What’s your favorite book that nobody else has heard of? You know, not Little Women or Huckleberry Finn, not the latest best-seller . . . whether they’ve read them or not, everybody “knows” those books. I’m talking about the best book that, when you tell people that you love it, they go, “Huh? Never heard of it?”
My answer:
We by Yevgeny Zamyatin (in my Top 10 of 2007)
This book was written in the 1920′s by Russian author Yevgeny Zamyatin. It’s a dystopian novel that precedes 1984 and Brave New World and influenced both. People are numbers instead of names. They live in glass apartments. Emotions aren’t allowed. My kind of reading! Seriously, dystopians are a favorite of mine, so if you’re interested in that genre as well, you might like this book.
A favorite quote:
You will subjugate the unknown beings on other planets, who may still be living in the primitive condition of freedom, to the benificent yoke of reason. If they fail to understand that we bring them mathematically infallible happiness, it will be our duty to compel them to be happy. But before resorting to arms, we shall try the power of words.
This book sounds very interesting. I’ll have to look it up in the library. Thanks!
After reading, The Handmaid’s Tale, I too am into dystopian literature. I read 1984 and brave new world a long time ago.
Too funny! My husband and I just read “We” last summer and were talking about it last night. It is a really interesting book. Hard to believe it’s nearly 90 years old! I can’t remember how I heard about it. I think I was reading about dystopian literature in general, and it came up that “We” was one of the very first.
Great choice!
Lezlie
I’ll have to look this one up. I read A Brave New World and 1984 eons ago… it will be interesting to see one of the earliest examples of this genre.
I’ve never heard of this author, but this book sounds interesting. Thanks for the recommendation!
Haven’t read it but it sounds worthwhile. I have seen it around but never picked it up.
This sounds like a good one! I need to check this one out!
I enjoy Russian literature and am fascinated by dystopias so this sounds like one for me – thanks!
My husband reminded me of this yesterday when I told him about this post: The Pet Shop Boys have a song inspired by “We”. It’s called “Integral” and can be found on their CD “Fundamental”. It’s an amazing song, and it’s freaky how they completely captured the mood of the novel. If you have a chance, check it out!
Lezlie
This sounds pretty interesting, I’m going to add it to my wish list. I too enjoyed 1984 and The Handmaid’s Tale, so hopefully I will enjoy We as well, thanks!
Lezlie, I’ll have to look up that song!