One of The Atlantic 's Great American Novels "One of the greats. . . . Not just a science fiction writer; a literary icon." -- Stephen King "Engrossing. . . . [Le Guin] is a philosopher; an explorer in the landscape of the mind." -- Cincinnati Enquirer Ursula K. Le Guin's award-winning classic--a profound and thoughtful tale of anarchism and capitalism, individualism and collectivism, and one ambitious man's quest to bridge the ideological chasm separating two worlds A bleak moon settled by utopian anarchists, ...
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One of The Atlantic 's Great American Novels "One of the greats. . . . Not just a science fiction writer; a literary icon." -- Stephen King "Engrossing. . . . [Le Guin] is a philosopher; an explorer in the landscape of the mind." -- Cincinnati Enquirer Ursula K. Le Guin's award-winning classic--a profound and thoughtful tale of anarchism and capitalism, individualism and collectivism, and one ambitious man's quest to bridge the ideological chasm separating two worlds A bleak moon settled by utopian anarchists, Anarres has long been isolated from other worlds, including its mother planet, Urras--a civilization of warring nations, great poverty, and immense wealth. Now Shevek, a brilliant physicist, is determined to reunite the two planets, which have been divided by centuries of distrust. He will seek answers, question the unquestionable, and attempt to tear down the walls of hatred that have kept them apart. To visit Urras--to learn, to teach, to share--will require great sacrifice and risks, which Shevek willingly accepts. But the ambitious scientist's gift is soon seen as a threat, and in the profound conflict that ensues, he must reexamine his beliefs even as he ignites the fires of change.
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Add this copy of The Dispossessed: a Novel (Harper Perennial Olive to cart. $16.00, fair condition, Sold by Dream Books Co. rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Denver, CO, UNITED STATES, published 2015 by Harper Perennial.
Add this copy of The Dispossessed: a Novel (Harper Perennial Olive to cart. $20.25, good condition, Sold by ZBK Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Woodland Park, NJ, UNITED STATES, published 2015 by Harper Perennial.
Ursula K Le Guin believes in the intelligence of her readers. As such, I can always count on a challenge from her work. Here, she juxtaposes a "utopian" moon against the traditional classist planet its population left behind. Because humans will seek power even within a supposedly hierarchy-less society, the scientific hegemony has effectively gagged Shevek, our protagonist. In order to spread his ideas to where they will actually be utilized, he risks his life in traveling back to the misogynist, corrupt planet from whence his ancestors fled, breaking a generations-long embargo of silence. This is a deep exploration of political idealism, of academic censorship, and of the child-like concept of "the grass is greener on the other side." Le Guin provides no pat conclusions, allowing the reader to make his or her own. Or not, as the case may be. Some situations defy conclusions.