Editors’ Pick
Designed to Feel by Peter Burchardt
Designed to Feelby Peter Burchardt — on emotions, evolution & the science of feeling
View on Amazon →
Cover of The Dispossessed
Science Fiction· United States

The Dispossessed

by Ursula K. Le Guin
Aggregate Editorial Score83/100
★Hugo Award★Nebula Award
Published 1975352 pagesEnglish
Buy on Amazon →

About This Book

Published in 1975, The Dispossessed established Ursula K. Le Guin as one of the defining voices in science fiction. A physicist on an anarchist moon travels to its capitalist sister planet in search of scientific freedom in Le Guin's Hugo and Nebula Award–winning novel. 'The Dispossessed' is subtitled 'An Ambiguous Utopia' and is one of science fiction's most serious and sustained explorations of political philosophy. Themes of anarchism, physics, utopia run through the work. The book has received recognition from Hugo Award 1975 and Nebula Award 1975.

Book Details

AuthorUrsula K. Le Guin
Published1975
Country of Origin🇺🇸 United States
LanguageEnglish
Pages352
Category🚀 Science Fiction
ISBN9780061054884
Editorial Score83/100
About the Category

🚀 Science Fiction

Speculative fiction exploring technology, space, the future, and society.

Explore all Science Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇺🇸 United States

This book is part of United States's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from United States →

Editorial Assessment

Ursula K. Le Guin published The Dispossessed in 1975, and it has since become one of the more widely recognised works of science fiction from United States. The book's treatment of anarchism, physics, utopia, freedom accounts for much of its enduring reputation. Among its recognitions: Hugo Award 1975; Nebula Award 1975. With an editorial score of 83/100 drawn from 2 independent sources, the book occupies a well-documented position in the critical literature. Its recognition spans international prizes, "best of" lists, and academic surveys. The appeal of The Dispossessed lies partly in its refusal to offer easy answers. Its exploration of anarchism, physics, utopia, freedom is sustained, textured, and genuinely thought-provoking in ways that stay with readers well after the final page. Ursula K. Le Guin's role in the literature of United States is well established. The Dispossessed can be read as both a standalone achievement and as part of a broader national literary conversation about identity, history, and the possibilities of narrative form.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 2 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

Hugo Award
winner · genre
197542
Nebula Award
winner · genre
197542
✍️
About the Author
Ursula K. Le Guin
United States
View Author →

Ursula K. Le Guin is a celebrated author from United States known for influential works of science fiction.

Designed to Feel
Bestseller by Peter Burchardt
Designed to Feel
Why Evolution Built Your Emotions, and How to Make Them Work for You
“The most eye-opening book on emotions I’ve ever read.”
Get It on Amazon →Paperback & Kindle

What to Read Next

Cover of The Road
literary-fiction

The Road

Cormac McCarthy· 2007
★Pulitzer Prize★Hugo Award
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of Never Let Me Go
literary-fiction

Never Let Me Go

Kazuo Ishiguro· 2017
★Nobel Prize in Literature
Editorial Score91/100
Cover of The Power
science-fiction

The Power

Naomi Alderman· 2016
★Women's Prize for Fiction
Editorial Score90/100
Cover of The Blind Assassin
literary-fiction

The Blind Assassin

Margaret Atwood· 2000
★Women's Prize for Fiction
Editorial Score82/100
Cover of Ender's Game
science-fiction

Ender's Game

Orson Scott Card· 1986
★Hugo Award★Nebula Award
Editorial Score82/100
Cover of The Left Hand of Darkness
science-fiction

The Left Hand of Darkness

Ursula K. Le Guin· 1970
★Hugo Award★Nebula Award
Editorial Score81/100

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Dispossessed about?

A physicist on an anarchist moon travels to its capitalist sister planet in search of scientific freedom in Le Guin's Hugo and Nebula Award–winning novel. 'The Dispossessed' is subtitled 'An Ambiguous Utopia' and is one of science fiction's most serious and sustained explorations of political philosophy.

Who wrote The Dispossessed?

The Dispossessed was written by Ursula K. Le Guin, from United States. First published in 1975.

What awards has The Dispossessed won?

The Dispossessed has received the following awards and honours: Hugo Award 1975; Nebula Award 1975.

Is The Dispossessed worth reading?

The Dispossessed is a widely acclaimed work with strong critical consensus, with an aggregate editorial score of 78/100 on 50 Best Books, based on mentions across 2 editorial sources. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in anarchism, physics, utopia.

Where can I buy The Dispossessed?

You can buy The Dispossessed on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is The Dispossessed?

The Dispossessed is classified as Science Fiction. Speculative fiction exploring technology, space, the future, and society.

What country is The Dispossessed from?

The Dispossessed originates from United States's literary tradition. Explore more books from United States on our country page.

Popular on 50 Best Books

Best Science Fiction Books of All TimeScience FictionBooker Prize Winners — Complete List & GuideLiterary PrizesNobel Prize in Literature — Every Winner Since 1901Literary PrizesClassic Literature Reading List — 50 Essential BooksReading GuidesBest Books for Beginners — 20 Easy Reads for New BookloversReading Guides

Explore More

🚀More Science FictionBrowse all Science Fiction books🇺🇸Books from United States🇺🇸 United States literature📅1970s BooksPublished in the 1970s🏆Top 50 RankingsThe greatest books of all time