We by Zamyatin

We by Yevgeny Zamyatin

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Modern Library (July 11, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-13: 978-0812974621
• Language: Russian (originally)
• Genre(s): Dystopian Novel, Science Fiction

This novel was originally written by Zamyatin during 1920-1921, and paints an interesting picture of a dystopian totalitarian state. The tale itself centers around D-503, a cipher of the One State, and is written in almost a journal entry style.

The One State, a world where buildings are created of glass and the Guardians/Spies can watch every ciphers movement and behaviors. Daily life is regimented by a time table that clearly lays out how each Cipher is to expend their time in the most efficient way and is the most beneficial to the one state. D-503, as stated previously, is a cipher of the One State. He is a mathematician who is working on building the Integral, a spaceship designed to help the One State conquer the universe. The book is actually a record that he plans to send along inside the Integral during it's maiden voyage. During the course of the novel he becomes entangled with a female cipher who he develops an obsessiveness for and may or may not be his undoing.

I found the novel to be a quiet enjoyable read and rather intriguing, but as I have stated before I enjoy dystopian literature. Although at times the novel seemed a bit dry and the ending seemed a little forced and possibly even quite predictable I would recommend this to anyone who enjoyed Orwell's 1984.

The Windup Girl and next read

This is just a quick update, finished the WindUp girl on the 1st and started to type up the post.. That should hopefully be up by tomorrow. The next read is actually from the 1001 books to read before you die list and a selection for the shelfari group dedicated to that list. The book is We by Yevgeny Zamyatin.





If I get to read like I want to I should have this and Dorian Grey finished by the end of this week along with the posts related to them.


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Finally an update...ftw

Alright guys after a long sabbatical due to reasons I cannot explain thoroughly at this time I come bearing good news....



A new review and updated reviews will follow soon. This book was actually ordered and sat on my to be read pile for a bit. To my surprise it is a selection for my science fiction reading group's book of the month...along with a previously reviewed book The Hunger Games





You can see the review in a previous post. Also this is being turned into a movie with a tentative release date in 2013... And for Geek out purposes I would just like to share a Hot Topic find.




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Audio Books:....

I am still struggling with the notion of audio books, I had briefly listened to a few classics many winters ago while living in Nebraska, but as I've moved back to Ca..I find that I just don't listen to them.  I ended up getting an Audible account and to this day only downloaded one book.  So now i sit here with 7 audible credits that I'm trying to find books I'm willing to give a chance to.  I don't know why I cannot get through them.  

On a side note I have been reading but not been updating the blog.  A lot of it stems from my staying away from my pc.  I promise dear readers that I will get myself back on track...

autobiographies.. destroy the myth of heros in our mind..

Now I remember why I usually refrain from reading autobiographies about some of my favorite writers.  The myth and ideal of them I keep in my mind about them from their writing is always so much better then coming to terms with tragic faults of one's hero. Esp. in the context of Salinger and Kerouac... they go from being hero.. to their human roots when the myth of them is destroyed by the errors of their lives.. to be honest although it does change my opinion of them it does not make them any less my literary heroes ....