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4.28 AVERAGE
4.28 AVERAGE
'The Dispossessed' is about a civilization on a planet called Urras and its moon Anarres. Urras is pretty much like Earth, but Anarres hosts an anarchistic society. The power of 'The Dispossessed' lies in Le Guin's plausible description of how such an anarchistic world would work. Certainly, it's not without its flaws, although I'd suspect these would have crept in much sooner than they do in Le Guin's world. Le Guin cleverly leaves it to the reader which world he prefers. Moreover, Le Guin eschews long descriptions and weaves her ideas into conversations between her protagonists.
Less successful is Le Guin's story, which tells about brilliant physicist Shevek who leaves Anarres to visit Urras and who runs up against the limits of both worlds. Unfortunately, Shevek's story never becomes really compelling, and his story arc is left pretty inconclusive. Besides, Le Guin's writing style is quite commonplace and dull. Moreover, in its description of Urras (which clearly has two blocks fighting each other, one capitalist and one communist) and gender issues (some of which certainly have improved since the book was written) the book is more typical a product of the 1970s than a timeless classic.
Less successful is Le Guin's story, which tells about brilliant physicist Shevek who leaves Anarres to visit Urras and who runs up against the limits of both worlds. Unfortunately, Shevek's story never becomes really compelling, and his story arc is left pretty inconclusive. Besides, Le Guin's writing style is quite commonplace and dull. Moreover, in its description of Urras (which clearly has two blocks fighting each other, one capitalist and one communist) and gender issues (some of which certainly have improved since the book was written) the book is more typical a product of the 1970s than a timeless classic.
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Up to this point, I have been enthralled by what happens in Le Guin's imagination, but have never enjoyed her actual novels. This, though, this is brilliant and was a joy to read
I can't believe I've waited so long to read this book. It's so prescient, it could have been written yesterday rather than in 1974. So many rich ideas on how we can structure society and an interesting protagonist to lead us through the questions raised.
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
overall it’s an incredibly beautiful and extremely insightful novel. a great exercise in imagination. le guin uses the plot and characters of the novel to drape a far more complex and intriguing discussion/narrative. we get to experience firsthand what it means to live in two societies that are structured so differently from one another. le guin shows her genius in that she is able to show all the achievements and all the glory that all the different nations and worlds have built. only to remind the reader, very subtly, of the cost of all these achievements. you become smitten by the great luxuries of the world. only to be swiftly reminded of the unequal world that produce these luxuries. it’s a marvelous novel.
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I can't wait to read this again. An incredibly engaging book discussing politics and philosophy mainly through dialogue between characters. Feels like a brain blast. I LOVE IT.
adventurous
challenging
informative
inspiring
tense
Well written exploration of Le guin's ideas and anarchist principles. I was already familiar with the ideas so in some ways the story fell flat.