The Dispossessed by Ursula LeGuin
Bibliography:
LeGuin, U. K. (1985). The dispossessed. Panther Books.
Plot Summary:
Critical Analysis:
In this book, Le Guin explores such topics as forms of government, individual freedoms, ecology, power, language, humility vs. egoism, and idealism vs. pragmatism. I think it is most successful as a platform for thinking through these philosophical concepts. It is less successful as an engrossing story. Most of the book is spent in world-building, showing what life is like on each planet. Shevek’s journey highlights the strengths and weaknesses inherent in the different ideologies. The plot and the characters, except for Shevek, are rather thin. It is certainly a thinking person’s book. It underscores the importance of knowing what should replace the methods we seek to change. Recommended to those that enjoy analyzing advantages and disadvantages of different social systems.
Review Excerpt:
Library Journal
Excellent characterization and meaningful ideas make this one of the most important [science fiction] novels of the last several years.
New York Times Book Review
A seamless creation: every thing is made up, nothing seems arbitrary...Le Guin’s book [is] written in her solid, no-nonsense prose
Kirkus Reviews
The novel flashes back and forth . . . and delicately develops both the strengths and weaknesses of the two social systems, the contrasting textures of the two kinds of social experience . . . All through, this impresses with small but incalculably right choices which add up solidly and confirm Ms. Le Guin as one of our finest projectionists of brave old and other worlds.
Connections:
Unit with Fantasy/Science-Fiction and you could probably do a whole unit with just Ursula LeGuin. She has so many books that blur the line between Fantasy and Sci-Fi.
Anarchism/Anarchy
Books about Utopia and what is a Utopia
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