45 pages • 1 hour read
Yevgeny ZamyatinWe
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1921A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In the future authoritarian society of the One State, D-503, chief builder of the rocket Integral, which aims to bring other planets into the mathematically perfect happiness of the One State, is swayed from his loyalty by I-330, a woman who challenges him to break societal rules, leading him into a world of emotional turmoil and rebellion. The book contains depictions of execution and torture.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Zamyatin's We is celebrated for its pioneering dystopian vision, prefiguring Orwell and Huxley. Reviewers praise its imaginative narrative and critique of totalitarianism. However, some find its prose dense and characters underdeveloped. Mixed perspectives highlight its historical significance but note potential challenges for modern readers.
Who Should Read We?
Readers who enjoy dystopian literature like George Orwell's 1984 or Aldous Huxley's Brave New World would be captivated by Yevgeny Zamyatin's We. This novel appeals to those fascinated by themes of totalitarianism, individualism vs. collectivism, and the human spirit's resilience against oppressive regimes.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsLexile Level
800LBook Details
Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction
Russian Literature
Life/Time: The Future
Society: Politics & Government
Values/Ideas: Power & Greed