The Dispossessed

[The Wanderer]

Originally Posted by Esioul

I read some short stories by her, and they did seem a little bit feminist... but I'ma feminist so it didn't upset me

I haven't read the Dispossessed but I've heard of it, so I ought to. (Always seem to be saying that about books).

I belive she's a Humanist, perhaps with Femenist Leanings, but not say like Margaret Atwood etc

[CBellenis]

Not sure how anyone female can manage not to be a feminist - ditto men really, in the same way as any rational human being can condemn the slave trade...ho hum!

But Anarchism is the thing with the Dispossed, if we were all secure enough to allow true equality. She explores the concept in fiction better than I've ever read before or since.
Much of her other work is 'what if sexuality were otherwise? How would we be?' and her answers are intriguing.

[Quokka]

Just finished The Dispossessed recently and thoroughly enjoyed it. It did leave me wondering though, Le Guin's anarchism is placed in physical and cultural isolation, could it have survived if it was as an independant state on Urras as opposed to a seperate moon/planet?

[Thadlerian]

Originally Posted by CBellenis

Not sure how anyone female can manage not to be a feminist - ditto men really

That's easy. A woman sufficently socialized in a patriarchal society, rarely given the opportunity to develop critical thought, will fight against feminist ideals that threaten the world-order she has grown up with and learned to call her own. When oppression of you is a fact of your existence, it will not seem a result of other people's power abuse, but "the way things are".

[j. d. worthington]

Originally Posted by Thadlerian

That's easy. A woman sufficently socialized in a patriarchal society, rarely given the opportunity to develop critical thought, will fight against feminist ideals that threaten the world-order she has grown up with and learned to call her own. When oppression of you is a fact of your existence, it will not seem a result of other people's power abuse, but "the way things are".

Agreed. And, however horrific the norm is, for you it is the norm. Anything that promises change to what you are familiar with tends to be threatening... even if it is to improve the quality of your life a thousandfold.....

[Mirela]

The Dispossessed” is no doubt an amazing book with a constructive critique towards past and current sociological, economical and political problems.
I loved the way Le Guin has elaborated the problem of capitalism by describing the feelings of Dr Shevek while he as walking through the street full of stores; full of people obsessed with buying things, obsessed with BUYING CLOTHES. I JUST LOVE IT!
Every page of the book is worth of great discussion.
I loved the way she describes the problem of scientists-researchers, even they are not let to express themselves as they think they should, be it in anarchy or a capitalistic society. The search for perfection is useless.
And again, if you do not cope in with your society, you are a lunatic, a traitor, unsuccessful.
Do you think it will change? Do you think people will ever be free finally! Ridiculous! Free of what, who!? Free from him self - THE PEOPLE! We have built a really comic society.
Dr Shevek deserves to exist-it is worth the try!
“The Dispossessed” is definitely one of my favorite books; it is really satisfying to have read it…

[CiteWizard]

Calling ULG a feminist is a bit too simplistic. She certainly went through a "feminist" phase, but you have got to realize that she has been writing for a long long time and has developed and changed her political and social views through her writing. This can be seen somewhat in the "space" novels and more clearly in the Earthsea series. Overall however, having read most of her work, I see her as being more interested in exploring human societies, social structures and different ways that humans interact, for good or bad. In short, I see her as a very humane writer who wants to get us to see our own true nature, and that we are diverse in so many ways (race, gender, politics etc) but that we have to try to understand and accept each other.
I think these broad themes unite most of her work.
Her Buddhist outlook contributes a lot to her themes as well.
But if you want a simple racy story... try Eddings instead.

[Uraeus]

Definiteley a very good book.