Reviews - The Dispossessed

6.02k reviews for:

The Dispossessed

Ursula K. Le Guin

4.28 AVERAGE

spacecryptid's review

5.0

adventurous emotional hopeful reflective

I was so hesitant to come back to this book after reading only a handful of chapters nearly 10 years ago, but wow I am so glad I did

p_arker's review against another edition

5.0

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

Strong character development: Yes

Man the fucking rock and tree motif is so deep

Shevek comes up with this joke as a kid that if you throw a rock at a tree it will never actually hit it because it always has to travel half the distance remaining. He’s called a bitch for this

Shevek uses this throughout his life to explain his unique perspective on time to those around him, and rather elegantly to us as well. But not only is this motif fantastic imagery reflecting Anarres and Urras, as well as our hero’s journey between them, but it’s beautifully resolved in the last chapter with this (spoiler free) passage:

“BEFORE they broke orbit, the view ports were filled with the cloudy turquoise of Urras, immense and beautiful. But the ship turned, and the stars came into sight, and Anarres among them like a round bright rock; moving yet not moving, thrown by what hand, timelessly circling, creating time.”

The book is also generally good👍

mfitton's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous dark emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

reflejx's review against another edition

5.0

This was lovely. The Anarresti have an interesting perspective, coming from a place of curiosity and honesty that is unfamiliar to the distrustful propertarians of Urras. They also show how specific ideals can be practiced different ways, and how thus any system of beliefs doesn't guarantee harmony and fellowship nor the absence of hypocrisy and ill will.

baronvonwaffle's review against another edition

3.5

challenging informative reflective slow-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

hanxolotl's review against another edition

4.5

reflective tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

ejcorum's review against another edition

3.75

Ursula K. Le Guin’s The Dispossessed is a thought-provoking exploration of political and social ideologies, wrapped in a science fiction narrative that’s as cerebral as it is engaging. Published in 1974, this Hugo and Nebula Award-winning novel follows Shevek, a physicist from the anarcho-syndicalist planet of Anarres, as he navigates the complexities of his own society and the contrasting capitalist world of Urras. Le Guin’s ability to craft a story that’s both a character study and a philosophical treatise is remarkable, though the ending left me wanting a different resolution for Shevek and his partner, Takver.
What Works:
Le Guin’s world-building is exceptional. Anarres, with its collectivist, resource-scarce society, feels vividly real, from its communal ethos to the subtle tensions of conformity masquerading as freedom. Urras, by contrast, is lush and stratified, exposing the seductive yet corrosive nature of wealth and power. Shevek’s journey between these worlds serves as a lens to examine individualism, collectivism, and the gray areas in between. His struggles—balancing personal loyalty to Takver and their child with his scientific ambitions—are deeply human and relatable.
The nonlinear narrative, alternating between Shevek’s past on Anarres and his present on Urras, keeps the pacing dynamic while revealing the roots of his disillusionment. Le Guin’s prose is precise yet poetic, with moments of profound insight, like her depiction of Anarres’ arid beauty or the quiet intimacy of Shevek and Takver’s bond. The novel’s exploration of time and physics, woven into Shevek’s development of the ansible (a device enabling instantaneous communication across space), adds intellectual heft without overwhelming the story.
What Holds It Back:
While the novel’s ideas are its strength, they occasionally overshadow the characters. Some secondary figures, like Shevek’s childhood friends or Urrasti contacts, feel more like archetypes than fully fleshed-out individuals, serving primarily to illustrate ideological points. The pacing, especially in the Anarres chapters, can drag during lengthy philosophical debates, which may test readers looking for more action-driven sci-fi.
My biggest qualm is the ending. Without spoiling too much, Shevek’s arc concludes in a way that feels true to the novel’s themes of sacrifice and ambiguity but left me emotionally unsatisfied. I would have preferred a resolution where Takver, who represents Shevek’s emotional anchor, to see him back home instead of just ending it right there, providing a sense of personal closure alongside the broader political implications. Her absence in the final scenes made the ending feel colder than I’d hoped, given their heartfelt connection earlier.
Overall:
The Dispossessed is a brilliant, if imperfect, novel that challenges readers to question societal structures and personal loyalties. Le Guin’s ability to blend speculative fiction with political philosophy is masterful, and Shevek’s journey is both inspiring and haunting. While the ending didn’t fully resonate with me it’s a testament to Le Guin’s skill that I cared so deeply about these characters. At 3.75/5 stars, it’s a must-read for fans of introspective sci-fi, though it may not satisfy those craving a tidy or emotionally warm conclusion.