8 novels to add to your social justice reading list
Written by Olivia Deally
Let’s be real, maintaining the snowflake Social Justice Warrior (SJW) life is draining (I’m making fun of people who make fun of other people who care about justice)!
In all seriousness, staying informed about the world around me is something I prioritize each and every day, but sometimes doing so by reading heavy works of nonfiction or depressing news articles weighs me down. Maybe you feel the same way and need a change in pace, maybe you want to read a different genre or maybe you just haven’t read in a while and need the inspiration to do so. Whatever the reason you need a good book recommendation, some of our writers at Parachute have curated a fantastic list of novels centered around themes of social justice to suggest to the lovely readers of Parachute.
While these books aren’t necessarily as dry as works of nonfiction can often feel (no hate, I love nonfiction), this doesn’t mean these stories aren’t any less heavy in the information they convey. If you are interested in reading these books, please note some may contain triggering topics.
“Parable of the Sower” by Octavia E. Butler (1993)
This science fiction book hits eerily close to home as it is set in an apocalyptic U.S. society beginning in the year of 2024. The main character, Lauren, is a Black teenager who has an extraordinary ability to feel the emotions and sensations experienced by others, but her hyper-empathy can become dangerous when she witnesses the abundant pain all around her. Extreme violence leaves Lauren alone, forced to travel north with other refugees to find safety. As she navigates a world affected by climate change, fascism and social inequality, Lauren begins to develop a revolutionary worldview that has the potential to deliver humankind from its self-inflicted suffering.
“Woman at Point Zero” by Nawal El Saadawi (1975)
“Woman at Point Zero” is a novel version of saying “all men suck.” It follows the life of Firdaus, an Egyptian prostitute who is convicted of murder for killing her pimp. This book was hard to put down and offered an international lens to the ideas of feminism and anti-capitalism I have already been forming. This book is also one of the most famous by the Egyptian feminist and author Nawal El Saadawi.
“Home Fire” by Kamila Shamsie (2017)
Based on the Greek tragedy “Antigone” by Sophocles, Kamila Shamsie’s “Home Fire” explores how conflicts at the international level affect people at the interpersonal level. Specifically, the novel follows how the daily lives of British-Pakistani Muslims are impacted by the ramifications of the global war on terror and Islamophobia. While the novel contains several classic literary tropes such as family drama, romance, loyalty and betrayal, it also contains contemporary topics like the terrorism, immigration and media frenzies, resulting in an artistic work that rebels against the injustices of the modern state. Not only is this novel an adaptation of a Greek tragedy, but if you are familiar with South Asian cinema, storytelling and culture, you will certainly enjoy the references and allusions in this book.
“There There” by Tommy Orange (2018)
“There There” by Tommy Orange is a beautifully crafted story about the experiences of urban Natives living in Oakland, California and the surrounding areas. The reader follows a multigenerational cast as they come together to celebrate the Big Oakland Powwow. Characters grapple with grief, mental health and intergenerational trauma, and share their joy, culture and history with one another. Each chapter focuses on a different individual, of which there are 12 main characters, alternating between first- and third-person perspectives. Of the complexities that his characters face, author Orange, a member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes, explains, “I wanted to have my characters struggle in the way that I struggled, and the way that I see other native people struggle, with identity and with authenticity.”
“Homegoing” by Yaa Gyasi (2016)
“Homegoing” is a sad, but remarkable story that follows two branches of a family tree. The novel does a great job of showing the exact legacies of slavery for Africans who were enslaved and Africans who remained in the continent. Yaa Gyasi also does not shy away from the less discussed legacy of colonialism in Africa as well.
“The House of Spirits” by Isabelle Allende (1982)
A classic in world literature, this novel follows several generations of a wealthy Chilean family through their personal lives, set against the backdrop of the 20th century's transition to a globalized world. The story largely parallels author Isabel Allende's life as she was related to Chile's first socialist president but was forced to flee the country when he was killed and a U.S.-backed coup took control of the country. The theme of class conflict is very prevalent in this novel. Additionally, while all of the main female characters are centered around the family patriarch, Esteban Trueba, the role each woman plays sharply contrasts against his patriarchal, controlling and violent personality and challenges what it means to be powerful.
“Kira-Kira” by Cynthia Kadohata (2004)
“Kira-Kira” by Cynthia Kadohata is told through the perspective of Katie Takeshima, the middle child of an immigrant Japanese-USAmerican family that moves from a Japanese community in Iowa to the deep south of Georgia, set against the backdrop of racial discrimination during the 1950s and early 1960s. While navigating racial tensions, the working-class family struggles together to overcome personal challenges and family tragedy when the eldest daughter Lynn becomes diagnosed with lymphoma. This beautiful and heart-wrenching story explores labor rights, racism, grief and the strength of the relationship between the two sisters.
“Beloved” by Toni Morrison (1987)
Truly a haunting story based on real events, this acclaimed Pulitzer Prize winning novel portrays the deep psychological effects that slavery had on Black USAmericans post-Civil War, specifically through the events of a formerly enslaved single mother’s life. The use of magical realism is what makes this book truly so powerful as it illustrates the inexplicable violence, trauma and institution of slavery in the United States. Of course, while this novel is gut-wrenching, one is still left with a feeling that there can be healing from injustice.
Header by Thought Catalog / Pexels
