what’s going on in the news cycle.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
