Given the tumultuous nature of the U.S. election cycle, chatter is bound to spring up online. Bookish communities are divided in a fascinating way: some argue that books are a form of escapism while others assert that literature is inherently political. As is so typical for my political beliefs, I agree with aspects of both points. Fiction does indeed tend to transport us to another world, but as a dystopian author, I’m also particularly plugged into the naturally political element that comes with the territory. I want to discuss books and politics in as nonpartisan a way as possible, because truly, I think it’s an essential topic that we as readers have a responsibility to maintain some familiarity with.
Before we dive in, I want to call out a cool tool I use for keeping a pulse on my ever-evolving beliefs: iSideWith. This platform is very cut-and-dry in that it shows where your ideologies typically align best, but if you’re anything like me, application and execution comes with nuances. Nevertheless, I think it’s fascinating to take a look at politics via issues rather than just candidates… And that’s partially because I seldom see candidates I agree more than 88% with, by the platform’s calculations. With that caveat in mind, when we get to the book banning section, expect me to critique both sides. When it comes to politicians and literature, every stakeholder is a fair target.
Without further ado, let’s analyze books, politics, and everything in between.
The Political Nature of Literature
When I was an archaeology student, we were taught that oral tradition and written records were the roadmap to discovery. Language serves as a vehicle to communicate lessons and morals, but it also behaves as a snapshot of the world in which the story was created. While that snapshot is invaluable to researchers, it also has an obvious parallel in modern literature – stories are poised to reflect real-world beliefs. Do authors necessarily agree with the beliefs of their characters? No, of course not. That’s why writing them is so fun! But the voices of those characters, even in the most out-there space opera adventures, reflect a little piece of the real world. Stories, whether ancient or modern, are influenced by the cultural, social, and political forces of their time.
Reflecting and questioning society is one thing, but books actually also have the potential to shape societies. Books can uphold the status quo by presenting dominant narratives or challenge it by offering alternative viewpoints. Throughout history, books have sparked revolutions, challenged oppressive systems, and given voice to marginalized communities, making them powerful tools in shaping public thought and policy. Okay, I can see your eyes glazing over. Let me just cut straight to one example of a book that changed our modern world.
“So you’re the little woman who wrote the book that started this great war!” Supposedly, that’s what Abraham Lincoln said to Harriet Beecher Stowe, the author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin. In this piece of literature, which leaned into aspects of popular literature and naturally infused them with the narrative of enslaved persons, the abolitionist cause was placed front and center on the national (and even international) stage. Being the second best-selling book behind the Bible in that era, this story served as a palatable and digestible vehicle for shaping public thought. Did it directly start the American Civil War? Of course not. There were many factors throughout a bygone but politically tumultuous era that caused the conflict to erupt. However, this historic bestseller undeniably played a role in shaping public opinion.
The Jungle by Upton Sinclair came a few decades later, but its analysis of health violations in the American meatpacking industry led to public outcry that ultimately shaped policy. This is one book that admittedly gives me the jeebies, so I’ll let you Google this one on your own time to dig deeper.
Books do not exist in a vacuum; they are part of a larger dialogue about who we are as a society and who we want to become, making them fundamentally political artifacts. We, as readers, often subconsciously absorb the perspectives, assumptions, and ideologies of authors via the stories we consume. Books absolutely have their place in politics, though we may choose to ignore or avoid discussing that.
Books as Escapism
Whenever I had a bad day, I’d sit down and make the main character in Industrialized have a worse day. (I’ve written about how it’s a dystopian romance book exclusively due to the relationship that unfolds, but truly, it’s not a romance. I wouldn’t describe that relationship as anything close to healthy or admirable, though it is entertaining. Long story short, the FMC had a lot of frustrating days.) As an author, writing is absolutely a form of escapism for me. But as we discussed in the previous section, my natural biases and ideologies are bound to creep into my creations.
I can expand on that. On Goodreads, circa 31% of reader reviews mention Kristina’s iron corset. Not a single one has mentioned the symbolism that comes with it. Our main character says early on that she cannot have children, as the corset would crush them. It’s birth control, in a really disturbing and visceral way. How does she move away from it? It’s removed by Titus Tarm, the owner of a company striving to introduce legislation with a eugenics twist. At first glance, this world is worse than ours, and it’s merely an entertaining look at a really twisted possible future. With a more nuanced read-through, it echoes the real-world political topics of birth control, bodily autonomy, and consent. This story is a product of the world it was written in, even if it’s not glaringly obvious at first glance.
There’s commentary even in the most casual reads. Nevertheless, books should serve as a form of escapism. They’re art, and we’re entitled to enjoy it in our own way. I, as a writer, use it as escapism, and as a reader? I’m entitled to treat it in the exact same way. They’re a beautiful escape.
During election cycles, it’s essential to protect your mental wellbeing. Books naturally provide a mental retreat by transporting readers to places and times far removed from their own lives — whether it’s an enchanting fantasy world, a gripping adventure, or a slice of historical life. Setting aside stress to dig into novelty, excitement, or comfort is self-care. Indulge as much as you can or as often as you’d like, because frankly, you deserve it. Keep in mind, however, that books are both a refuge from reality and a tool for understanding it better, so you might want to opt for cozy romantasy or a similar genre for a more carefree read during election cycles.
Exploring Book Bans
You’ve surely heard of “book bans,” but defining this phenomenon is surprisingly complicated. In the United States, we use this word as something of a catch-all. It may mean making a book’s content illegal to distribute, removing certain types of content from libraries, schools, or bookstores, or destroying literature. Banning books, regardless of which type of ban is enacted, is a form of censorship that limits the flow of information.
In the U.S., we’ve seen book bans enacted by politicians in both major parties. Conservative book bans often target banning books from schools and libraries for topics deemed inappropriate, like sexuality or race. Liberal book bans tend to target problematic language or behavior, like stories with language that is now considered racist or books penned by writers with publicly problematic stances. While conservative groups are making headlines in the 2020s for banning books, book bans have been enforced by politicians across the political spectrum throughout human history. Regardless of who is enforcing a book ban, it’s a form of censorship. It feels pretty dystopian, doesn’t it?!
Reading banned books is essential in fostering understanding and developing a more nuanced view of the world. When readers explore works that have been suppressed or challenged, they are invited to question why these books were considered threatening or controversial, allowing them to consider different viewpoints, assess biases, and come to their own conclusions. This helps readers become more resilient to censorship and manipulation in all forms.
Perhaps most importantly to me as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, banned books often give voice to marginalized communities and tackle social injustices head-on. By reading about diverse experiences and struggles, we can each better understand the importance of inclusion, equity, and the courage needed to address systemic issues. In this way, reading banned books is a meaningful path toward empathy, understanding, and social responsibility.
Books are political artifacts, targets of political malice, and a tool to better understand and challenge the state of our world. In many ways, they’re weapons and armor alike.
Why You Should Be Taking Notes
Books are an essential form of expression that has helped societies grow for centuries. The invention of the printing press changed readership and made it suddenly obtainable to the average person, and truthfully, I think we take the availability of books and media for granted. These beautiful, wonderful little bundles of paper simultaneously make our world a much smaller place and expand its borders to the edge of the universe. That’s so, so special, and it’s something we should cherish and protect.
History shows that those who restrict or downplay the political power of books often aim to control narratives, limit dissent, and shape public perception in ways that support their agendas. In that view, books have become a political topic, and they’ll likely continue to be throughout our lives. They were in our ancestors’ lives, too.
In Nazi Germany, for example, the regime organized public book burnings in the 1930s to eliminate works deemed “un-German,” including books by Jewish authors, Marxists, and progressive thinkers. The goal was not only to erase certain ideas but to cultivate a controlled, ideologically homogeneous society, preparing the population for more extreme actions against dissenters and marginalized groups.
Closer to home, during the McCarthy era in the United States, books considered “subversive” or sympathetic to communist ideals were censored or removed from libraries, with some authors blacklisted. This period highlights how banning or censoring books can fuel fear, mistrust, and the persecution of individuals for their beliefs.
Book bans become political fear, which can lead to the erosion of intellectual freedom. When powerful individuals or groups downplay the political influence of books, they may aim to deflect from how literature can challenge or inspire societal change. We, as users in the far corners of Bookstagram or BookTok, need to remember that books are and have always been a catalyst for growth and change. It’s important for us to continue the conversation about why books are political, and why they’re a resource we need to continually protect.
Let’s empower future generations to understand the powerful role literature plays in advocating for justice, truth, and social progress. They say the pen is mightier than the sword, and in the arena of public opinion, this rings profoundly true.