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The Dispossessed

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The Dispossessed

By: Ursula K. Le Guin
Narrated by: Roddy Doyle, Tim Treloar
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About this listen

One of the very best must-listen 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

©2019 Ursula K. Le Guin (P)2019 Orion Publishing Group Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Metaphysical & Visionary Political Science Fiction Thought-Provoking Scary Socialism

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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)
All stars
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The Dispossessed is a fantastic layered book. It is what science-fiction should be, an exploration of modern concepts and social dynamics through believable fantasy. Tim Treloar's narration is brilliant too, he has such a variety of voices and his regular reading voice surprised me with how compelling it was. Considering that this is included with Audible Plus, I would rate this as nothing other than absolutely essential

One of the greatest SF novels of all time

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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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One of my all-time favourite books, I was concerned the audiobook would not live up to my recollection. However, it is one of the best performed audiobooks I have bought. I recommend this audiobook to anyone, not just SF lovers. It is so full of heart, wisdom, politics, ideas and humour, all set within a well-paced and plotted story. It is as relevant today as it was in 1974. I was just sad it had to end.

A superb rendidtion of a true classic

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At the beginning I wasn’t sure about the voice since I was expecting a woman but I grew fonder and fonder of it. Truly a masterpiece in all its formars

I only wish there were more chapters!

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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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Really intriguing, great story. Describing the anguish of a principled creative mind of the theoretical physicist Shevek as he seeks to make his breakthrough. All with the backdrop of the culture and environment that shaped him and contrast between parallel worlds. An exploration and critique of society.

Shevek is a really interesting and compelling character, I'd highly recommended this book.

More than SciFi a imagining of alternative society

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listening to this more than ten years after I first read it, I am still surprised by it's relevance. An incredible classic work of speculative fiction.

An incredible, classic work

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This is a brilliant book. Story is engaging. Contains a lot of food for thought. I expect it’ll lend itself well to rereading

One of the best books I’ve read

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A brilliant exposition of how anarchism leads (inevitably?) to the tyranny of socialism. Great characters. Vivid descriptions of other worlds, their polarised societies (capitalist/socialist; rich/poor), and the inevitable politics of human life. Excellent performances. I will read it again.

anarchism for dummies

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Loved Roddy Doyle’s intro, have now listened to whole book 3 times as am studying for literature module on OU degree course, but I’ve loved it so much .. and initially it was Roddy’s intro that gave me the urge to read on with some guidance

Superb book and made by the narration

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