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

challenging reflective medium-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

4.75

I tried to read this 5 or so years ago, and gave up because I found it so boring. I’m SO GLAD I decided to try again! This time around I know a lot more about anti-capitalism (and capitalism) and that knowledge definitely enhanced this reading experience.

This is quite clearly an idea-driven book focused on its themes, which won’t work for some people. But I found it so fascinating to see what it would be like for an anarchist society to exist entirely separate from a capitalist one, and how that experience would affect the worldview of the people who grew up there. Just seeing Shevek question where the paper wrapping of clothes went was so surprising and refreshing.

Le Guin really thought everything through for the anarchist society, and Anarres felt very real. She effectively explored the pros and cons of such a society, its strengths and weaknesses, especially contrasted with Urras. The difference in gender roles between the two societies was especially interesting, as well as the different levels of importance placed on art and science, especially since both societies viewed some specialities as frivolous for different reasons. The reader sees the Anarresti live through good times and bad and how that changes their working situation. It was also completely fascinating to see how people from other planets viewed Anarres in the end, especially the character from the equivalent of our planet.

There were so many thought-provoking questions discussed. Like is it better to be limited by other people in your society’s opinion of you / tradition or by money? Can humans retain their solidarity with each other when resources are scarce? Is it possible to maintain a society without a hierarchy and bureaucracy eventually forming? Is it better to live in a barren desert with just what you need or a beautiful world with some having more than enough and others not having anything?

I really liked seeing Shevek’s entire journey, from his childhood to his decision to go to Urras. It was interesting that he felt like such an outsider on both planets. I couldn’t figure out why he felt like that on Anarres until the very end, but it made perfect sense. My only complaint with this book is that Shevek was kind of gross towards women, in both the things he thought about attractive women and one thing in particular he did. I’m not sure why this was necessary considering how he thought of women as equal in all other respects and loved his female partner. Mostly the

borderline rape scene 🥴

. Why!

I don’t know what else to say about this book as it really blew my mind. I hope to read it again someday but a lot slower to take everything in. At times it felt like I was highlighting everything, but the entire thing was SO GOOD! Plus, Don Leslie was a fantastic narrator (though I wish he had differentiated character voices more). Le Guin really blessed us with her brilliant mind.