A review by maxgardner
The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin

challenging hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

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

5.0

I just love Ursula Le Guin's prose. She has a way of presenting these complex ideas in a relatable way that makes sense in the flow of a story without necessarily derailing the plot. Some may not agree, which I'd understand, but for me, it has worked in both of the books I've read by her (and I love that in spite of having read only two, I can pretty quickly recognize her unique style). This book specifically explores the human's relation to themselves and their caste as well as to outsiders. Le Guin asks what these identities amount to, what they mean for us and do for us, how they impact our moral compass, and how they shape the social and political dynamics that impact everything we do. I found the overarching story and the characters really interesting to follow, and I really enjoyed chewing on the ideas Le Guin explores.