Reviews

We by Yevgeny Zamyatin

bruinuclafan's review against another edition

3.0

As the inspiration for 1984, I was eager to see what this book had to offer. While it is a good book, it is totally different from what I expected. Sure, it has the authoritarian state, but it is presented quite differently. For one, the book is a series of recordings or notes from the main character, D-503. These notes are presented from his point of view in a sort of rambling and disjointed stream-of-consciousness. I think it is very effective, but the the side effect is that the plot is hard to follow.

I won't give away the plot, but suffice to say We paints a very dark picture of human existence. If I had to sum it up, I'd say it is a sketch or impression of a dystopian world. An interesting read for sure.

miekki_paz's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

jcoryv's review against another edition

3.0

I see how this could have inspired Brave New World or 1984, but I just didn’t like it much.

kmv1035's review against another edition

mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

alicemorrison1029's review against another edition

challenging dark tense fast-paced

• Strong character development? It's complicated

4.25

rhysb's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

5.0

mhanson101's review against another edition

dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.5

chucklesq's review against another edition

challenging slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

The premise is interesting and it’s clear to see the influence on other great dystopian books such as 1984 but it’s so incredibly hard to read!! It’s the closest I’ve come to a DNF, but powered through despite not really understanding most of the plot in the last quarter. 

sarahjo142's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Always good to read the foundational works of a genre (this being a foundation for sci-fi and dystopian novels). Was hard to follow sometimes, but overall a gripping journey with very important themes. I think I’m used to a bit more world building in my books, which was not very present in this one, but that’s more of a personal preference. Will definitely have to revisit this one in the future to get a better grip on it.

jane_marduk's review against another edition

challenging tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0