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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
It’s been quite a while since I read some dystopian works. When I found out that Zamyatin’s the one who inspired Orwell’s work, I mean, Dang!!!
It pulls you in, and I can see how it was influential to a whole range of sci-fi writers, but the racism and sexism are preettty awful. Also, the story complete falls apart in the last third.
Clearly ground-breaking for its time and surely classic, I had trouble finishing it. The writing style (short, incomplete sentences) made the plot feel a bit jumpy and disconnected. Although interesting to read from someone's "diary," it felt more meandering than cliff hanging.
Read even just a little bit and you will see the parallels to later works of distopian fiction. I appreciated that element, but would not read the book again.
Read even just a little bit and you will see the parallels to later works of distopian fiction. I appreciated that element, but would not read the book again.
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What an extraordinary book! The direct precursor to 1984 and to the dystopian genre it created, We ought to be studied on the same level as the books that followed it. It is a rich, deeply serious look at a society that was dealing with the direct aftermath of the Revolution. The fate of the nation was not yet completely clear in the early 20s, but Zamyatin could perceive many of the possible outcomes. It creates a powerful narrative, one where the narrator, through his science-based, analytical approach, creates a distance that resonates even more today, but which can be daunting to many readers (and which took me a while to get into).
I had never heard of We and I think that's a shame. This novel has a lot to say about the world, both for the early 20th Century and for today. A must-read.
I had never heard of We and I think that's a shame. This novel has a lot to say about the world, both for the early 20th Century and for today. A must-read.
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
This was a very good book. The writing style put me off quite a bit at first (and that could have a lot to do with the translation), but if you can get past it the underlying story is definitely worth it. I am glad to have read this so shortly after Limbo, they are very similar in many ways. I don't want to spoil anything, so I'll just say that they compliment each other very well. I wonder if Wolfe was aware of this book when writing Limbo...
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I often find it difficult to rate older books. We, in particular, is a challenge because it's impossible to separate the book itself from its context.
This book is over 100 years old. It was written almost at the same time as Brave New World and has been credited by Orwell as an influence for 1984.
The description of an anti-utopia is amazing. The ideas and concepts explored in this book feel ahead of their time.
However.
It was also quite a confusing read at times, the narrator was prone to waffling and I wasn't entirely sure what was going on a lot of the time. As with all books of a certain age the descriptions of women and black people were deeply problematic. Zamyatin's obsession with lips was quite repetitive and offputting (his friend seemed entirely defined by his 'Afeican Lips'). I recognise that this has to be taken within the context of the time it was written but it did detract from my overall enjoyment.
Reading 'We' feels like seeing a foundational stone being placed: I can absolutely see its influence on subsequent sci-fi and, for that, I am grateful.
This book is over 100 years old. It was written almost at the same time as Brave New World and has been credited by Orwell as an influence for 1984.
The description of an anti-utopia is amazing. The ideas and concepts explored in this book feel ahead of their time.
However.
It was also quite a confusing read at times, the narrator was prone to waffling and I wasn't entirely sure what was going on a lot of the time. As with all books of a certain age the descriptions of women and black people were deeply problematic. Zamyatin's obsession with lips was quite repetitive and offputting (his friend seemed entirely defined by his 'Afeican Lips'). I recognise that this has to be taken within the context of the time it was written but it did detract from my overall enjoyment.
Reading 'We' feels like seeing a foundational stone being placed: I can absolutely see its influence on subsequent sci-fi and, for that, I am grateful.
Content Warnings
Minor: Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A thought-provoking read. I wish desperately that I had read it with a book club or a friend because there is so much about this book that I want to discuss with others.