Chapters 1 - 2 & Introductions

[Kitty G Books]

This thread is for initial thoughts and discussion of chapters 1 and 2 of The Dispossessed by Ursula K Le Guin. Let us all know who you are and why you're excited to join in with reading this book below!

*** As always, if you're going to spoil anything please remember to use the Spoiler tags ((click on '(some html is okay)', copy in the spoiler tags, remove the '...' and write out the spoiler-y stuff where it was and everything inside the tag will automatically be hidden)) ***

* Don't forget the hashtag for this readalong if you're using Twitter/Instagram - #TheDispossessed17 *

A few questions to start us off:
- Who are you and why are you joining in?
- Have you read any other Le Guin books?
- What are you hoping for from this read?
- How were the opening chapters for you?

[CallMeSensei]

Who are you and why are you joining in?
Hi, I'm Jordan. I was watching Kitty G's new years resolutions and saw that there was a The Dispossessed buddy read. I've had that on my shelves for a while now and thought it would be good motivation to read it.

Have you read any other Le Guin books?
I have. I read The Left Hand of Darkness several years ago and loved it! I also have A Wizard of Earthsea which I'd really love to get to soon.

What are you hoping for from this read?
Eerm, I don't really remember the plot for this one. But if I remember anything about The Left Hand of Darkness, it's how Le Guin takes a fascinating concept or idea and turns it into a compelling story. All I really want is to fall in love with a new book.

How were the opening chapters for you?
I don't yet... I'll come back to this.

[Kitty G Books]

Initial thoughts:
Upon starting this read through I knew I was probably going to get sucked in quickly (and that has certainly been the case). The book begins by introducing the idea of two planets that orbit each other like moons. This already seems like a cool concept. Just as we have managed to put a man on our moon, these people manage to set up whole worlds on their and even have a trade and such.

The main character at first seemed a little aloof and distant to me, I think that works with the fact that he doesn't really know what he's going towards or what he's leaving behind.

The set up of his society on his planet is SO regimented... Why???

Looking forward to seeing how these two cultures merge or clash as the story goes on and also seeing what he is hoping to discover there...

[Kitty G Books]

Just the very first sentence - There was a wall - is so ominous... later it says, 'The wall shut in not only the landing field but the ships that came down out of space, and the men that came on the ships, and the worlds they came from, and the rest of the universe...It enclosed the Universe leaving Anarres outside, free.'

I wonder if this planet really is free or if it's not quite as free as some would have them believe!