American readers are snapping up dystopian novels in the wake of Donald Trump’s victory in the presidential election.
Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, which tells the story of a future society in which women have been stripped of their rights by a totalitarian, theocratic government, was the No. 2 bestselling book on Amazon, and No. 10 on Barnes & Noble’s website, as of Friday morning.
The novel has resonance for readers worried about the ascendancy of Trump, an abortion opponent who has bragged about appointing the U.S. Supreme Court justices who overturned Roe v. Wade, and Vice President–elect JD Vance, who has said he wants abortion to be outlawed nationally.
Trump and Vance’s supporters have vocally celebrated the Republicans’ win on social media, where the phrase “Your body, my choice” has become a meme.
George Orwell’s classic dystopian novel Nineteen Eighty-Four also made both retailers’ bestseller lists, ranking No. 14 at Amazon and No. 21 at Barnes & Noble, while the British author’s Animal Farm was No. 47 at Amazon. Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 made Amazon’s list at No. 17 and Barnes & Noble’s at No. 24, perhaps reflecting unease at the recent spate of book bans fueled by the American right wing.
Other election-themed books have proved popular with U.S. readers. Melania Trump’s memoir, Melania, was the No. 1 bestselling book at both Amazon and Barnes & Noble, with Vance’s Hillbilly Elegy at No. 6 on Amazon and No. 29 at Barnes & Noble.
Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.
