We

by Yevgeny Zamyatin
We cover
Good Books rating 3.67
Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic
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  • ID: 7890
  • Added: 2025-12-18
  • Updated: 2025-12-31
  • ISBN: 9780486847276
  • Publisher: Courier Dover Publications
  • Published: 2021-04-14
  • Formats: 7
  • Reviews: 3

Set in a unified totalitarian state, 'We' explores a society where humans are identified by numbers and conformity is the only law. D-503, a spaceship engineer, begins to question the system he once believed in, leading to a thrilling and thought-provoking journey. /n/n This novel delves into themes of individuality, freedom, and the consequences of absolute conformity, making it a compelling read for fans of dystopian fiction. The narrative is both intense and introspective, offering a unique perspective on a world stripped of personal identity.

Reviews
SciFiMind · 2025-12-18
excellent 4.50

The book is vivid and gripping, exploring profound questions about human life, freedom, and imagination. It is a compelling and thought-provoking read.

The reviewer was captivated by 'We', describing it as vivid and gripping. They praised the book for its exploration of profound questions about what makes human life worth living, the nature of freedom, and the power of imagination. The narrative's depth and complexity make it a compelling read. They appreciated how the book challenges the reader to think deeply about these themes, making it a thought-provoking and memorable experience. The reviewer found the book to be both entertaining and intellectually stimulating, recommending it to those who enjoy thought-provoking science fiction.

Quick quotes

    It's not only vivid and gripping to read, it also grapples with the basic questions of what makes human life worth living, what freedom and imagination are all ...

    The narrative's depth and complexity make it a compelling read.

    The book challenges the reader to think deeply about these themes, making it a thought-provoking and memorable experience.

Indiependent · 2024-07-22
mixed 2.50

The prose is criticized for being simple and under-edited, with frequent exchanges of little consequence. Despite its flaws, the book's themes and ideas are engaging and thought-provoking.

The reviewer found the prose of 'We' to be underwhelming, describing it as simple and under-edited. This makes for a somewhat mundane reading experience, with many exchanges that feel inconsequential. However, they acknowledged that the book's themes and ideas are compelling and thought-provoking. The narrative's strengths lie in its exploration of complex ideas, even if the execution sometimes falls flat. They appreciated the book's attempt to grapple with significant questions about human life and freedom, which makes it a worthwhile read despite its literary shortcomings.

Quick quotes

    Its prose, which teeters between simple and under edited, is mundane.

    Exchanges of little consequence are frequent while narrative ...

    The book's themes and ideas are engaging and thought-provoking.

Nina Munteanu · Nina Munteanu · 2023-07-02
great 4.00

The book is a profound exploration of nature and humanity, blending humor and seriousness. It is a significant work that invites deep reflection.

Nina Munteanu highlighted the dual nature of 'We', describing it as both jesting and serious. They appreciated the book's profound exploration of nature and humanity, finding it to be a significant work that invites deep reflection. The reviewer noted that the book's themes are timely and relevant, offering insights into the human condition. They praised Zamyatin's ability to blend humor and seriousness, making the book both engaging and thought-provoking. The reviewer found the book to be a valuable contribution to literature, recommending it to those who enjoy thought-provoking and introspective reads.

Quick quotes

    Zamyatin called We 'my most jesting and most serious work.'

    His credo, written in 1921 in I am Afraid, proclaimed that 'true literature can ...'

    The book's themes are timely and relevant, offering insights into the human condition.

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