The Dispossessed spoiler thread

[Carter]

I'm only 20 pages in but already have a line that may hold up as my favorite. Not even sure why it tickled me so much. From page 9 (of my edition, at least):

"There were several completely mysterious electrical devices connected with the washstand, and the water valve did not cut off when you released the faucet but kept pouring out until shut off -- a sign, Shevek thought, either of great faith in human nature, or of great quantitites of hot water."

[elihoughton]

I finished a few weeks ago. Anyone else done? What did you think? As expected, I loved it. I thought everything she wrote was well thought out. Do you think her idea of a society without ownership or jails would work?

[frogs8myhome]

This was a good pick. I do not read a lot of sci fi and would probably not have gone back to the 70's for any choices. I think it does frame things with heavy influence of the problems of the day (soviet union, blatant pollution, oiled up people tanning to very dark on the beach, and the empowerment of women) These issues are relevant today but I think many people have moved from the stark right/wrong or black/white or good/evil to a more nuanced view of things. Actually, much credit to LeGuin for developing thoughtful characters and balancing her approach to the problems even in that context. I liked it better than any of the last three!

[Schlomo]

As this book was my suggestion, I was initially really excited for everyone to read it (and the ensuing discussion)...

Since then, I've raised the topic of the book to a number of people in the club (including at last month's meeting) and have yet to find a single person who intends to read it. So... I'm pretty damn bummed right now, to say the least.

It's really nice to see at least a couple people were willing to read it (and, moreover, enjoyed it).

[dirtworship]

Since I like to wait and read the books closer to our meeting, I've only just begun, but at 100 pages in, I'm enjoying it. Perhaps a bit heavy handed with the moral exposition (versus character exposition). But I like the ideas enough, and Shevek is likeable enough, to keep me reading.

Maybe it's because my last read was on Buddhism, but I am sensing that the anarchism of Odo is a variant of the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. But we'll see.

Carter, that was indeed a great quote. My own funny moment came from a misprint on page 28, when we have just started the flashback chapter, working on Speaking-and-Listening. "The first volunteer, a lanky eighty-year-old with long hands and feet, stood up." 80?!?!?! I spent a good amount of time forming assumptions about how this society treats the elderly, grouping them in with--and as--children and making excuses for how wisdom gets passed down.

It wasn't until the director stood "twice as tall" that I had a clue maybe this was all confusion based on a stray "y."
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Fnord

[dirtworship]

I liked it. As moralistic as just about any sci-fi, but I guess I'm nerd enough to want to find out more about these other worlds.

Also nerd enough to be put off by the number of typos. After 30 years, don't you think they'd catch them all?
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Fnord

[JeffKamin]

http://www.bookclubgirl.com/

[Carter]

I'm just posting this here since it is a thread for a sci fi book.

Did anyone else hear that the Sci Fi Channel is changing their name to SyFy? They couldn't copyright "Sci Fi" because it is a genre, so they are going with something they can copyright and brand.

PU-LEASE!