A look inside “The Dispossessed” by Ursula K. Le Guin

Anais' Annotations

Science fiction – it is a label most commonly associated with films like “Star Wars” and the image of little green men beaming down from outer space. This genre encompasses a wide range of fiction, including elements of speculative, dystopian and fantasy literature. In reading “The Dispossessed” (1974), I found many of the classic elements of science fiction to be present. Still, I cannot say I thought of it as a particularly good read. 

As a disclaimer, I have to say, I am not much of a sci-fi person in the first place. However, I thought I would try branching out a little bit with my reading and see if I could find some pieces I enjoyed. So far, I have not, so I am starting to think this just might not be the genre for me. 

With this work, I found it was not the aspects of alien life or futuristic governments that bothered me; rather, I just could not get myself to like the main character, Shevek. I think readers are meant to like him, as he is presented as someone with a kind of sad backstory, but he perpetually makes poor decisions that push himself and others into the line of fire. Furthermore, he has no accountability for his actions. 

I find it difficult with a work like this to separate the plot from the character because this is a very character-driven story. It is also told from Shevek’s perspective, meaning even if other characters are realizing he is in the wrong, does. 

Aside from my personal problems with Shevek, the novel’s backdrop is quite well done. The idea is supposed to be that the moon was converted into a penal colony that ended up becoming a utopic government with flourishing life. Despite this, people on Earth, now called Urras, do not necessarily view those on Anarres, the moon colony, as equals.

Sometimes, they do not consider those from the moon to be people at all. 

This setting forces readers to ask difficult questions about xenophobia and prejudice. I thought this aspect of the work was not only compelling to the story structure, but it also gives readers something to think about. “The Dispossessed” is more sharply focused than your typical little green men stories, and this comes from basing it on deeper thought. 

Despite having all the ground laid for a great piece, I think the narrative structure of this novel is what makes it a pacing nightmare. The chapters alternate between contemporary Shevek and past Shevek, with the past chapters each capturing a different phase of his life. This is a cool concept ...  in theory. 

Rating: 5/10

However, Le Guin’s particular amount of detail is the downfall of this structure. Because of the heavy details and word-for-word construction, this work feels like it drags on forever. I think some of this could be helped if the chapters were broken down into smaller chunks. It sometimes feels like harping on the same thing over and over again because they are so long, especially the flashback chapters. 

Le Guin and “The Dispossessed” helped to redefine the genre of science fiction as something more than just alien invasions and star stories. This is a fact I cannot ignore, although I would argue that this novel is not the best place for someone looking to get into science fiction to start. On the basis of its interesting themes and the nature of involved reading but subtracting points for Shevek and having to chew through the pages, I give this book a 5 out of 10.