In the wake of Donald Trump's win in the 2024 presidential election, a surge of dystopian and politically charged books, most notably "The Handmaid's Tale" reaching Amazon's Best Sellers list, have seen a dramatic spike in sales.
Following a controversial and highly polarized election, where Trump historically secured a second term, readers appear to be grappling with what his win will mean for the future. In turn, they seem to be relying on books reflecting their anxieties about democracy, oppression, and the rise of far-right politics.
Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale" tells a chilling tale of totalitarianism and the subjugation of women, which seems to resonate deeply with many in the U.S. as a cautionary reflection of the current political climate.
Just one day after Trump's victory, the book rocketed up Amazon's charts, rising more than 400 spots to become the third best-selling book in the U.S., driven by a 1,826% increase in sales, Rolling Stone reported.
Atwood's acknowledgment of the widespread sense of despair may have attributed to the increase as well after she posted an important note on social media.
"Despair is not an option," Atwood wrote on X. "It helps no one."
George Orwell's "1984" and Timothy Snyder's "On Tyranny" have also surged in popularity, as they too address similar themes.
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