The Dispossessed
The Principle of Simultaneity is a scientific breakthrough which will revolutionize interstellar civilization by making possible instantaneous communication. It is the life work of Shevek, a brilliant physicist from the arid anarchist world of Anarres. But Shevek's work is being stifled by jealous colleagues, so he travels to Anarres's sister-planet Urras, hoping to find more liberty and tolerance there. But he soon finds himself being used as a pawn in a deadly political game.
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Community Reviews
This is exactly what you would expect from 1970s dystopian sci-fi novel. On the surface, it is the tale of one man with a mission travelling from one planet to another. However, it is not really about space, or future life on other planets. At its core, it is about human societies and how greatly they can differ due to their politics. Le Guin has created a highly fascinating and original platform to explore differences in culture, morality, language and government.
I am not very political but I found it interesting to explore these insights into the pros and cons of anarchism, communism, capitalism and all the other -isms that come along with people’s differing views on how to run a society. The story was a welcome reminder that your own way is not necessarily the best or right way, and that there is always more than one way of doing things.
The Dispossessed was recommended to me by a friend who has a physics PhD. I can see why he enjoyed it so much - there is a lot of scientific talk to wade through and, of course, the hero is a brilliant physicist! I did find the story difficult to follow at times. This is perhaps not an audiobook conducive to being stopped and started at thirty minutes intervals while doing laundry/cooking dinner etc. and probably deserves one’s full attention! When I was fully tuned in, I did appreciate all the little details Le Guin includes in her storytelling to make her worlds so real, for example the magnet Vea Doem Oiie has had installed under her skin to attach jewellery.
This audiobook was excellently read by Don Leslie who makes light work of all the scientific and political terminology!
I am not very political but I found it interesting to explore these insights into the pros and cons of anarchism, communism, capitalism and all the other -isms that come along with people’s differing views on how to run a society. The story was a welcome reminder that your own way is not necessarily the best or right way, and that there is always more than one way of doing things.
The Dispossessed was recommended to me by a friend who has a physics PhD. I can see why he enjoyed it so much - there is a lot of scientific talk to wade through and, of course, the hero is a brilliant physicist! I did find the story difficult to follow at times. This is perhaps not an audiobook conducive to being stopped and started at thirty minutes intervals while doing laundry/cooking dinner etc. and probably deserves one’s full attention! When I was fully tuned in, I did appreciate all the little details Le Guin includes in her storytelling to make her worlds so real, for example the magnet Vea Doem Oiie has had installed under her skin to attach jewellery.
This audiobook was excellently read by Don Leslie who makes light work of all the scientific and political terminology!
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