The Dispossessed

An Ambiguous Utopia Hainish Cycle, #6

by Ursula K. Le Guin

Paperback, 341 pages

English language

Published Aug. 11, 1999 by Gollancz.

ISBN:: 978-1-85798-882-6

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(180 reviews)

Shevek, a brilliant physicist, decides to take action. He will seek answers, question the unquestionable, and attempt to tear down the walls of hatred that have isolated his planet of anarchists from the rest of the civilized universe. To do this dangerous task will mean giving up his family and possibly his life. Shevek must make the unprecedented journey to the utopian planet, Anarres, to challenge the complex structures of life and living, and ignite the fires of change.

1 edition

Zéro Janvier reviewed The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin (Hainish Cycle, #6)

Review of 'The Dispossessed' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

J'avais lu quelque part qu'Ursula K. Le Guin avait démontré que la science-fiction ne pouvait pas seulement s'appuyer sur les sciences dites exactes mais aussi sur les sciences humaines. C'est exactement le cas dans ce superbe roman qui décrit une pseudo-utopie anarchiste où les valeurs de liberté, de collectivité, de partage et de bien commun sont mises en avant. Je parle de pseudo-utopie car comme le sous-titre du roman, An Ambiguous Utopia, l'indique, ce monde idéal ne l'est pas forcément tant que ça, et les excès du modèle prôné par les fondateurs de cette société ont aussi des effets pervers que le roman ne néglige pas.

Ce livre est à la fois un passionnant roman de science-fiction, la description d'une utopie imparfaite et de son exact contraire, et une brillante réflexion sociologique et politique. Tout ce que j'aime dans la science-fiction, tout ce qu'elle doit être à mes yeux.

Ika Makimaki reviewed The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin (Hainish Cycle, #6)

Review of 'The Dispossessed' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

“You cannot buy the revolution. You cannot make the revolution. You can only be the revolution. It is in your spirit, or it is nowhere.”
This book is a beautiful, although a bit slow, exploration of social systems, gender, class and classlessness. It is set in space, with civilizations living on separate planets with different organisation systems. But mainly we center on Shevek, the Anarresti (anarchic egalitarian society) visiting A-Io (deeply capitalistic, unequal, chauvinistic, plutocratic system). And the contrasts and insights that come out of the observations of Shevek.
I loved the anarchists. Their "utopian" society is far from perfect, but there is a honesty and straightforwardness there that can't be argued with.
In terms of pacing, the story really picks up after the middle of the book, before that is a little bit too slow and thoughtful and that is the main reason I don't give it the full five stars.
It is full of quotable bits regarding gender equality, social inequality, family, freedom, choice, power and all those huge concepts that Le Guin explores in a playful and complex manner in the context of the story.
I think I will definitely be returning to this book, because I identify with a lot of the anarchist values and models. I think I would enjoy being in Anarres. Would totally recommend.

Enno reviewed The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin (Hainish Cycle, #6)

Review of 'The Dispossessed' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

This was for me the right book at the right time, on more than one level. By far my favorite of the Hainish Cycle books, this made an even bigger impression on me than the left hand of darkness, and displaces it as the best fiction I've read in years.

ghostchaser reviewed The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin (Hainish Cycle, #6)

Review of 'The Dispossessed' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

in some good ways it reminded me of Orson Scott Cards - Speaker for the Dead.
One man can make changes to a society, Well at least in a good book they can.

Michael @ Knowledge Lost reviewed The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin (Hainish Cycle, #6)

Review of 'The Dispossessed' on 'Goodreads'

2 stars

I must admit I groaned a bit when I started The Dispossessed, a book about aliens and their different social structures. I’ve read books like this and I wasn’t really in the mood for another Sci-Fi book about anarchist societies. It is a bit dry and difficult to read but I did end up finding this book really interesting. I did end up finding the most interesting parts of this book was the different societies and how no could ever be perfect. The Dispossessed is just a giant metaphor about the world we live in. It’s not an easy read but rather interesting anyway.

Baltipink reviewed The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin (Hainish Cycle, #6)

Review of 'The Dispossessed' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Science fiction is not usually my thing, but I liked this book. She responded to skepticism about anarchism without making anarchism seem like it would not have problems as well. And I love that she showed how difficult it was for people to go against their society - in opposition to the idea that anarchy would be chaos.

Scott reviewed The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin (Hainish Cycle, #6)

Review of 'The Dispossessed' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Enough people finally recommended this that I checked it out. I don't like sci-fi and don't really enjoy fiction, but I highly recommend this book. Gives anarchists and non-anarchists alike a lot to think about, each from their particular vantage point, which I found quite intriguing.