Dystopian Threads

by Tony Travis

Dystopian Threads
In a Future Where Humanity Is Just Another Commodity, What Remains of the Human Spirit?

Set in the bleak year of 2350, Dystopian Threads unveils a world where Earth has fallen under the iron grip of corporate overlords. Society is fractured, and humanity itself has become a product—bought, sold, and controlled by those who view people as little more than assets on a balance sheet. In this thought-provoking short story, the boundaries of freedom, identity, and self-worth are pushed to their limits.

As the narrative unfolds, the story plunges readers into a harrowing exploration of what it means to be human in a world where the very definition what is human is challenged. Against this backdrop of oppression, unlikely heroes emerge, raising urgent questions: Can compassion survive in a society that has stripped away human dignity? Will the yearning for freedom and individuality be enough to spark a rebellion?

Dystopian Threads is a chilling vision of a future that feels all too possible. In a world where humanity has been commodified, the story challenges readers to confront the fundamental question: What truly defines us as human beings?

Prepare for a gripping tale that will resonate long after the final page, leaving you to wonder—could this be our future? And if so, what would you sacrifice to reclaim your humanity?

28 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 7, 2024

About the author

Tony is an award-winning author and lives with his dachshund poodle. Science has always been a part of his life. He enjoys exploring ways that it may develop in his works. With a focus on our shared human condition.

He writes in the general style of the 1960's with a few more modern touches. He is also an avid fan of the Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, and Dune universes.

Follow me on BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/tony-... and Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tonytravis.com

Reviews

[Brenda E. Mcdaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Good Story.

A well written story and interesting. It makes you think about our world and where it's heading? Great writing. Keep writing, great talent!

[Nitika Sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must Read

Dystopian Threads" paints a vivid picture of a desolate Earth ruled by corporate overlords, prompting readers to ponder the essence of humanity in a gripping tale set in 2350.

[E.M. Swift-Hook · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very short and punchy dystopian tale of the oppressed fighting back against their oppressors, a theme which is found in such classics as Terry Nation's Blakes 7, or HG Wells' The Time Machine.
In fact, The Time Machine idea is played on in a very interesting way. Just as in Wells’ story, there is a class of mutated humans who live underground and perform industrial tasks whilst an elite live on their labour. Or so the story suggests at first. But it isn’t quite that simple by the end.
There were a few points I felt where there was not enough explanation - for example, we never learn who is organising the Liberators, although we learn Piper is chosen by whoever in some way and when violence breaks out we are not told against whom.
The story is written as a detached narration rather than diving into the heads of any characters which allows a broader-view sweep of events but does mean the reader is never really able to engage vicariously in the experience of Piper and her friends or build real empathy with them. Whilst I found the story as it played out interesting, because of the way it was written I never felt invested in the Liberators’ success or concerned for their failure. That detachment - the inability to immerse, to be involved, to care - is the biggest issue I had with this short story and why I can only give it three stars.
Overall this is a retelling of the classic dystopian theme with a disturbing twist in its tail.
I would also make any potential purchaser aware that this Kindle book has 28 pages (some of which are the intro to another story) so please note you are not paying £2.40/$2.99 for a full-length novel.

[Ann Birdgenaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chilling dystopian short story set in a future world of 2350

Chilling dystopian short story set in a future world of 2350, where humans are genetically modified as slave labor. Governed by the colossal corporate entities who live, “fully-human” and totally disconnected from the suffering and dehumanized workers in factories underground. The humanoids start to have feelings that maybe there’s a better life out there and thus begins a revolt; an ‘underground’ of the underground per se. The story is narrated rather than told from the characters point of view, so it seems very telly and difficult to immerse yourself in the action. Still, an interesting take on the trope of one sect of humanity suppressing another in an extremely science fiction way. I can see this one fleshed out to a fully formed novel. 

[P.J. Ashton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought the plot has potential. The story is set in the far future of 2350, where the Earth is populated by genetically engineered females who are used as slave labour by the unseen off-world corporations. Of course, the oppressed population begins to question.

Unfortunately, the choice of an omniscient narrator here creates issues with the story. Our hero is Piper, however, I can't tell you all that much about her. We never get inside her head, she's just a blank slate really, everything we know is due to the narrator telling us.

I would love to see this story developed into a full novel or novella, that way we can spend time in the pov of characters and interactions, as well as the life they lead and the world.

[Seth Hobbs · Rating 4 out of 5]

This, as the title suggests, is very much in the dystopian vein of books like Orwell's "1984" and countless others. I always enjoy such tales, but as others have mentioned, the book is somewhat short and feels a bit rushed. However, it is entertaining and fast-paced enough to give you a good overview of what the author is offering. I would like to have seen a bit more, but with such a short length, it is certainly worth a quick look, if you enjoy books about futuristic problems. Humans are no longer born normally from relationships, but rather created like a product for corporate interests. It isn't too hard too imagine such things, and it taps into themes like this similar to "Blade Runner" and other works. Hopefully, the author builds on the idea in.his other works.

[Canette Arille · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love dystopian books, so I read some of this and thought: Yes, this is it. If You looking for something new, just read this book :)

[Jodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this short story.