Subtle. :rofl:

I think that this is a good example of "soft" science fiction. Personally, I feel that it is inferior to The Left Hand of Darkness which so effectively explores gender stereotypes and has a more interestingly developed plot and (IMHO) characters who are much more sympathetic.

Still The Dispossessed does analyse two opposing political philosophies in a science-fiction framework with some skill and with very fine writing. It's just that I find its plot too static and too long but that's a matter of taste.

I agree. As much as I enjoyed reading The Dispossessed, I still think The Left Hand of Darkness is better. I also thoroughly enjoyed The Word for World is Forest.

I really liked the book. At first I was wary of a perfect utopia but it was quite nuanced with problems in each society. I don't feel that Anarres is anywhere near realistic and I could easily see such a scenario devolving quickly, but nevertheless I admit that it's the first communistic scenario I've ever imagined that somewhat enchanted me, and it made me feel that if I lived there I too might actually want to live like that.

I think I read somewhere that that wasn't originally a subtitle. After it started to be referred to as such, it was then decided to officially include it.

This looks interesting!

There is also a short story about Odo, "The Day Before the Revolution."

I've read it. Much better than The Dispossessed.