The Dispossessed (1974)

One of 5 recommended titles about utopias.

Humans are both social and individualistic. It's hard to work out how to live in right relationship with ourselves and with each other. Shevek, from an exiled anarchist society, struggles with this problem as a member of his own world and as a guest of the propertarian world that gave rise to it. ( )

A classic in the Hainish series. ( )

People fear original thinkers. If there is one thing that I will take away from the book, it is this lesson. “The Dispossessed” is a strange book, and probably deserves a second reading. You can read a full book summary at bookreports.info.

The book itself revolves around the life and times of a person called Shevek, a native of the moon – called Anarres. Shevek is a physicist, and is brilliance. His brilliance frightened his teachers. On Annares, people live in a kind of socialist environment, and everyone seems compelled to blend in with the others. Children grow up in dormitories, and any sense of individualism is quelled.

During the course of the book, Shevek visits Urras, the forbidden planet. The culture of the people on this planet is quite different. They seem to appreciate his ideas, but want to use them for conquest.

It is, in a sense, a war of the worlds, but is not a violent book. There are no wars. However, the war, if you want to call it that, represents differences in culture and outlook.

The book itself goes between the narrative and flashbacks about life on Annares.

Many people consider this book to be a classic of science fiction. It is a good book in some ways. There is not strong story line, no great dramatic moment. It could have been a book about humans on earth. It could have been a telling of the difference between the communist/socialist and capitalist viewpoints. However, it is a bit deeper.

She does paint a tale of an acquisitive culture – that of Urras. She also paints a picture of a culture where people put walls around new ideas, personal growth and emotion. This is true of any society on earth.

There are flashes of genius in the book. However, I was not engaged in the tale. I did finish the book, but when I turned the last page, I felt that I had gone through four hundred pages for no real reason. ( )

This book made me feel hopeful for the future. Ms Le Guin has created a believable utopia; very refreshing after the recent onslaught of dystopias. ( )