A Reader of Fictions

Book Reviews for Just About Every Kind of Book

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Summer Wrap-Up Read-a-Thon: Dystopian Challenge

Welcome to my stop in the Summer Wrap-up Read-a-Thon! The readathon goes from August 4-12; my stop is on the 9th. Sign up here and check out participating stops here. Anyway, this is taking place in the midst of Dystopian August, so, of course, I have a dystopian challenge. I've got several other awesome giveaways going on so make sure you check that out before you leave!

What I'm giving away: A dystopia of your choice ($15 US or less) to be shipped from TBD or Fishpond (if you live in Australia), so it's INTERNATIONAL! Comments enter you until the read-a-thon ends. I'll pick a winner on the thirteenth. Keep in mind that you can still sign up!

Suggestions:

Today's challenge is inspired by one of those suggestions, Diana Peterfreund's For Darkness Shows the Stars. FDStS is a dystopian retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion. I want you to leave a comment , telling me what classic novel you would like to see turned into a dystopian or post-apocalyptic novel. If you have some serious thought on why and how, I'll give you an extra point for entertaining me!

That's it! Have fun with it! Silly answers are acceptable too!

Example: I would love Pride & Prejudice with zombies. Wait a minute, you're probably thinking, that's already been done! I know. Unfortunately. I want it done right. A real post-apocalyptic zombie world with world building and real thought put into it. Modernizing would probably work best.

Comment Details: Make sure you leave your email or Twitter name so I can contact you if you win. Also, let me know what name you signed up for the Read-a-Thon with, so I can verify that you're entered!

Labels: giveaways, readathons

49 Comments:

Lynn K. said...: I don't read a lot of classics and the few that I DO read already have zombie/vampire-fied versions (Pride and Prejudice, Romeo and Juliet, Little Women...) but I didn't enjoy them.

Alice in Wonderland (if it counts as a classic) is another book I'd like to see given a post-apocalyptic setting. I'm a little iffy about Gena Showalter's Alice in Zombieland because her adult books and I didn't get along well. >.>

Twitter: @kuro_rin01
Email: mizuro_pearl at hotmail dot com
Lynn @ The Whimsical Procrastinator (read-a-thon list); August 9, 2012 at 7:43 AM
Dana said...: My favorite classic without a doubt is Jane Eyre so I would love to see that retold as a Dystopian! It would be really weird but I would buy it! I did like the Vampire Zombie Versions like Lynn K said so it would be cool!

email- danasquare3 at aol dot com
@danathesquare; August 9, 2012 at 8:05 AM
Christina said...: I haven't liked them much either, tbh, but I think they COULD be done well.

Alice in Zombieland is fairly good so far (I'm about halfway through), but the romance part isn't doing it for me. If your issues with Showalter were her romance that came through. Also, if you don't like her humor, it won't be for you. *shrugs* It's also not post-apocalyptic, so that remains to be done!; August 9, 2012 at 8:27 AM
Christina said...: Jane could make a great dystopian heroine. We could make Rochester some sort of monster with a tortured past. Not really a stretch. :-p; August 9, 2012 at 8:28 AM
Vicky @ A Backpack Full of Adventures said...: I've lots of favourites from the classics but I'd pick The Secret Garden. I love that book and I've never read any dystopian books set in the countryside so it'd be interesting :D

I signed up as Vicky @ Books, Biscuits, and Tea and you can reach me via email: booksbiscuitsandtea(at)hotmail(dot)com or via Twitter: @bookswithacuppa; August 9, 2012 at 9:45 AM
Christina said...: OMG! That could be so seriously epic! Like for real! Because the world not being what you thought it was is already a main theme of The Secret Garden, so you'd just have like a double reveal, with the creepy house and then the creepy society. Or something. Ooh. Love it!; August 9, 2012 at 9:48 AM
jen7waters said...: I would love to see one my favorite classics turned into a distopia: North and South, by Elizabeth Gaskell.
The plot is amazing! There's the serenity of the South versus the frantic industrialized North; the rebellion of the cotton workers (many die from hunger and lung diseases), the girl who comes from the South and with whom the guy from the North falls in love with -- but she keeps rejecting him because she doesn't agree with his opinions or how he conducts his business. He could even be part cyborg! Awww. I want to read this so bad. :3

Jen7waters on the read-a-thon masterlist
jen7waters at gmail dot com

Thanks for hosting!; August 9, 2012 at 11:14 AM
Christina said...: That is a seriously fantastic idea. I freaking love the miniseries, don't you? If you haven't seen it, do yourself a favor.

The social tensions in North and South make it such a perfect candidate. Good call!; August 9, 2012 at 11:15 AM
Rachel said...: Does Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier count as a classic? I love that book and always imagined it in a dystopian world. Add even more to an already amazing tale. That house in a dystopian, amazing descriptions could be made.

If rebecca doesn't count, I'd say The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne.

my email is rsblueviolet@gmail.com
Entered Read-a-thon with Rachel @ Unforgettable Books

Fantastic challenge Christina!!!!
Rachel; August 9, 2012 at 1:26 PM
Christina said...: In my book it sure does. Honestly, I'm not that picky. haha.

Rebecca definitely has a gloomy atmosphere that would lend itself to a dystopian society!; August 9, 2012 at 1:30 PM
jen7waters said...: Oh I've seen it! (big fan of Richard Armitage right here! <3) It's also one of my favorite period dramas ever, it's just so well done, with amazing actors and a soundtrack to die for. I actually read the book because I loved the miniseries so much. (And fell in love with the book as well.)

Thank you! I'm glad you liked the idea! ;D; August 9, 2012 at 1:47 PM
Christina said...: LOL, thank you! I've been trying to remember his name every since I saw your post and it WOULD NOT COME TO ME. Phew. You saved me. I could have googled it, but that would have been cheating. I will always love Richard Armitage because of that role.

I read the book because of the miniseries and was disappointed, but I'm glad you enjoyed it!; August 9, 2012 at 1:53 PM
Anonymous said...: Such a great idea for a challenge! I love Alexandre Dumas, and I think The Count of Monte Cristo could be turned into an awesome dystopian novel. I know there exists a futuristic anime version of the story ("Gankutsuou"), but not a dystopian one.

While airship crewman Edmond Dantes is wrongfully imprisoned, big events cause a change in world order. When Edmond escapes he has to get used to the way things work now.

His old enemies have arisen to high positions in this new world. Mondego rules the capital, Villefort is the head of the new Inquisition, and the rich Danglars has everyone in his pocket. Edmond's former boss Morrel's airships are being used to terrorize the city.

The good thing is that with different people rising to the top, no one will check the backgrounds of an eccentric, rich Count who appears into the city's social circles...

I entered the Read-A-Thon as Maija Reads Mostly Fantasy.
You can reach me at maija82-kisat at yahoo dot co dot uk; August 9, 2012 at 2:09 PM
Christina said...: Cool! I love the Count of Monte Cristo. The themes of revenge and the questionable actions of the judicial folks definitely fit!

You told me a story! Yay! I was hoping someone would. This story seriously futurizes nicely! And think of all the awful things you can have Mondego, Villefort and Danglars do in a dystopia. Nicey nice.; August 9, 2012 at 2:15 PM
Nea said...: The Hunchback of Notre Dame!! And the setting is in Paris and the apocalyptic thing would be so freaking awesome! :D :D Awww, that was such a funny challenge :) :); August 9, 2012 at 2:22 PM
Anonymous said...: I know, it could work so well!

When I was writing the story in my comment, I got more and more excited and just wanted to know what would happen next, even though *I* was the one making it up. :D; August 9, 2012 at 2:48 PM
Christina said...: Hahaha, can I smell a book deal in your future? I love it. The airship captain thing works so well! Steampunk dystopias rock, like Stormdancer for example!; August 9, 2012 at 2:49 PM
Christina @ Biblio Thoughts said...: I think The Great Gatsby might be interesting to see as a dystopian. There's the cautionary message of the American Dream as well as the love story. I haven't seen Gatsby remade at all from the original, so it could be something different if done right.

Christina @ A Bibliophiles Thoughts on Books
bibliophilesthoughtsonbooks@hotmail.com
@BiblioThoughts; August 9, 2012 at 4:45 PM
Christina said...: Neat! I really need to reread Gatsby. You could totally turn the billboard of metaphor into a big brother kind of deal. lol!; August 9, 2012 at 5:13 PM
Unknown said...: If I had to one novel that would be perfect as a dystopian, I would pick Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe. It would be awesome. I mean the main character already thinks that his life is going to end. Why not make it him against cannibalistic aliens or something? Imagine him already feral and "one with the wild" and now he has to defend the world at the same time?? Perfection.

-Angeline @Hidden Adventures of a Teenage Reader; August 9, 2012 at 5:29 PM
Christina said...: Haha, awesome! I love how many people have unique answers to this! Or, what if he finally got off of the island to find that civilization had become a dystopia in the meantime? Ooh, and Friday could be his robot friend.; August 9, 2012 at 6:12 PM
Randi M said...: Aw, dang! Dana beat me to it! ;) I think Jane Eyre would make a badass post-apocalyptic book - something involving Bertha as a zombie or some kind of crazy virus that wipes out most of humanity. :)

Randi @ Cardigans, Coffee and Bookmarks
twitter: randinicole13; August 9, 2012 at 6:19 PM
p7 said...: Wuthering Heights! The dark undertones of this novel fit perfectly with a dystopian/post-apocalyptic scenario. Imagine a dystopian society, where rank and social standing dictate everything you do - working, falling in love, even getting the most basic necessities! Two crazy kids fall madly and obsessively in love, but the social tensions break them apart, leading to a bitter ending.

catarina_romeira(at)hotmail(dot)com
Signed up as: p7 @ Bookeater/Booklover; August 9, 2012 at 6:34 PM
Christina said...: Bertha definitely would fit into something post-apocalyptic really well. Gotta keep your zombie wife in the attic. lol.; August 9, 2012 at 7:26 PM
Randi M said...: Lol, it's the perfect excuse, right? That's why she always wanted to attack! ;); August 9, 2012 at 7:26 PM
Christina said...: Cool! Although the writing will need to make sure to maintain the creepiness of Heathcliff and Catherine's relationship, not straying into the dreaded syrupy instalove. This could be awesome though!; August 9, 2012 at 7:27 PM
Heather said...: It looks like other people beat me to it, but I think Jane Eyre or Count of Monte Cristo would be awesome dystopias. They both have so much crazy going on!; August 9, 2012 at 7:39 PM
jen7waters said...: Oooh, you forgot his name! Bad Christina, bad. xD
He has a big role in the upcoming The Hobbit movie, if you are excited *as half of the world is* to watch it; but yes, Richard as John Thornton in that miniseries will always have a special place in my heart. <3; August 9, 2012 at 8:14 PM
Unknown said...: I would like 'A Little Princess' by Frances Hodsgon Burnett (the same author who wrote 'The Secret Garden') turned into a dystopian novel. I believe it would be quite challenging but the results should be interesting... :D

Email: shubhirocks@hotmail.com
Twitter: Shubhzi_Singh
Name I signed up with: Shubhi @ goodreads; August 9, 2012 at 8:45 PM
Christina said...: Most definitely. Though the attack with fire would need to be changed. Zombies generally aren't fans. lol.; August 9, 2012 at 10:46 PM
Christina said...: Agreed. I could totally launch my writing career with classics turned into dystopias the classy way, as opposed to the lazy way. Woo!; August 9, 2012 at 10:48 PM
Christina said...: That would be tricky, but boarding school tends to be a popular setting, so it could probably be made to work!; August 9, 2012 at 10:50 PM
Christina said...: I know, so shameful! *goes to shame corner*

OMG! He's in The Hobbit?!!?!?! Of course, by Hobbit movie you mean first of three Hobbit movies, because that's a thing. O_O

He's also in the BBC Robin Hood from a few years back, although he's the sheriff, so he's not a good guy. But still. He's awesome.; August 9, 2012 at 11:09 PM
JennRenee said...: I chose The Complete Sherlock Holmes. Sherlock and Zombies sounds fun. Here is my Summer wrap up day 5 post.

http://jennreneeread.blogspot.com/2012/08/read-thon-summer-wrap-up-read-thon-day-6.html; August 9, 2012 at 11:17 PM
Lynn K. said...: It's the romance. I'm still planning to check it out though, cause I love almost everything Alice related. ;)

+ Peter Pan <-- does this count as a classic?
I'd like to see them do a modern version sort of like BBC's Sherlock Holmes and add in some dystopian elements.; August 10, 2012 at 3:30 AM
Unknown said...: Okay, so I'm thinking about The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas. It would be fun to read D'Artagnan and the other three (Athos, Porthos, and Aramis) fighting to get rid of the evil. Maybe with the zombies (yeah, classic I know) or with the vampires. Would love to see D'Artagnan as a dystopian hero :D

e-mail: ninaridyananda@gmail.com
twitter: @ninandda16
RAT: Nina @ The Bookaddict Diaries

Here's my recent post; August 10, 2012 at 8:47 AM
Leonor (Ner) said...: My choice would be "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" bt L. Frank Baum. It's such a magical story that something could be done to turn it into a dystopian story with some technology and science and all of that. Perhaps zombies could enter here (the winged monkeys, perhaps). Don't know how but with some major twists, it would funny.

Participat: #255
nerwen_elendil@yahoo.co.uk
My post here: http://cupofcoffeeandabook.blogspot.com/2012/08/summer-wrap-up-read-thon-day-six.html

Thanks for hosting this challenge... it was pretty cool to think about it ^_^; August 10, 2012 at 9:47 AM
Christina said...: Sherlock Holmes would definitely need to work harder is their were zombies trying to nom his legs.; August 10, 2012 at 11:10 AM
Christina said...: Awww, D'Artagnan is cool! He would make a great hero, though we'd need to add in a powerful lady. :); August 10, 2012 at 11:10 AM
Christina said...: Oooh, I think that would work pretty well! The evil witches could be changed into dystopian tyrants. Fantastic idea!; August 10, 2012 at 11:11 AM
Cayce said...: I agree with Heather, The Count of Monte Cristo would make a fantastic dystopian. There is already an anime version of the book( it's called Gankutsuou), which has a sort of dystopian/steampunk look. And I just loved that.
I think this idea definitely has potential, it just needs a great author. :) Someone like Michael Grant.

Signed up as: Cayce @ Fighting Dreamer
email: cayce006 at yahoo dot com

Thanks for the great challenge! :); August 10, 2012 at 5:47 PM
Anonymous said...: I haven't read it, but Stormdancer sounds pretty interesting. And it has that gorgeous cover by Jason Chan!; August 11, 2012 at 4:58 AM
Christina said...: I really want to see the anime!

I haven't read any of Michael Grant's solo books. Will have to look into that and get back to you. ;); August 11, 2012 at 11:30 AM
Christina said...: IT'S SO GOOD! I'm giving a copy away (US only) in another post - the interview with Jay Kristoff. :-D; August 11, 2012 at 11:31 AM
Kristen said...: I think Sherlock Holmes would make a great book set in a dystopian. :); August 11, 2012 at 11:48 AM
ZaraAlexis said...: Hi Cristina! What a great idea for a challenge. I liked it so much, I created my own post. You can check it out here!

http://zaraalexis.wordpress.com/2012/08/11/summer-wrap-up-read-a-thon-dystopian-challenge-08-11-2012/

Thanks!
Zara Alexis at The Bibliotaphe's Closet

zgarcia(dot)alvarez(at)gmail(dot)com
Twitter: @ZaraAlexis
Entry in SWUR: Zara Alexis @ The Bibliotaphe's Closet; August 11, 2012 at 12:32 PM
Christina said...: Wow! I like your enthusiasm!; August 12, 2012 at 4:34 PM
jen7waters said...: I think he'll be in the 3 Hobbit movies! :D

Yeah, he's the bad guy in Robin Hood, but he looks so handsome in that series...with the long hair and the black leather (tight) clothes... xD; August 14, 2012 at 5:24 PM
Christina said...: Ooooh!

He is so delightful. :); August 15, 2012 at 4:40 PM

A Reader of Fictions

Book Reviews for Just About Every Kind of Book

: Name: Christina; Location: Norcross, GA, United States

I am a librarian in my twenties. I got my MLIS at the University of Pittsburgh in 2010, and, through the vagaries of the job market, ended up working at a software company, rather than a librarian. I still very much consider myself to be a librarian, though.

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Thursday, August 9, 2012

Summer Wrap-Up Read-a-Thon: Dystopian Challenge

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