Sci-Fi and Fantasy Books

20 All Time Classic Sci Fi Novels - The Dispossessed

Reviews
 

My favourite novel, and absolutely essential reading. I first read it aged around 17 or 18, and it is without a doubt the most effecting book I have read, before or since. The presentation of the beautiful but flawed Anarchist (in the true sense of the word) society of Anarres, and the journey of the protagonist Shevek to the capitalist 'homeworld' of Urras is heartrending at times, uplifting at others. I have read 'The Dispossessed' at least half a dozen times in the last 4 years, and each time I have taken something new away from it. Political, social, philisophical - but at it's heart, deeply, deeply human, The Dispossessed deserves to be read by everybody.
Mr. J. K. Wish

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I bought "the Dispossessed" after a friend recommending it as "a life-changing book". Just before writing what you are reading now, I noticed that this very same opinion is shared by other Amazon reviewers as well, and it is certainly not a coincidence.

I recently came across an article by Cory Doctorow (Sci Fi writer and co-author of BoingBoing) under the title "Radical Presentism", arguing that "Science fiction writers don't predict the future (except accidentally), but if they're very good, they may manage to predict the present." Some examples he mentioned were "Frankenstein", "1984" etc. Well, it would by no means be a sacrilege to add that "the Dispossessed" fits perfectly in the same category, especially given that this book was written at the peak of the Cold War's first period.

Le Guin masterly describes her characters and their worlds -a capitalistic and an anarchist planet- with exceptionally deep insight. Hidden behind the glorious capitalistic cities, there are huge slum areas and underneath the anarchist freedom hide authoritarian practices and a leveling treatment of people's uniqueness/individuality. However, probably Le Guin reveals some preference on the idealistic view of the anarchist planet by originating her hero from it.


ArisX

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There are so many good things one could write about this book. Firstly it made me happy. Being a part of this world, travelling with these characters, if abait only briefly was such a pleasure. I read it in three nights and days. A hurried read as I was envigorated by it. Secondly, there are ideas in here to cherish and share. Most particularly, for me, it allowed me to think about my assumptions about causation (not a major theme at all). A dusty lens dusted off. And this was and is important for me in my own thinking. You might find something as positively startling as I did. Possibly you might delight in the level of emotional equality and reciprocal, non-altruistic, ego-rubbing that attains between some of the characters. And what it must feel like to be stable, assured, certain of your uncertainties, and aware in one's self.

Its a great read. Some of what I've written might seem like garble. Most importanlty for this review is its a great thought stimulating book. It doesn't really matter, its just my take on it. A final comment: I've read great books before, others would include Slaughterhouse 5 and some Italo Calvino, but no others have invited a renewed appreciation of how one determines what is valuable as this.

Left hand of Darkness next!

Best, R.
great indifferent thoughtlessness of the gods

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Given the rave Amazon reviews I wondered if I was reading the same book? This was recommended to me as a top 100 Sci-Fi work. Unusually, I was disappointed - making a considerable effort to force my way through to the end in search of any substantive plot or event (there was none to be found). The book is essentially a political treatise with space-faring backdrop. If a comparative study of societal archetypes is your thing then this will be of interest. If you are after a fun Sci-Fi story with a semblence of a plot then there is little in this for you.
Bath Reader

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This book is let down by only what can be described as a journalistic writing style, when you read about the trials and tribulations of the characters you arent really compelled or experience much of a connection at all. However it does deal with a lot of interesting and cool themes and topics, I really struggle to think of any other political sci fi or genre fiction which comes close.

The story follows the life of its central character, someone rapidly loses their illusions without becoming disillusioned, having fled his homeworld because he feels under appreciated and intellectually stunted he finds the neighbouring planet from which his people originally fled just as alienating and chooses to return home accompanied by an off worlder from an altogether different culture altogether.

The political climates of each world are compared and contrasted, it isnt night and day as some reviews have suggested between the anarchist utopia and decadent class society, instead each society is portrayed pretty honestly as restricting and imperfect in their own ways. In one you are not free to choose your own child's name but you will consequently never be identified as a number, in another there is great opulence but its not something everyone shares in. There are also some interesting musings about how environment influences culture and politics, one planet is barren, harsh and survival compells a communal/mutually supportive existence, the other is not and finally with the introduction of the off worlder there is a planet where resources have been exhausted to such an extent that the threat of extinction has brought about an order characterised by very limited freedom or choice at all.

However the journalistic writing style is such a let down, the main character's loves, losses, family dilemmas and political struggles on each planet are portrayed in a way that its difficult to be really moved by. I still would recommend this book, especially to any politically interested readers, but its not as much fun as some of the books in this range.
Lark

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