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A review by savvylit
The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
Prior to reading this book, my only exposure to Le Guin was her short story "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas" which I loved. Needless to say, I was looking forward to reading one of her full-length works.
The strongest part of this book is definitely the political theory & criticism. The way Le Guin explores the best and the worst of anarcho-syndicalism is super interesting. Politically, I'm pretty far left so I really enjoyed that the utopia of Annares reflects principles that I strongly believe in - specifically mutual aid. Another strength of this book was that, though it portrays a utopia, it is incredibly critical of the shortcomings of said utopia.
What ultimately made this 3 stars for me was the neutrality that I felt for the whole book as I read it. The plot is weak and the characters are weak - all in service to the political theory. Shevek is the only character who is remotely three-dimensional. I found the rest to be hollow. Not only that, but I simply do not care about temporal physics and felt extremely bored reading about Shevek's theory of simultaneity. But that's just my personal preference.
All in all, I respect what The Dispossessed is about but I wouldn't re-read it or recommend it. I think I will try a more well-known Le Guin work next time - hopefully something with more plot & character development.
The strongest part of this book is definitely the political theory & criticism. The way Le Guin explores the best and the worst of anarcho-syndicalism is super interesting. Politically, I'm pretty far left so I really enjoyed that the utopia of Annares reflects principles that I strongly believe in - specifically mutual aid. Another strength of this book was that, though it portrays a utopia, it is incredibly critical of the shortcomings of said utopia.
What ultimately made this 3 stars for me was the neutrality that I felt for the whole book as I read it. The plot is weak and the characters are weak - all in service to the political theory. Shevek is the only character who is remotely three-dimensional. I found the rest to be hollow. Not only that, but I simply do not care about temporal physics and felt extremely bored reading about Shevek's theory of simultaneity. But that's just my personal preference.
All in all, I respect what The Dispossessed is about but I wouldn't re-read it or recommend it. I think I will try a more well-known Le Guin work next time - hopefully something with more plot & character development.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Police brutality, and Pregnancy