Reviews tagging 'Violence'

Los desposeídos by Ursula K. Le Guin

33 reviews

eep's review against another edition

adventurous reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

This is an absolutely amazing and insightful book! The point of view and time variations every other chapter make the story very lively, especially reaching the end of the book. Many scenes were emotional, and I really enjoyed the way Le Guin gave detailed descriptions of the moral dilemmas and philosophy of not only Shevek, but also the communit(y/ies) of Anarres and Urras. I think for the full affect, historical knowledge of feminism in the 1970s is helpful. There is also a scene that graphically depicts sexual assault at the very end of the party in Chapter 7. It is extremely difficult to think of Shevek as a 'likeable' or 'good' character after that and, despite this, the assault is never mentioned again. This reflection is due to a modern point of view though, and Le Guin's intention was in no way a support of Shevek's actions; she was attempting to show the moral corruption caused by the social and political systems on Urras, that managed to even infiltrate an anarchist such as Shevek. Overall, however, I think this is an important piece of feminist sci-fi of course, and I love the imagery and philosophy Le Guin describes.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Violence, Misogyny, Classism, and Sexism

Moderate: Abandonment, Death, Murder, War, Gun violence, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Alcohol, Vomit, and Suicide

As for content warnings, they are listed above. Specifically (TW!):

Urras is very misogynistic and classist, and Shevek sexually assaults Vea, an Urrasti woman. This is described in detail. Women on Urras cannot work and are essentially a 50s housewife. This is described in detail too. Additionally, (though I could not find a content warning for this) consensual sex is described multiple other times throughout the book, but they are typically just a paragraph or so. At the end of the book (I believe Chapters 9 and 10), insurrection occurs on Urras which results in explicit gun violence committed by the government. This violence results in Shevek hiding out for three whole days alongside a man who had his fingers shot off, and his hand is described with detail for a paragraph or so as well as the grief felt by Shevek. This man dies of blood loss on the final day. I found the descriptions of Shevek's sadness and the man's despair somewhat disturbing (although they have great purpose I believe), and if you are not in an okay mindset it may be difficult. During the party scene in Chapter 7, alcohol is consumed and I believe here and at other points characters vomit. I hope this is helpful! Happy reading!

fareesness's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Rape, Violence, and War

leecyph's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape

Moderate: War and Violence

pastelkerstin's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective medium-paced

4.5

Essential reading if you're a leftist who likes sci-fi! I thought The Left Hand of Darkness was good, but I wouldn't say it's one of my favourite books. But The Dispossessed now is.

One of the most interesting things about The Left Hand of Darkness for me was the mention of another planet in the federation without war or law enforcement. Now, this book apparently takes place before the federation was formed, but it's exactly about that. It's about an anarchist society, the capitalist society it clashes with, and a scientist caught between the two who wants to follow his passion. And it doesn't beat around the bush at all with its politics. No fantasy names for real-life political concepts. Instead you get moving criticisms of capitalism, authoritarianism, police brutality and patriarchy. Although Anarres isn't portrayed as flawless or as totally immune to what they were trying to escape (e.g. social capital creates a kind of hierarchy after all), you know that despite its flaws and hardships, it portrays a world more just than Urras on such a deep level.

I borrowed this from the university library, but I liked it so much, I might actually buy my own copy. My only real gripe with it is how [vague spoilers ahead] Shevek's accidental drunk night ends. He narrowly avoided becoming a character I couldn't root for anymore. Very narrowly. I think him getting drunk accidentally and not knowing what's happening/how to deal with it at all because Anarrestri don't drink makes perfect sense. I just don't like where that went...
Otherwise really fucking good!!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Violence, Blood, Murder, Police brutality, Pregnancy, Sexism, Vomit, Alcohol, Classism, Xenophobia, Death, Sexual harassment, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Sexual content, War, and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Alcoholism, Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Addiction, and Rape

zombiezami's review against another edition

Not sure if this is for me. I might re-evaluate after looking at more of the series. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Pregnancy, Sexism, Misogyny, Gun violence, Violence, and Police brutality

Moderate: Classism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Alcohol, Death, Excrement, Grief, and Xenophobia

Minor: War, Colonisation, Medical content, Child death, and Vomit

Attempted rape

kelseylucinda's review against another edition

challenging reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault

Moderate: Violence

lowercasenospaces's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-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? Yes

5.0

It's too hot a day to write a proper review, but this book is without a doubt the closest thing to my exact taste as a book can be.
Le Guin has fully imagined the social ecosystem of an entire planet, as close to ideal as possible, finds its flaws and begins to address them. Ultimately, doing this as well as she has requires a deep understanding of humans and humanity, but especially of love. I was brought to tears a number of times, especially towards the end, through her descriptions of love.
Everyone should read this book.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape and Violence

woweewhoa's review against another edition

adventurous inspiring reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

My friend recommended this book to me as "The book that made him an anarchist", and I absolutely agree with him. I've in fact doubled down on being an anarchist after reading this book. 
Ursula K. Le Guin is a phenomenal author that really understands the complexities of the way politics and worlds work, and doesn't write as if one idea is perfect or flawless as one might claim it to be. This book explores an anarchist society, the flaws that it has, and directly contrasts it with a capitalistic society. 
On top of this, the way the societies and cultures are built are done in such a way that include prior history, as well as what a society would look like if everyone was raised a particular way. Anarres exists as a separation from the Urras propitarian society, and such the people raised there do not exist in a world where that type of society was ever the norm. 
Definitely a must read, if you are at all interested in Ursula K Le Guin's work. So far from what I've read of her work, another masterpiece. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexism, Gun violence, Police brutality, and Violence

Moderate: Rape

Minor: Toxic relationship

brycestevenwilley's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Legit a great introduction to anarchism, solid characters, well-woven story lines. v good

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood and Sexual assault

Moderate: Violence

pyronautphea's review against another edition

adventurous challenging slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault and Rape

Moderate: Police brutality and Violence