We
A dystopian exploration of love, freedom, and societal control
Yevgeny Zamyatin author Bela Shayevich translator Margaret Atwood editor
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Canongate Books
Published:7th Oct '21
Should be back in stock very soon
This paperback is available in another edition too:
- Hardback£14.99(9781838850586)
In We, a dystopian society challenges the notion of happiness through surveillance and control, ultimately exploring themes of love and freedom.
In We, a groundbreaking translation of a seminal dystopian novel, we are introduced to the One State, a seemingly utopian society governed by the enlightened Benefactor. This city, predominantly constructed of glass, embodies a world where surveillance is omnipresent and life is meticulously orchestrated by algorithmic regulations designed to ensure absolute happiness. D-503, the Builder and a model citizen, navigates this controlled existence until he encounters I-330, a woman who challenges his perceptions of love, freedom, and individuality.
As D-503's interactions with I-330 deepen, he begins to question the very foundations of his society. The story unfolds as a compelling exploration of the tension between conformity and rebellion, delving into themes of control, power dynamics, and the human spirit's resilience. The novel serves as both a cautionary tale and a source of inspiration, resonating with contemporary issues surrounding surveillance and autonomy.
We stands as a pivotal work in the realm of dystopian literature, influencing notable authors like George Orwell and Aldous Huxley. This new translation, introduced by Margaret Atwood, revitalizes the narrative, offering readers a fresh perspective on its radical ideas of societal structure, human desires, and the quest for freedom. It invites reflection on the balance between technological advancement and the essence of humanity.
The best single work of science fiction yet written -- URSULA K. LE GUIN
Two of the most iconic novels in the English language - Brave New World by Aldous Huxley and 1984 by George Orwell - owe an enormous debt to Zamyatin. We is the ur-text of science-fiction dystopias . . . the product of a powerful imagination * * Wall Street Journal * *
The prototype . . . Zamyatin is a major artist * * New York Times * *
This new edition, which contains Orwell's review as well as an introduction by Margaret Atwood, an afterword by Ursula Le Guin and an absorbing comment by the translator Bela Shayevich, who grew up in the former Soviet Union, will be the definitive version in English for the foreseeable future * * New Statesman * *
[A] fine new translation . . . In a market of competing editions . . . Shayevich's stands out, and for very good reason . . . truly excellent . . . Shayevich's [translation] retains the novel's bold, jagged, elemental energy [and] remains true to the spirit of the work in a way that the author himself would have applauded * * Times Literary Supplement * *
A seminal dystopian classic . . . This timely and thoughtful edition is a fitting tribute to book of lasting influence
* * Irish Times * *It is in effect a study of the Machine, the genie that man has thoughtlessly let out of its bottle and cannot put back again -- GEORGE ORWELL
ISBN: 9781838852368
Dimensions: 198mm x 129mm x 17mm
Weight: 224g
304 pages
Main - Canons