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A review by inkysoph
We by Yevgeny Zamyatin
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
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, and Racism