When metaphors are not enough: Fantasy, dystopian literature, and the real world

In a conversation on social media recently, readers were discussing fantasy and dystopian books they didn’t like because they hit too close to home. I understand that readers—including me!—enjoy mythic heroism, clear distinctions between good and evil, sword fights and dragons and epic battles, and a story where the good guys ultimately win decisively. And as an avid reader, I don’t want anyone telling me what to read and what not to read, so this is not a critique of reading choices. It’s a legitimate question about why some readers won’t touch real-world dystopian stories.