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The Dispossessed

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About this listen

 One of the very best must-read novels of all time - with a new introduction by Roddy Doyle

'There was a wall. It did not look important - even a child could climb it. But the idea was real. Like all walls it was ambiguous, two-faced. What was inside it and what was outside it depended upon which side of it you were on...'

Shevek is brilliant scientist who is attempting to find a new theory of time - but there are those who are jealous of his work, and will do anything to block him. So he leaves his homeland, hoping to find a place of more liberty and tolerance. Initially feted, Shevek soon finds himself being used as a pawn in a deadly political game.

With powerful themes of freedom, society and the natural world's influence on competition and co-operation, THE DISPOSSESSED is a true classic of the 20th century.

Featuring a new introduction written and read by Roddy Doyle

(p) The Orion Publishing Group Ltd 2019 Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Metaphysical & Visionary Political Science Fiction Thought-Provoking Scary Socialism

Critic reviews

The book I wish I had written ... It's so far away from my own imagination, I'd love to sit at my desk one day and discover that I could think and write like Ursula Le Guin (Roddy Doyle)
An extraordinary work ... [Le Guin] created a working society in exquisite detail ... a fully realised hypothetical culture [as well as] living breathing characters who are inevitable products of that culture (Baird Searles)
A well told tale signifying a good deal; one to be read again and again
A deeply imagined work of art
Le Guin's book ... is so persuasive that it ought to put a stop to the writing of prescriptive Utopias for at least 10 years
[Le Guin had] the heart of a poet who knew all too well the difference between miracle and eureka, revelation and revolution
Le Guin's storytelling is sharp, magisterial, funny, thought-provoking and exciting, exhibiting all that science fiction can be
Le Guin is a writer of phenomenal power
All stars
Most relevant
Amazingly refreshing view on the human experience. I'm very happy there are more books written by the same mind.

Didn't like that part when it ended

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I liked this book. It talks about a many interesting subjects such as anarchy and the fact that Utopias are not perfect. The narration was just OK. It was too fast and so I had to slow it down in audible which was not better either.

Good but narration could be better

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such timely issues, so beautifully written. the honesty between the main couple was particularly touching. wonderful book.

incredible

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Loved the political dialogues. Some of the characterisation feels a little stilted. Will read others in the series.

Reverse utopian fiction

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A kind of book that strikes you with the need for reflection about your inate and values imposed onto you every second paragraph.
I will have to re-listen to it many times over to get everything Le Guin has to offer.

Just brilliant. Mind-boggling.

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