Short, precise, not always easy to grasp, this little novel inspired writers like George Orwell, Aldous Huxley, perhaps even Ayn Rand (?) to write their own dystopian novels of life in a totalitarian regime. The difference here is this author was actually living in a time and place (1920's Petrograd) where the hideous experiment in a soul-less government was actually taking form. The novel was Zamaytin's warning to his fellow citizens of where that experiment - if taken to it's logical conclusion - could end. Chilling. Interestingly, the author, a trained engineer, used concepts from an actual American engineer name F. Winslow Taylor, a human efficiency expert, in developing his concept for the novel. A very unique read. Highly recommended.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This is the right book--the right edition, size, and good translation, even compared to Mirra Ginzburg.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I wanted to read this book when I learned that it had heavily influenced George Orwell's "1984", which is a favorite of mine. Although it does have many similarities to Orwell's work, it is also very different. Zamyatin has a very poetic, colorful style that grabs your interest and keeps it throughout the entire book. The main character is a mathmetician working on a ship that is going to embark on an interplanetary mission to convert all civilizations to the ideals of "The One State". Though the book is about something terrible (an all powerful, thought policing worldwide government) it is a joy to read and it doesn't get you down and depressed like many novels of the same theme do. It is science fiction, a love story, a political commentary, and a battle against oneself all in one. I recommend this book to anyone and everyone.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I bought this because a student of mine recommended it. I have an interest in well-written sci-fi and this was supposedly better than Orwell's 1984 and Huxley's Brave New World. I was pleasantly surprised and found myself unable to put the book down. Plus it got me thinking. Worth a read, and possibly a second.
I purchased the book for my son in a college honors class. He told me that he really liked this book out of the 11 they were required to read. Thanks.
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