The chapters in The Dispossessed alternate between the events after Shevek’s arrival on Urras, on the one hand, and his life on Anarres from his youth up until his departure, on the other. In addition, his act asserts that individual will must be allowed to reign in a truly revolutionary society he hopes that his actions will spur dialogue and change on Anarres. Shevek, an independent thinker who founds the Syndicate of Initiative, travels to the state of A-Io, a country on Urras, despite his countrymen’s disapproval and even protest, in the hopes of creating more exchange between the two societies. Upon settling Urras, Odinians refused contact with their former home, the planet Anarres: the only exchange between the planets occurs as mined goods are sent from Anarres to Urras electronics, petroleum, and other engineered supplies are sent to Anarres in return. Shevek is an Odinian physicist from the planet of Urras, a socialist planet without a central government that follows the teachings of the revolutionary Odo. 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.The Dispossessed tells the story of its protagonist Shevek’s journey from his home on a desolate, isolated moon to the abundant planet around which his society revolves.

To visit Urras-to learn, to teach, to share-will require great sacrifice and risks, which Shevek willingly accepts.

He will seek answers, question the unquestionable, and attempt to tear down the walls of hatred that have kept them apart. Now Shevek, a brilliant physicist, is determined to reunite the two planets, which have been divided by centuries of distrust. Le Guin comes a classic tale of two planets torn apart by conflict and mistrust - and the man who risks everything to reunite them.Ī 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. “One of the greats….Not just a science fiction writer a literary icon.” – Stephen Kingįrom the brilliant and award-winning author Ursula K.

The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin